TomE

Yet another black halter. This client asked for a fancy-shaped, padded crown, so I learned how to cut and sew curves. Living on the edge.

I recommend JH Leather videos on Youtube. She is trained in saddlery and hand sews dog collars in a variety of styles. Also, the Stohlman book on hand sewing leather is a good reference.

Looks like nice stuff and reasonably priced, but the shipping costs...ouch! I have purchased some hardware, rein grips, small stuff from Abbey England and the shipping cost has been $80+ on these small packages. Today I ordered some 4.5-5 mm chrome tanned billet bends from Booth and Co. in New York. The bends are produced by Thomas Ware and Sons in Bristol. Know anything about that tannery? Will compare it to HO harness that is reasonably stiff and arguably better than some of the billets I see on high end saddles over here. I'll put in a plug for Hermann Oak leather. I've purchased quite a few sides of bridle, harness, and plain veg tanned leather from them directly and from several retailers. I've received one side that was a disappointment, called the vendor and they reported that HO was having a problem getting some machine maintenance done during the pandemic. They offered a return but I just kept it for odds and ends projects. Everything else from HO has been fine - consistent temper, good finish, etc. I have purchased one side of Wickett & Craig bridle, and they included a large collection of samples (lots of colors) with the order. The finish is beautiful, although not as lustrous as HO bridle - more of a matte finish even after conditioning. The temper of W&C is a bit softer. Good stuff but I am used to working with HO bridle leather.

Very pretty. I like your artwork and the craftsmanship is first rate.

This is the only supplier of chrome tanned billet leather and cut billets that I have found in North America https://boothandco.com/products/booth-saddle-strap-leather-rawhide-cow-billet. Don't know of any rawhide billet suppliers here. Guess I should try some of their billets to see how the leather compares to Hermann Oak harness leather. Which tannery(ies) in the UK make billet leather? Also, how do you finish the edges of chrome tanned or rawhide billets? Just bevel with an edger, or can you burnish the edge?

Good suggestions, @jcuk. Thank you.

Yes, that concerns me as well. I made the rope noseband several inches longer than the fixed noseband behind it, in an effort to keep the hardware out of the way. Copied the design of the Monty Roberts dually halter that the client owns - it uses a similar rope clamp made of brass but client wanted stainless to match. She reports that my leather halter is working well. She competes in dressage and is using this device to correct some bad habits of a horse with a sensitive mouth.

Thanks for your comments, @jcuk. For now I have settled on 12 oz Hermann Oak harness leather for billets. It is firm and clients have been satisfied with the job. The shipping costs from Abbey England kill my ability to be competitive on price for the billets. I've been pre-punching the billets with a #00 mini punch (drive punch) from CS Osborne and sewing with doubled up 0.040" waxed polypropylene thread using a single needle backstitch.

@Mulesaw Thanks for the tip, Jonas. I used a brass YKK zipper for riding boots but it didn't close smoothly until the sharp edges had worn off the teeth. Meanwhile, I coated the teeth with pencil lead to lubricate them. The Vislon zipper sounds like a better deal. Do you install a metal stop at the bottom of the zipper after trimming to length?

Holes look good. Thank you for the haft info. Been looking for a sturdier handle for a jerk needle.

Looks like a winner! Can you show us the holes the awl makes? Where did you get the haft? It looks very sturdy.

No, I made it like the original. The rope is looped through the other ring, I think to even out the pressure from both segments when the reins are applied.

Thanks, @bruce johnson. I enjoy learning from you and appreciate you taking the time to put the information out there.

That is nice stuff. I don't have much experience with Western tack, and most of my connections are in the English riding community. Perhaps it's an area for future growth.

I don't have experience with older Osborne tools but I've been happy with those I purchased new in the last 10 years, after doing a bit of finish work and sharpening. In my experience, any shortcomings were superficial and fixable. The tools have been a good value. @bruce johnson is the expert. He can sell you vintage and new Osborne tools that are tuned up and ready for work.

Thanks, Jonas. The lead is 1" wide. Client wants a heavy lead for Western Showmanship in Hand classes. She wanted the 3/4" straps for the halter to show off her horse's refined head. Thanks @DieselTech! I like the brass but I have a growing number of clients who do dressage and want black leather with silver hardware. Beiler's and Zach White Leather have a nice selection of stainless hardware. Thank you, @DJole. Love the TBs. They have improved many of the modern horse breeds, including the warmbloods that we breed.

Thank you, Jonas. Replaced the flexible noseband today. Trainer said my leather covered nose band didn't slide easily with rein pressure, so I swapped it out for braided rope to match the Monty Roberts Dually training halter. The client has a Dually halter but wanted something nicer looking. It took me a while to find a rope clamp to match the stainless hardware. Found stainless steel rope clamps at Beiler's, cut one in two and ground/polished it for looks. Learned that the steel rope clamps are A LOT harder to close than the brass clamps.

Beiler's Manufacturing and Supply in Ronks PA is an Amish company without a website. Call them at 717-768-0174 for a catalog.

Right you are! 12 square feet.

For reference, I paid $90.38 for a 12 foot long cream colored sheepskin ordered this summer from Beiler's Manufacturing and Supply. They have golden and cream colors in different sizes.

You can order from his website. https://heprecision.com/

Beiler's has veg tanned sheep skins in golden and cream colors, and different sizes. The wool is about 3/4" long and I've been pleased with the quality. If you're new to hand sewing shearling, be sure to burnish the wax by drawing the thread through some heavy brown wrapping paper to smooth and remove excess wax. Otherwise the wool will stick to the thread and get pulled through the holes in your leather.

Happy birthday, @DieselTech. Looks like a very useful knife.

The drum sander can smooth/even out curves and flat edges. There is a reason why most burnishing machines include a drum sander. I use a drum sander frequently to ease the transition from a strap edge to an end point made with a strap end punch. The end punches are usually a bit uneven or not quite the correct width. I make items with 2-3 layers of 9-10 oz leather and the drum sander makes quick work of leveling out the layers prior to hand sanding and burnishing.

That bag is a work of art! I particularly like the handle, and the contrasting piping is lovely. Takes time to become known but there is a demand for such high quality work and they will find you.