bentley

Saw a McClellan saddle at the Museum of the Horse Soldier http://www.horsesoldiermuseum.com/ that is over 100 years old and was recently found in it's original crate, never oiled and it looked like it had been made yesterday.

I use saddle soap on the lace before I braid.

Nice and clean, sometimes we forget how nice simple looks. You could not find something as nice and in those colors at a department store.

Very nice work, may I ask where you got the hardware from?

If I am using a pattern that I have purchased or found in a magazine/book they usually specify their recommended thickness. If you are creating your own patterns for a holster or belt and liked what you have used in kits from the past just use same thickness raw material or adjust if you want something stiffer or softer. Sometimes it just happens to be what I have on hand and maybe skive or split it down to what I think feels right. That is how I do it but maybe someone out there has a chart they use for differant types of projects. If it is an original piece it is your choice what works best and that adds to the originality, another leather craftsman may look at it and say "I would have done that differantly" but I bet someone who has never done leather work would not even think about the differance between an ounce or two in thickness.

Welcome and enjoy, from another Zonie.

Nancy, you are far too modest, your beginners work looks very good. Have fun with it and show it off.

Or brass rivet and bur for the McClellan saddle.

I believe strength also depends on how something is stitched, while doing all the straps on my McClellan saddle the stitching is always done parrallel to the edge of the strap on both sides so you don't punch a bunch of holes across (perpendicular) the strap which may create a weak area. Most straps also had a single rivet, guess they weren't taking any chances in the late 1800's.

Very good looking, your leather work was the icing on the cake, several nice comments from the wood workers site about your leather work, congrats.

I don't have the answer but I am just as curious. I think they are supposed to be more balanced for ease of use and less fatigue on your wrist, unlike a mallet that has all the weight on one end?

Never open a bottle of dye near your work bench, amazing how far a small bit of dye can fly through the air.

OK, curiosity got the best of me so I had to look up sporran, a little older and wiser today.The Sporran (Scottish Gaelic for 'purse') is a traditional part of Scottish Highland dress. It is a pouch that performs the same function as pockets on the pocketless Scottish kilt. Nice looking sporran.

I made a 4'x8' box from plywood and 2x6 frame, added a hinged masonite cover and hang it from the garage ceiling at an angle with chains so I can open the cover. Works great for me, keeps the dust and light out, the leather lays flat inside so no problem a curl in the hide.

Welcome to LW, look forward to seeing some of your work. Mark Mesa, AZ

Amen brother. My shop situation is a little differant being in the garage, it seems I am only productive in the evenings because during the day time when I open the garage doors to let natural light in I suddenly realize it is so nice out and realize there are so many other things that I could be enjoying during our favorite season of the year. All those coming to Arizona to visit the show in Wickenburg will understand our dillema when they get here. Mark

That is truly amazing, beautiful work. I visited your link and was very impressed with the step by step. So how many orders have you received, haha.

That is one BAD A$$ strap, nice work, hope to see more post in the future.