Making A Headstall - I Want To Give It A Try

[felis]

Now it’s time to aks some questions

I want to order tools for my very first leather project. Unfortunately I am one of those who cant just start with a simple patch….I am a learning by making mistakes person These are only for me and my daughters and do not have to be perfect so I want to give it a try.
Anyway …. I found already lot of infos here on bridle making but would have some questions – general and specific to my project.

I want to do 3 western bridles (or at least one…depending on how it goes) with a carved browband. So first I draw the pattern I wanted on the browband so I can see what tools I will need. (These are just first sketches….and will need some details and changes but I thought I will do for finding out the tools I will need.

I first would like to buy the tools I need for cutting and carving/tooling. Because if I found that leather is not my material I don’t want to end up with all the tools Then with my next order the tools to do all the edges nicely and all the things for hand sewing and in my third order the things to add buckles and stuff and last the dye.

So here is the list what I was planning to get for the carving and cutting:
Hammer, Stylus, Strip and Strap Cutter, Swivel Knife and various blades and some Beveler and Background Stamps
Now for the things I like to do what size of blades would be good?
What do I use to cut out the brow band from the leather? Just a Rotary Cutter or Stanley Knife?
What size of Beveler should I get (suppose I need to get some different)
would I need any modelling tools (spoon/knife)?

Next and I think most important to choose the leather. I am not sure what I should buy. I want to go for the high quality and from what I read up I should co for butt leather rather than shoulder is that correct?
I would prefer something not to massive but still stable and comfortable for the horse to wear. And that is where I am stuck right now. A
What thickness would I get for the headstall itself and what for the brow band….and if I buy two different thickness of leather would that look different when I dye it or would it look like wearing two different type of black socks? would I use it double sided or single side and maybe add lining and if so what would I use? Does the leather for the brow band have to have a certain thickness to be tooled?
I attached a picture I found on the web with a black lining…..I kind of like the look of it…anyone an idea what was used there?

I read in a few posts with a tool and material list to make a bridle that glue is needed. For what parts do I need glue?

I am sure there will come more questions during the working process but I would be very happy If I could some help so I don’t buy stuff I don’t need and/or end up with a complete disaster

[Goldshot Ron]

Felis,

I'm not going to attempt to answer all of your questions, because what I've read in your post is very ambitious for a first attempt. First, pick up a Craftool swivelknife with a 1/4 to 3/8 inch straight blade (of course you'll need a sharpening stone for the blade and a strop). Other tools would be a rawhide mallet, tooling stone, and for the design that you posted the tools you'd need would be a couple of bevelers ( 1/4 inch being the largest for now), a molding spoon, a mules foot, and a small seeder. To cut the leather a Stanley box cutter or even the "break off" blade cutters would be fine. As you progress and learn, the skies the limit. As far as leather, veg tanned shoulder would be fine or a half back, at 8-9 oz. Later, if you buy a splitter, heavier leathers could be used and split down as needed.

If you line your headstall pieces, you'll need to sew the leathers together. This is where the glue (rubber cement) comes in handy. Of course, you'll need needles and handstitching thread, and a stitching pony. My suggestion is to start with a simple strap headstall that can be put together with Conway buckles and Chicago screws. This way you learn how to work with leather, and the dimensions needed to fit a horse's head. You'll also find the different suppliers for the materials that you'll need.

Good Luck, Ron

[felis]

Thank you so much Ron, that is already helping me a lot (to know what tools I need) . I have ordered the leather yesterday and going to order the tools next week. I know it is not a typical first attempt project but I found that this is the way I learn best. I would not have fun doing loads and loads of small thinkgs that I wont use It does not have to be perfect - its just for me and my daughters so perfect for learning.

[felis]

Ron, may I ask what will the Mule Foot Stamp be for?

[Goldshot Ron]

Your first drawing showed a mermaid. A mulefoot could be used for the scales on the tail. If you get into flowers, a mulefoot is used to blend in stems at junctions of the stems.

[felis]

Ah great - thanks...so I am going to buy one that is in size for that.