Saddle Strings What Size And Material To Use

[Blackey Cole]

I'm wanting to make some saddle strings to tie stuff to my electric scooter I use as a gun cart at CAS events. What weight material, what is the best leather, how wide should they be, length is dependent on what they'll be used to tie down.

Thanks in advance

[bruce johnson]

Good latigo will be your best choice and I like around a 6 oz weight. Most saddle strings are cut 1/2" wide. One thing that helps them to stay tied is to "crown" them. Basically bevel the edges of the flesh side back with a French edger or string beveler at a pretty flat angle. Then pull them through a round hole in a block of wood, firm heavy leather, or rein rounder to kind of "curl" them. If you case them up in warmish water first they will hold that curl a little better.

[Josh Ashman]

+1 to what Bruce has above. The only thing I'll add is that you can use a heavy, firm chap leather in the 6oz range as well. I prefer latigo but it does come at a price and I've found chap leathers that work good for stings and save a little. The other thing is that they'll bb more "broken in" if that's something you're looking for.