Aaron

Hey there folks, I have not been writing much, but I have been sitting here watching yall write many days. I just wanted to share with you what I consider a great success. After 6 years of leather work, I quit being scared and finally made myself a saddle. I have been researching it for a long time and gathering the materials to educate myself. I have not ridden a horse in years, but figured that this would be the ultimate challenge and have wanted to make one since I started working with leather. Any constructive criticizms would be great- but if you just want to nit -pick, then go make your own dang saddle.

I tried downloading pictures last night, but no dice on that. I did forget to mention that I am from Lawton, Oklahoma, and would be more than happy to know other leather workers from this area. It is always fun to have someone else over that shares your interests and can appreciate your workshop. These pictures are both of work done within the last year. The first is the USDA seal that I did for my dad as a wall hanging. He retires this year and I am away on business. The other picture is just a 5" carving of a gorilla that I am very impressed that I actually did. It is part of a much larger sign that if I posted pictures of the whole thing, the details could not be seen. Even though this picture is mostly swivel cuts, I really love how the whole Gorilla turned out. Hope Yall enjoy, and let me know if anyone is from around here. Aaron

Max I have that Stohlman mallet you are talking about from Tandy. It gave me a couple of good years until I found something I like much better. I recently was in another store and the folks there let me use a 1lb Barry King Tapered Maul. I had seen mauls before, but was reluctant because it did not look user friendly to me. I figured one wack and the Maul would glance off to the side with god knows what kind of results. I was wrong. I loved it and fell right in with it. I did not need to "get used to it" or learn anything new to impliment it beautifuly. Like I said, I have nothing at all against the Stohlman Mallet, I still have mine and am sure I will use it more on certain things... but I am now a huge fan of the Maul. Hope this helps, let me know if you have any questions. Aaron

In my own defense, I did wait at least 4 nanoseconds before trying to post... guess I just got a little excited to find this site. Thanks for the welcome, and I will make sure to add some pictures soon- however, the first impressison is the lasting impression, so I think I might have to research which picture I send...

Well, I see lots of introductions... and I have seen the "unofficial" rule of not being allowed to post without a picture or two. I guess you folks will have to take my word for it that I do leather work. I have been working leather for about five years now in my off time from my real job. I try hard at it and I am a perfectionist. I am currently at a stage where I think I am ready to start making saddles. I recently freed up some space in my house (ok, I admit... my wife left me) and now I have extra room and time in my life. When I return from my business overseas, I plan on doing something to learn saddlemaking- wether it be taking up one of the schools offered in a shop or trying to learn it all by my lonesome (like I have with everything else I have done). Any way- I am on here to meet others and draw from the wealth of knowlege and Ideas here... as well as add to them). Aaron