Latigo Leather

[rdl123]

Hello All,

I am wondering if anyone can steer me in the right direction to get good quality latigo sides.

I have worked with a few hides lately that I really am not comfortable actually using for saddle strings or tie latigos...it was all quite stiff and prone to bleeding color...I ended up using it all for lining breast collars / rear cinches etc.

What I am after is something with a waxy feel that is quite pliable...

Any tips would be valued...

Ron L

[CWR]

Ron,

I always have good luck with the latigo I get from Panhandle Leather. The price is good too.

CW

[Big Sioux Saddlery]

I'd like to know the answer to that as well! I've heard old timers talk about the latigo from the old days, but I've never seen any since I've been in business. Either too soft or too stiff, too waxy or not waxy enough, poor finish, etc, etc. I've never bought from Panhandle, might have to give them a try. Can you describe their latigo, CW? Black harness leather is another. I've seen harness which is maybe 40 years old made from GOOD stuff. Dense but not hard, no wrinkles even where the straps have been flexed and bent a lot. Just good, solid, yet supple stuff. I know that what I'm referring to is not being produced today.

[CWR]

I just noticed you are from Canada Ron. The shipping might be pretty high.

Big Sioux, I will try to describe it. It has a good finish, I guess you would call it a semi gloss appearance. It is not real waxy. I have used some that you could scrape the wax off with your finger nail. I didn't care for that. It has some body to it but is not hard. It will wrinkle a little if you cut into the neck. I dn't know what tannery it is from but seems very similar to the thorobred I have used from Sheridan Leather. I use the 5-7 for strings and 10-12 for latigos.

Hope that helps,

CW

[Big Sioux Saddlery]

Thank you CW. It sounds like just what I'm looking for. I used to buy some super waxy stuff from Seigels, and while the leather itself lasted forever, it was very messy to use. Left wax everywhere including all over the cutting table. Thanks for your reply. Have a great day!

[rdl123]

Hello CW,

Appreciate the info - I actually called Panhandle Friday afternoon and the guy there seemed real decent / very helpful. Price is good on their latigo as well as their Hermann Oak.

Have you experience buying Hermann Oak sides from them? Was it good? I might buy all the skirting sides and the latigo from them for my next two rigs.

Up here in Canada it's hard to get this stuff now that Caledon Leather is closed. So I've been buying out of the US for the last year anyhow...Shipping is expensive but not much worse than it was from Caledon.

Thanks for the help CW - Its appreciated.

Regards,

Ron L

[CWR]

I get 90 to 95 % of my leather from them. They are very nice and easy to deal with. I always call because they have more in the store than shows up on the website and I can specifically tell them what I need. I use a lot of their buffed skirting and it is really nice on ruff outs. The regular skirting is good too. It may have a few range marks from time to time but no brands or major flaws. They usually ship the same day as I call. They have a pretty good supply of hardware as well. It is not as cheap as you can get it from Weaver or Walsall but if I just need a few pieces and am placing a leather order I get it through them. I also buy harness leather from them. It is Hermann Oak and I have gotten some really nice sides. I don't use that much, just a side or two a year for reins and headstalls etc. But I'm real pleased with it. The necks will be in excess of 20 oz. and make really nice reins.

Hope you both have a good experience with them,

CW

[rktaylor]

My experience with Panhandle has been great. I have bought almost all my materials for three saddles (hardware, leather, woolskin) from them. I am by no means their top customer, but they are my top supplier. Prices are more than reasonable and the service is great. I order most of my stuff over the internet, but call them on occasion. I even stopped by once when I was passing through Amarillo. They are extremely nice folks and very helpful. Their Hermann Oak is tannery run so there will be some variability. I haven't bought latigo sides, but they cut some saddle strings for me when I was in the store. They were better than any I could get elsewhere (at least as far as I know).

I'll keep buying from them until I can justify the 10 side minimum from Hermann Oak. That could be a long time.

Randy