jcivitello Report post Posted August 22, 2009 (edited) Hi, My name is Jim and I'm a 4th generation leather worker, I got my dad to sign up last night as well seeing how we've been looking for a site like this for a long time!! Our history dates back to Italy where my Great Grand parents made & repairs fine Italian shoes and other types of fine leather products. My Father took the business into the Harness and Saddlery aspect of the leather industry over 60 years ago. We still make men's & Ladies leather belts and other leather accessories to stay firmly planted in our family history but the main portion of the business these days is still harness & Saddle repairs as well as a complete strap goods manufacturing and repair service. I hope to make some new friends here that have the same interest as we do as well as sharing some knowledge and possibly gaining some work at the same time. About my Avatar, That's my dad with our Belgium Draft Horse "Mighty Sampson" at the time he was the Largest Horse in the World. His weight was approx 3400lbs and he stood a gigantic 21 hands tall. My dad turned down many offers to put Sampson on display because he felt that it was cruel to lock him in a trailer and drag him around the country, he was our baby…he was part of the family! The Harness he is wearing is one that my dad made and the collar had to be custom made because of its enormous size. I was only about 8 years old when we got him but I was the one that had the responsibility of taking care of this gentle giant, it was a sight to see this little boy of 8 years old walking and exercising this massive horse. When we lost Sampson to a rare disease particular to Large Daft horses I felt like I lost my best friend! Edited August 22, 2009 by jcivitello Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kustom Report post Posted August 22, 2009 Hi,My name is Jim and I'm a 4th generation leather worker, I got my dad to sign up last night as well seeing how we've been looking for a site like this for a long time!! Our history dates back to Italy where my Great Grand parents made & repairs fine Italian shoes and other types of fine leather products. My Father took the business into the Harness and Saddlery aspect of the leather industry over 60 years ago. We still make men's & Ladies leather belts and other leather accessories to stay firmly planted in our family history but the main portion of the business these days is still harness & Saddle repairs as well as a complete strap goods manufacturing and repair service. I hope to make some new friends here that have the same interest as we do as well as sharing some knowledge and possibly gaining some work at the same time. About my Avatar, That's my dad with our Belgium Draft Horse "Mighty Sampson" at the time he was the Largest Horse in the World. His weight was approx 3400lbs and he stood a gigantic 21 hands tall. My dad turned down many offers to put Sampson on display because he felt that it was cruel to lock him in a trailer and drag him around the country, he was our baby…he was part of the family! The Harness he is wearing is one that my dad made and the collar had to be custom made because of its enormous size. I was only about 8 years old when we got him but I was the one that had the responsibility of taking care of this gentle giant, it was a sight to see this little boy of 8 years old walking and exercising this massive horse. When we lost Sampson to a rare disease particular to Large Daft horses I felt like I lost my best friend! Welcome to the board Jim, it's great to have someone with such a history in leatherworking. The Mighty Sampson is a magnificent beast, I wish I'd had a chance to meet him. I completely understand what you mean by "I felt like I lost my best friend." It's very hard to lose an animal that's part of the family. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
D.A. Kabatoff Report post Posted August 22, 2009 Welcome Jim, that's a very interesting history your family has! It's a rare thing having a horse that special and caring enough about it's welfare to not exploit it. Looking forward to seeing some of you and your father's work and hearing about some of the techniques you use. Darc Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dcivitello Report post Posted August 22, 2009 Hi,My name is Jim and I'm a 4th generation leather worker, I got my dad to sign up last night as well seeing how we've been looking for a site like this for a long time!! Our history dates back to Italy where my Great Grand parents made & repairs fine Italian shoes and other types of fine leather products. My Father took the business into the Harness and Saddlery aspect of the leather industry over 60 years ago. We still make men's & Ladies leather belts and other leather accessories to stay firmly planted in our family history but the main portion of the business these days is still harness & Saddle repairs as well as a complete strap goods manufacturing and repair service. I hope to make some new friends here that have the same interest as we do as well as sharing some knowledge and possibly gaining some work at the same time. About my Avatar, That's my dad with our Belgium Draft Horse "Mighty Sampson" at the time he was the Largest Horse in the World. His weight was approx 3400lbs and he stood a gigantic 21 hands tall. My dad turned down many offers to put Sampson on display because he felt that it was cruel to lock him in a trailer and drag him around the country, he was our baby…he was part of the family! The Harness he is wearing is one that my dad made and the collar had to be custom made because of its enormous size. I was only about 8 years old when we got him but I was the one that had the responsibility of taking care of this gentle giant, it was a sight to see this little boy of 8 years old walking and exercising this massive horse. When we lost Sampson to a rare disease particular to Large Daft horses I felt like I lost my best friend! Hello everyone, My name is Dan, I'm Jim's dad...I would like to thank everyone for their warn reception. My whole life has been devoted to the leather industry and I'm so happy to see that my son is carrying on the family tradition & I look forward to my grand children to follow in my footsteps. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gtwister09 Report post Posted August 22, 2009 Jim and Dan, Great family history and horse. Welcome aboard. This is a great site as you will find out soon enough. Regards, Ben Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
barra Report post Posted August 22, 2009 Hi Jim and Dan. from one Harness maker to two others, welcome aboard. Let the brain picking commence. Barra Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ArtS Report post Posted August 22, 2009 It's wonderful to have you join us! How great it would be to have that history and skills passed down in a family. I look forward to seeing pictures of your work. Art Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
King's X Report post Posted August 23, 2009 Welcome to the forum. Hopefully you both can help our members around this site, but especially in the Harness section. Thanks for sharing the family history. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jcivitello Report post Posted August 23, 2009 Welcome to the forum. Hopefully you both can help our members around this site, but especially in the Harness section. Thanks for sharing the family history. Hey Thanks for the freindly welcome..............we're digging out some photos of some of the harnesses and I'll be posting them shortly! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jana Report post Posted August 25, 2009 Jim and Dan, Welcome to LW.net. I saw the picture that you posted in 'Critique', I still say that you do amazing work! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
manfrommuc Report post Posted September 3, 2009 a big hello to you both my tradition is not so far back like yours but when I was a little boy my second home was my neighbor a shoemaker the smell of leather and glue escort me my whole life.... Johann from Bavaria (not far away from italy).. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
