the function of tooling?

[Traveller]

Steve Brewer's latest saddle (in the Gallery) got me thinking... other than the seat, it's entirely tooled (nice job, Steve!), a choice his client would have decided to make.

It got me thinking... what's the original purpose of tooling? Does tooling on the jockeys help you grip the saddle better by making it less slick? Does it strengthen the leather? Does it make stains and general wear and tear less obvious? Or has it always been simply about aesthetics?

And would tooling on the jockeys ever chaff the inside of your leg on a long ride (or would your butt be too sore after a few hours to even notice...)?

Thanks, all!

Joanne

[TwinOaks]

The saddle folks are sure to chime in here, but here are my thoughts: Tooling on saddles was originally (waaaaay back when) a combination of aesthics and easy identification. A pattern or patterns on the saddle easily make it identifiable, and in a time when people rode everywhere on horses, extravagent tooling could also be seen as a status symbol....kinda like tricking out a car with 'Bling".

[JRedding]

Full tooling a saddle whether it's floral or geometric does make it wear better, by compacting the fibers it hardens the leather, and it does make scratches and stains harder to distinguish at a glance, even a big scratch amongst a full floral job is hard to find, but the same scratch on a smooth saddle is very obvious. There are benefits to it besides just looks. I have seen people who's tooling was a little deep and usually had a lot of lifting done to it that were a little abrasive to break in but even those tame down pretty quickly.

Edited October 9, 2008 by JRedding

[Steve Brewer]

Tooling will make the leather wear better.A lot of ruff outs chaff you more than a carved saddle,when you first get them.If your seat is right the tooling should not sore you.

[ArtS]

I was once told that it also gave you a little more grip in the seat and legs than smooth leather would.

Art

[Traveller]

thanks, everyone!