Thoughts On These Chinks

[Icutcows2]

Thought I'd post these chinks to see what kind of feed back everyone miht have. Thanks for any and all comments

[Averya]

Stunning...absolutely stunning. I'm about to attempt my first pair of chinks. Can you tell me what weight and type of leather you used? I love the fringe detail....would also appreciate any hints as to how to do that,.....I do not like the plain cut in look. It looks so much more professionally finished when the fringe is sewn on. Gorgeous! Thanks for sharing.....Avery

[sheathman]

Supper nice. Real neat work.

Lonnie

[rickybobby]

Nice work! I like the front strap, it is a unique feature. Your tooling is excellent too!!

[Icutcows2]

Avery, thank you so much for the compliments. Just wanted to reply real quick and let you know I can answer your questions later today, got an early appointment so I'm rushing this morning. I'll have plenty of time this evening. Cody

Thanks, everyone for your responces. When you stay in the shop all the time it's hard to know how your doing sometimes.

[Averya]

Hi Cody: I will look forward to your reply.....and appreciate your willingness to share info. Your work is amazing!!!!! Avery

[Icutcows2]

Hi Avery,

The leather I used for those chinks was glovetan cowsides from The Hide House. It was cream color and is a 5 oz that is a soft temper. I know these don't really look like you could go build fence in them but the leather is soft but yet pretty tuff. The fringe is the same cream color glovetan on the top and purple cowside leather again from The Hide House as the 2nd layer. The purple is a 3-3 1/2 oz weight. I use this a lot for all types of chaps and chinks and a lot for rodeo chaps. It comes in over 40 colors so there is all kinds of possibilities. When I did the fringe I cut the leather from my pattern but added 1 1/8" to overlap on to the body of the chink for the purple. This would allow for pinking the edge, my pinking punch is 5/16". After pinking from the top of the pinked scalloped it will overlap about 1 1/16"on the body of the chink. Next I cut the cream and added 7/8" for the overlap, then pinked the edge which left 3/4" from the top of the scallop to overlap on the body. I offset the purple so the middle of each purple scallop was between each cream scallop. I put a bead of barge cement on the grain side below the scallops of the purple and on the flesh side of the cream to help hold things in place. Also on the flesh side I used some masking tape in a few places to add in holding things together. After both fringe pieces are glued together, and make sure you don't get glue below a line where the body of the chink is so it doesn't show when completed. I then put the spots on the cream scallops. This actually bonds the cream to the purple. Do all the spots on each scallop of the cream, the prongs on the spots will go through both layers and is bent inward to hold the spot onto the leather. I have a Standard Spot Setter so that speeds up the process, but it still takes a while. The spots I used were 3/16" Sunburst. When all the spots are on then the two pieces of fringe material are put together very well. Then put some glue on the egde of the body of the chink and on the flesh side of the purple, again make sure you don't put glue below the line marked as the edge of the body. Put the two layers of fringe material onto the body of the chink. Again if you need some added holding use some masking tape in a few places to help hold things together. It will peel off pretty easy. I then sewed both fringe pieces onto the body of the chink. Everything is gonna stay put now. Next I put the spots on each scallop of the purple. After those were all on now it's time to cut the fringe. I cut both layers at the same time. This insures each sting of purple and cream are the same width. I have a wooden straight edge I made that has one end cut at a very sharp angle, it's pretty close to the angle that I cut each string but this will change as you get towards the bottom of the leg. After all the strings were cut I did a bleed knot on each string, I started off using a knife but it was hard to get the cuts the right length so I got a stubby straight screw driver and sharpened the edge. I could then just tap the head of the screw driver with a small mallet and get slits the correct length every time. Needless to say doing all those bleed knots was a slow process but it's not something you see every day. I was beginning to think I had lost my mind by the time I got both legs done. Hope this helps explain things, and I it's fairly easy to understand. If there's any part I confused you on just ask away. I have 3 flat bed sewing machines I do chaps and chinks on, I normally use size 69 thread with about 9-10 stitches per inch. The tooled pieces I sewed on my Adler cylinder arm machine with size 138 thread. Since the tooled pieces on top of the glovetan leather is a little on the thicker side it was just easier to sew it on the Adler. I did cut a couple of pieces about 4 inches long and practiced putting the two fringe pieces together before I actually cut the leather for those chinks, just wanted to work out any bugs before I messed up on the real thing. If you need any pictures of anything just let me know. Also you can look on my web site for ideas as well. It's Codyscustomsaddlery.com I have a facebook page too thats Cody's Custom Saddlery. The web site is pretty new and still has pages to be added to it but I know there are some chaps and chinks on it. The facebook page has them as well. Good luck and let me know if I can help any more. Cody

[Icutcows2]

Here's some twisted fringe ones.

[Averya]

Wow Cody!!!!!! Thank you SOOOO much for the detailed instructions. I will print them out and try to follow along. I ordered leather from the Hide House, but they recommended what they call Butterball. Guess I will experiment with the first pair using that and then order some of the glovetan. I usually make horse tack, but am anxious to do chinks and chaps. It will be a learning curve for sure. However, your instructions will be invaluable. I will certainly check out your website. You work is stunning and something to aspire to. Love the twisted fringe chaps too. Again, I can't thank you enough for your help and willingness to share your techniques. Avery

[Icutcows2]

Hi Avery,

I've used the Butterball a lot especially for Cutters, batwings and shotguns. It's lighter weight and buttery soft. I have also used it for chinks that were just going to be used for riding. You can get a good fit that is a little forgiving with it. I taught the chap class at Sheridan several times and also Reno and Rome. I did use some of the Butterball in the class a few times and everyone that worked with it liked it. If you need any pictures to help explain anything just let me know, I'm making some pretty much most of the time so it's no problem to take a picture. I am self taught so I think I've made about every mistake imaginable so I also figured out how to fix them. You can also call anytime you would need to, sometimes writing things are more difficult to understand than talking. But I'll clue you, I'm from Texas so I sound funny, or at least that's what they tell me here. Good luck with the chaps ! Cody

[GrampaJoel]

Well, I must say, I am very impressed! I have done a few pairs of chinks, and and chaps, and I know the work involved in just a regular everyday pair.

That is some fine, and tedious work you have done.

I have to ask about the pinking. Did you make the punch yourself, or did you buy it somewhere?

Oh, and setting all those s spots! My head hurts just thinking about that.

Thanks for sharing.

Joel

[Dwight]

To use an old fashioned word, . . . gorgeous !

You have wayyyyyyyyy more patience than I have for such a detailed project, . . . but you did really well with it.

May God bless,

Dwight

[Icutcows2]

Thank you both Joel and Dwight. I got my pinking punch from Bob Douglas Tools, they were great about showing me the pattern it would make. The size was very important for me since it had to fit the size spots I wanted to use. And yes setting all the spots was a little hair pulling until I started doing all the bleed knots on the fringe, that turned into about twice as long a job as I thought it would be, but it did get easier after I made a tool out of a stubby screw driver to cut the right size of slit for the fringe. I've got a very good Bleed Knot tool from Jeremiah Watt but it would cut too big of a slit. Once again thanks guys. Cody

[Averya]

Hey Cody: I did check your website and was equally impressed with the work you have on there. Nice site and your work is perfection. Thank you so much for the information on the butterball...now I feel better about ordering it. Also, thank you for the offer to call you and for photos....I will try not to bug you, but if I run into a brick wall, I may have to. I wish you weren't so far away....I'd be thrilled to take a workshop from you. Oh....and love Texas accents....... Avery

[Icutcows2]

Avery,

Don't hesitate if you need pics or calling, it's no bother at all. I've been looking into relocating so maybe I'll end up close enough to do a workshop. I know it made sound hard to believe but teaching the classes at the different shows I learned so much. A lot of times I just figured out a way to do something and went with it. When I started teaching some of the methods were hard to explain or hard for others to do so learning other ways to do things ended up improving my work and making things simpler to do. So it's certainly true, you do learn a lot from teaching others. Im on my phone but when I get on the computer I'll post a picture of some chaps made from the Butterball leather. Cody

[Icutcows2]

Here's some chaps made from the Butterball Cowsides.

[Averya]

Thanks Cody and please do let me know if you relocate closer to me. I'd sign up for a class in a heartbeat. I agree with your thoughts on teaching....I was a glass artist for 25 years and traveled all over teaching workshops. I learned a lot from the students and always loved their enthusiasm and different take on things. I'll look forward to seeing the pics using the butterball. Avery

[Dwight]

Here's some chaps made from the Butterball Cowsides.

Very good, . . . I have some deer skins that look very much like that leather.

Almost too good looking to take out to the dirty old barn

May God bless,

Dwight