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Hello folks, I'm new to this forum but I have slowly been getting into leatherwork, stamping, tooling, and lacing, and find that I really enjoy it, so I plan on continuing. My question to the group is about the saddles that C.W. "Tooter" Cannon made. I am his great-nephew. Although my dad (Tooter's nephew) still runs the Cannon place near Spur, Texas, and I grew up in Spur, I never got to know Tooter before he died. I think I only visited his shop in Dickens one time. The Ranching Heritage Center at Texas Tech ran an exhibit for quite a while, showcasing his saddle shop. I have several of his saddles that my father, my uncle, and I rode when we were all younger and I'm starting to get back into horses and riding. Unfortunately, these days, it is mainly luxury and past-time, rather than something you have to do! But, I've started studying Tooter's saddles and comparing them to others. I'm slowly growing to appreciate them more and more and it's awakened a desire to make and repair saddles! It seems the best place to start is with restoring the ones I have. The thing I'd like to ask the group first is whether any one would share photos or stories of a Tooter saddle that you own or rode. I've only really seen the ones that my family kept and these span several decades. One was made in Oklahoma, in his early days I suppose, and others in Spur and Dickens. I'd heard some about his 'seat-rig' saddles, which is interesting. Anyway, I am just curious to learn more about my great-uncle's work and to maybe compile images and stories about his saddles. Thanks in advance! Chuck

So I'm new to leather and my mom got me some spur straps to tool for Christmas. I drew a design and got everything all ready to start tooling and they won't absorb water! It's like they have a finish on them already. I'm really disappointed! Is there any way I could do something so I can tool them? Thanks so much in advance!

Hello- new member here. I am just getting interested in the art of leather tooling. I have not tooled anything yet, but I have been doing alot of video watching and forum reading. I ordered a kit from Tandy Leather to get me started. After I do the projects in the kit, I would like to tool my own spur straps. I do not have the means to cut out my own items right now and I needed some pre-cut spur straps, I don't need buckles or sewn edges, just the blanks (and the proper slits and holes cut into them. For the life of me, I cannot find ANYWHERE online to buy them just like that. I know there are several different styles that can be cut (if you have the dies) and I was wondering if anyone here could cut me out a pair and how much it would cost to ship to CA? Thank you for your help!