Leather Reins

[TomE]

A picture would help to understand how the leather is curling/twisting.  Is it consistent with cutting the reins in a spiral pattern?  That would be a major fail in my book.  Reins should lie flat and have minimal stretch.  Cut lengthwise from the back of the cow.  The split reins below were made from 11 oz harness leather, which is heavy and stretch-resistant, and latigo strings.  I requested a "rein selection" side (= a big cow) from the Hermann Oak tannery and was able to get 3 pr of 7-1/2 ft reins from the top of the side.  Could probably make a few more pair of ~7 ft reins from this side.  Harness leather is stuffed with fats/waxes and doesn't take a stamp particularly well, but it is tough and fairly weather resistant.  Has the right weight and feel according to the folks that use these reins (I mostly make/repair English tack).  If yours don't feel right then I agree you should request your money back.

[fredk]

4 hours ago, Pqstraub said:

Hello Fred, thank you for your reply. If I do what you’re suggesting isn’t that going to completely halt my chances of returning them?  If it doesn’t improve the lay significantly they are still not going to be acceptable and afterwards I won’t be able to return them???

You got what you ordered. etsy ppl do not give guarantees on their workmanship. Returning them and complaining is like shouting at the wind

[Pqstraub]

I must be doing something wrong. I took several pictures of my reins and I tried to attach them but this says they are all too big.  It says max is 1.46mb and my iPad says they are only 1.1mb. I’ll try to take something different with my pictures and try again in a bit.  Thank you Tom. If anyone knows what I did wrong or how to fix it let me know.

[Pqstraub]

Fred that was one of my questions to this guy. He does offer a money back guarantee if your not happy.

[Pqstraub]

Ok now I’m pissed. I got the picture down to 828kb and this dang thing is still telling me I’m not allowed to post over 1.46mb.  I’ve done this before I just need to remember how.  At 66 I may remember and I may not.

[Northmount]

11 hours ago, Pqstraub said:

Ok now I’m pissed. I got the picture down to 828kb and this dang thing is still telling me I’m not allowed to post over 1.46mb.  I’ve done this before I just need to remember how.  At 66 I may remember and I may not.

What type of file are you trying to upload?  jpg, tif, ??  jpg is best.  There might be some useful info below.

If your files are too large to post here due to file size restrictions, you need to resize your files to fit.  Follow this link for some helps and suggestions.  https://leatherworker.net/forum/topic/15122-how-to-post-pictures-on-lw/?do=findComment&comment=551171

There are lots of Apps, software, and online tools available on the web, or even built into your device to enable you to reduce your file sizes.  800 pixels in the longest dimension is quite adequate.  Smart phone screens and many monitors don't display high res files in high resolution.  People that live on the fringes of the internet appreciate smaller file sizes and high res photos may take from 10 minutes to hours to download.

[Pqstraub]

Thank you so much for your help. I’ll check out everything you suggested.  I’m pretty sure that my pictures are jpg.  My phone is an iPhone but it’s very old. It’s a version 5.  Yea I know, but unfortunately I’ve never broken it and there’s nothing wrong with it, so I have no excuse to spend the money to get a new one. Anyway I have searched my phone and I can’t find anything that will let me lower the size or resolution. My iPad was the one that allowed me to get it down to 828kb but even that wouldn’t upload onto this site.  I know the problem is me. I’m missing something.  I’ll check everything out and keep trying.  I really need these experts opinions on my reins. And if they need pictures then I’m gonna get them pictures.

Thank you

Paulette

[Pqstraub]

[Pqstraub]

I hope I didn’t make them so dang small you can’t zoom in on them and see the curve.  I did talk to the guy who made them and he told me that he did cut them straight on an 8’ hide but it is the stitching that made them curve.  Have y’all ever had that happen on any long strips or straps or even reins that you have also sewn?  I just don’t know if I believe him.  And the stamping.  I have NEVER seen veg-tan natural leather that has been stamped and then stained, where the stamping wasn’t a lot darker than the rest of the leather.  Not a single stamp is any darker than the rest of the leather and it seems to mostly be very lightly stamped.  I’ll take some closer shots of the stamping.

[bruce johnson]

7 hours ago, Pqstraub said:

I hope I didn’t make them so dang small you can’t zoom in on them and see the curve.  I did talk to the guy who made them and he told me that he did cut them straight on an 8’ hide but it is the stitching that made them curve.  Have y’all ever had that happen on any long strips or straps or even reins that you have also sewn?  I just don’t know if I believe him.  And the stamping.  I have NEVER seen veg-tan natural leather that has been stamped and then stained, where the stamping wasn’t a lot darker than the rest of the leather.  Not a single stamp is any darker than the rest of the leather and it seems to mostly be very lightly stamped.  I’ll take some closer shots of the stamping.

Just a question, did you insert the pictures into the text or add them as an attachment? I can't get them to expand. 

Yes I have had stitching make curves and humps on reins and narrow straps. You go down one side and have a pretty good curve, come back up the other side and it usually evens out, but not always. The needle holes and thread will expand that edge length. The humps can be from sewing over a cylinder arm and not staying flat. Can be tension too. Can be memory from rolling them up after finishing.  Stamping can cause distortion and a narrow strap that like can magnify it. As far as the tool burnish, it can and does go away or lessen with staining or dyeing. It can go away with rewetting too. That is one of the reasons for antiquing.