Making a blacksmith apron…

[ThisIsMyFirstRodeo]

Hey all, 

I’m mulling over making a blacksmith/farrier’s apron, but I’m a little stuck on leather selection. I’ve seen examples from about any form of leather, which leads to my question. I asked the Googlebot, but I trust your combined knowledge over AI. 

So, what type of leather would you use, and why?

May you never burn your bacon,

AZR

[fredk]

I once made a blacksmith an apron with chrome tan upholstery leather, about 1.8mm thick. Light and flexible

[chuck123wapati]

Blacksmith aprons and farriers' aprons are two diferent things for diferent jobs, which one do you want to make?

[bland]

I'm not sure it matters too much.  What do you want the leather to do other than catch sparks?  Mule hide (heavy weight split) https://www.montanaleather.com/product-category/leather/suede-nubuck-leather/apron-split/  would make a good protective apron it can be pretty stiff though.  Other splits/suedes can be an inexpensive apron for occasional use and are not as stiff.  Other utility type leather can also be used.  Deer tanned is good for garmet type applications.  https://tandyleather.com/products/selection-north-american-deerskin?_pos=1&_sid=0a11ceb3d&_ss=r  

 

Burn marks don't show as bad on the split leather options.  For what it is worth.  

 

 

 

[bruce johnson]

My farrier and hay aprons - pearl apron - split or unsplit. The unsplit was softer and then knee patches with the splits. My leather guy told me the unsplit was lighter weight latigo crust. i am not sure how available it is anymore.  

My spark catching apron - Chap leather split from the bargain bin. It gets ugly fast enough to not matter much for color or brands. Once in a while I see little pin holes all over my T-shirts to remind me to wear it more often.    

 

[ThisIsMyFirstRodeo]

4 hours ago, chuck123wapati said:

Blacksmith aprons and farriers' aprons are two diferent things for diferent jobs, which one do you want to make?

Between the 2, I guess I would categorize myself as a blacksmith. That said, I like the freedom of movement that a farrier’s apron provides. (I still do a lot of work from the ground)

Edited June 29 by ThisIsMyFirstRodeo

[Tastech]

Up until recently i used to work as a welder . I used what is known as a soggy side  leather . Its a pebble grained oiled leather 2.mm thick. What ever you choose don't expect to get a life time use out of them  because they get hot , burn ,dry out and cut , but they do protect . I make mine to just below the knee , wide enough to cover my whole front . I bring the side up so they cover my chest  and under the arm pit.  iIcut a U shape in the neck area so my neck area is protected when i have a welding or safety mask on . Don't put pockets on it because they become a slag and spark trap .I also double up with a triangular patch in the family jewels area.( you never know ) My shoe makers apron is of very similar dimensions but i used a 1mm French calf leather and put pockets on the front  and a phone and pen holder pocket about where my sternum is .  I prefer a Y back strap which loops through a belt that clips onto both sides of the apron with D rings and spring clips. It costs me about $200 per apron materials and about 4 hours work 

[chuck123wapati]

9 hours ago, ThisIsMyFirstRodeo said:

Between the 2, I guess I would categorize myself as a blacksmith. That said, I like the freedom of movement that a farrier’s apron provides. (I still do a lot of work from the ground)

 

 I get it; I think a more universal apron for all chores. My opinion only. You will want a lighter leather and something you don't care much about, as Bruce said. I would hit the Tandy clearance aisle, but if looking cool and spending copious amounts of money is your thing, then the sky is the limit.

 I don't use an apron style, but my welding leathers are store-bought suede and very old, light, and flexible, and have full split legs, they look more like bib overalls. I wear them for everything fire-related; I forge and smith, fire a homemade gas kiln, arc and acetylene weld on my vehicles and projects in on and under them. I still managed to set the frayed cuffs of my britches on fire lol. It's hard to tell you're on fire with a welding helmet on until it starts smelling like burnt hair, and believe me, it's impossible to stomp out a pant cuff fire, but you sure try for a minute. 

[bruce johnson]

3 hours ago, chuck123wapati said:

 

 I get it; I think a more universal apron for all chores. My opinion only. You will want a lighter leather and something you don't care much about, as Bruce said. I would hit the Tandy clearance aisle, but if looking cool and spending copious amounts of money is your thing, then the sky is the limit.

 I don't use an apron style, but my welding leathers are store-bought suede and very old, light, and flexible, and have full split legs, they look more like bib overalls. I wear them for everything fire-related; I forge and smith, fire a homemade gas kiln, arc and acetylene weld on my vehicles and projects in on and under them. I still managed to set the frayed cuffs of my britches on fire lol. It's hard to tell you're on fire with a welding helmet on until it starts smelling like burnt hair, and believe me, it's impossible to stomp out a pant cuff fire, but you sure try for a minute. 

I am going to take this thread a little down a rabbit hole, sorry. Yeah when you are on fire that "Stop, Drop, and Roll" deal we all learned in elementary school may not apply. Some of you may have heard this before. This is pretty close to 10 years ago. The late Elliot Hampton was a really interesting insightful and funny guy that enjoyed contributing here to the forum. He and I had some good phone conversations and traded a lot. He was having a lot of respiratory issues his last few months and conversations got harder. He'd tell me every so often that he was dropping a special something or another into a box for his friends to mail me after he died. He never said what and I didn't ask. He messaged me one night and said we need to say our goodbyes - call me. He was running out of air and some sentences took him a minute to get out. At the end he said "We've said it all, no need to talk again. Think of me when the smoke rises, love you man", then he asked what I was working on that night. Told him I had one little thing to grind the tip off and I was done for the night. I went back to working. The end of the piece flew off and I didn't see where it landed. A few seconds later I smelled it and a half second later realized my hair was on fire. I smacked it out and scraped that hot chunk out of my scalp. Next morning I called Elliot and told him he didn't need to say anything but here's what happened. He starts laughing and then wheezing really bad - the phone goes silent for about 30 seconds. I mean nothing. Sh*t, I just killed Elliot. He comes around and says I'm dropping one more thing in your box. A couple weeks later the box comes - on top is Elliot's fez.  Sooo, think about head protection too!

[chuck123wapati]

@bruce johnson, you were truly blessed to have such a good friend.