Head To Head Or Head To Tail On Sheepskin?

[GrampaJoel]

I have enjoyed reading the Stohlman Saddle making books. I've enjoyed watching the Johnson and Watt DVDs. But I have found another 'Can of worms' to open.

Stohlman says sheep bark should go with the Butt of the bark toward the front of the saddle. Goes into explanation about the why of it.

Johnson & Watt say Head of sheep to head of saddle. No explanation about why.

Help please.

What do you guys and gals do?

The Stohlman explanation seems to make since, but I don't know why a couple of famous makers like Johnson and Watt would do just the opposite of the Stohlman's.

Thanks

Joel

[Frank]

I've always put the front of the skirts to the butt of the sheepskin. The butt is heavier leather and more dense in fleece. You want this on the withers of the horse where it will see the most wear.

Frank

[mulefool]

Ah, the old which way to place the skirts on the sheepskin question. I've heard opposite opinions from well respected saddlemakers, so I think it's one of those things that may not be absolute, although probably some people feel that it is. I was taught by Jesse Smith to place the skirts on the sheepskin "bottoms to center, butts to back". I think really the important thing is to be consistent and not lay them crosswise, or lay one one way and the other going the other way. Chris

[BondoBobCustomSaddles]

Joel,

I have always used the way Stohlman teaches. I have never had a problem, or a reason to try do otherwise. Too much work to do it any other way and then have to redo it, because I was curious which was right. I have always been a proponant of finding someone who has the results that you desire, finding out how they do it and then do likewise. Never been dissapointed in that method.

Bob

[jwwright]

I agree with Chris.....I think the important thing is to have both skirts running the same way. Personally, I put the front of the skirts to the butt of the sheep. JW

[Denise]

Here is an older thread with some good discussion on this topic. http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=9992&st=0&p=13328&hl=sheepskin&fromsearch=1entry13328

[GrampaJoel]

Thanks,

Frank, mulefoot, Bob, JW, and a special hug to Denise. I looked for a thread related to my question in the search section, but just couldn't come up with one on this subject.

I must have not used the correct words in the search.

Building this saddle is becoming quite an experience for me, and heck, I haven' even ordered a tree or leather yet.

Since I only plan on using the best quality of parts I can get my hands on, I prefer to have as much knowledge as possible in my head before i start cutting leather.

Thanks again

Joel

[Go2Tex]

Yeah, the Stohlman explanation makes a lot of sense but I'm not convinced that it makes much difference in keeping the blanket from slipping back. Frankly, when I look at a $60 shearling and see all that waste from arranging the skirts butt to head, I find myself very very tempted more and more to test the theory.

[GrampaJoel]

Go2Tex

Thanks for your input.

Well from looking at your web site, it seems that you certainly know how to build saddles. You must also do something with your left over wool skins. Would you mind sharing what that might be?

I knew the skirt placement on the wool would probably draw some differing answers. It seems that many, (how it is done) questions leave us beginners just scratching our heads.

But times are changing , and some of the old ways seem to be no longer valid, for sure.

So it seems better to me (not having a master craftsman to learn from)to just search for myself, gather all the info I can, and decide what I will do.

That is why I ask here.

This place is an ocean of knowledge.

Thanks again

Joel

[Go2Tex]

Go2Tex

Thanks for your input.

Well from looking at your web site, it seems that you certainly know how to build saddles. You must also do something with your left over wool skins. Would you mind sharing what that might be?

I knew the skirt placement on the wool would probably draw some differing answers. It seems that many, (how it is done) questions leave us beginners just scratching our heads.

But times are changing , and some of the old ways seem to be no longer valid, for sure.

So it seems better to me (not having a master craftsman to learn from)to just search for myself, gather all the info I can, and decide what I will do.

That is why I ask here.

This place is an ocean of knowledge.

Thanks again

Joel

I'm afraid to admit that my scrap wool is slowly but surely inundating my shop. I try to use it up as much as possible in the usual ways, like spreading dye and glue, and antique etc. I even started using it to pad the saddles I ship. I figure, what the heck, they paid for it. And, maybe they can find a good use for it. I made myself some comfy house shoes out of it. I look like Nanook of the North with a Barney Rubble flair.

So no, I haven't a clue what to do with it. I'm considering making a giant throw rug out of it.