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.

[bruce johnson]

Brent,

Your comment about making comfy house shoes reminds me when we had the thread goiung about skirting scraps. I think your comment was "One man's scrap is another man's keyfob". Still laughing about that. I can manage my skirting scrap alright, but I run out of ideas for woolskins pretty fast. I might need some comfy house shoes now.

[joe59]

Bruce,

I also generate a large quanity of "scrap" sheepskin. I've used the wool to stuff bucking rolls and throw pillows (made from "scrap" chap leather). I've cut snow boot liners, covered the console in a couple of trucks, slippers, lined breast collars, made a bed spread, pistol cases, .......the ideas are endless. A few years ago I repaired an old D.E. Walker saddle. The saddle was coustom built for original owner and had been passed down. The padded seat had very detailed quilting pattern matching the floral design carved on the rest of the saddle. The seat had worn out over time and when I removed it I discovered that the original padding was woolskin. My costomer wanted it restored as close to original as possible so off I went. To my amazement, it was easier to sew the quilting pattern using the trimmed down woolskins than other materials I've tried in the past. Since then, I use the woolskins almost all the time. Some times I'll use just the woolskin and other times I'll put foam under the woolskin.

JOE

[BondoBobCustomSaddles]

Periodicaly I go on a use up the wool scraps campaign, and have done most all of the above ideas mentioned by others. Sometimes with success, sometimes not. Recently, I made a pair of mittens to wear out in the cold. The that Nanook of the North comment from Tex fits perfectly. My wife laughs and teases me when I go out to blow the snow cause' when I am out there cleaning the drive I guess she thinks I look funny with my mittens, chaps , snow boots, head cover and and all, but; all you have to do is forget to change the direction of the chute just once when you turn to go in the other direction, and you will find out real quick, you can't wear enough warmy stuff, or you will look and feel like frosty the snow man! The mittens aren't good for doing much cause they are really thick and stiff, however; for doing chores and operating equipment outside in the cold they are the cats' meow. I made a pair for my son who is a heavy equipment operator, and out in the cold he loves them. So that's just another way to use up the extra.

Bob

[GrampaJoel]

Hey Bob.

Wool on the outside or inside the mittens?

Joel

Edited January 9, 2011 by GrampaJoel

[BondoBobCustomSaddles]

Hey Bob.

Wool on the outside or inside the mittens?

Joel

Inside

[mulefool]

I have cut sole inserts for barn boots out of the scraps, I thought about seeing if the local feed store might want to carry them, but just never got my act together on figuring out sizes . I also cut out small circles to use as applicators for neatsfoot oil, I've been thinking about packaging them about 10 to a pack and selling with leather care products. 'also great for cinch ring covers although those don't seem as popular as they were years ago. Also a small piece of sheepskin with a leather leather cover makes a nice little case for fly fishing flies. But even if I made all these things, I'd still have alot of scrap. Chris

[Saddlebag]

Check out Egli's Sheep Farm website. They retail all kinds of sheepskin product. You might find some useful ideas. I have one of their hard hat liners with ear flaps that do up under the chin. My head is warm even in the most severe weather. The day I bo't it the temps were -40 with 40 mph winds, meaning skin freezes is less than 5 min.

[Hennessy]

years ago i repaired an old saddle ,well made when i removed the old lineing one side had a flat seam across the middle of the skirt.this told me that one skirt was two pieced.a beautiful flat stitched seam not visible from hair side..i'm ashamed to say that over the years i've applied that trick on repair work and new saddles.it doesn't seem right but if done properly when glued down its impossible to observe.sometimes your short on a corner etc etc.if you join wool so the nap lays the same way using matching wool scrap 69 thread small needle ,it can be done.also i've seen saddles that walked blankets out,a friend 's saddle walked out sideways on close inspection the nap on one side went to the head the other went to the tail.i believe a saddle shouldn't walk forward when rode,therefore the nap should lay against forward movement.the butt to the front on both sides .sounds strange but i bet its old school! i got that years ago n ah'm old.