Shoptalk september issuu

The Leather Retailers’ and Manufacturers’ Journal September 2014

Shop Talk Talk! with Boot & Shoe News

Leather Bonded Furniture

45

th Harness Makers Get Together

Chris Chapman brings fine artistry to custom, high style leather work

Dyrk Godby

Inside:

Laugh Lines | Sheepskin Prices | Hide Report Boot & Shoe News | Boot & Shoe News News, Notes & Queries | Classifieds Since 1984

Telling Stories Through Leather Art

Knepp Collar Shop Family Business Stays Lock Stitched Together

www.proleptic.net

$6.50

(828) 505-8474 • www.mybuyersguide.net • info@mybuyersguide.net

Shop Talk!|

The Leather Retailers’ and Manufacturers’ Journal

with Boot & Shoe News

Laugh Lines 6 Goods & Services 10 Hide Report 17 Boot & Shoe News 44

Read Shop Talk!

Online with links to advertisers and online information www.proleptic.net ShopTalkLeatherMagazine

News, Notes & Queries 47 Classifieds 58

page 26

Sheepskin Prices .........................13 Knepp Collar Shop ......................22 Leather Bonded Furniture .............26 Dyrk Godby ...............................32 45th Harness Makers Get Together..36 Chupp Blacksmith Since 1967 .........42 Shop Talk!

published by Proleptic, Inc. P.O. Box 17817, Asheville, NC 28816 Ph (828) 505-8474 | Fax (828) 505-8476 www.proleptic.net

page 32 Shop Talk! is published monthly (ISSN 1547-0121) by Proleptic, Inc. Subscription rates are $36 annually, $39 (US) for Canada and Mexico, and $54 (US) for all other countries. Shop Talk! is the official monthly publication of the Saddle, Harness, and Allied Trades Association (SHATA). SHATA members receive a $4 discount on annual subscriptions. For more information on subscriptions, advertising rates, or SHATA membership, contact us at (828) 505-8474 or www.proleptic.net

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2014 |

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Laugh Lines The Hazards of Married Life!

Manny was almost 29 years old.

Most of his friends had already gotten married, and Manny just bounced from one relationship to the next.

a large audi-

ence in Chicago.

“The material we put into out stomach is enough to have killed most of us sitting here, years ago. Red meat is awful. Vegetables can be disastrous, and none of us realizes the germs in our drinking water.

But there is one thing that is the most dangerous of all and we all eat it! Can anyone here tell me what lethal product I’m referring to? You, sir, in the first row, please give us your idea.”

Finally a friend asked him, “What’s the matter—are you looking for the perfect woman?

Are you THAT particular? Can’t you find anyone who suits you?

“Listen,” his friend suggested. “Why don’t you find a girl who’s just like your dear ole Mother?”

A few weeks past before Manny and his friend got together again. “So, Manny, did you find the perfect girl yet? One that’s like your Mother?”

Manny shrugged his shoulders. “Yes, I found one just like Mom and my Mom loves her. They’ve become great friend!”

“Excellent!” Manny’s friend said. “So, are you and your girlfriend engaged yet?”

“I’m afraid not,” replied Manny sadly. “My Dad can’t stand her!”

W

A

DIETICIAN WAS ONCE ADDRESSING

The man in the front row lowered his head and said, “Wedding cake.”

A newlywed wife told her husband when he returned home from work, “I have great news for you! Pretty soon we’re going to be three in this house instead of two!”

Her husband ran to her with a big smile on his face. He was glowing with happiness when his wife said, “I’m so glad that you feel this way. My mother moves in with us tomorrow!”

hen our lawn mower broke and wouldn’t run, my wife kept hinting to me that I should get it fixed. But, somehow I always had something else to take care of first—the truck, the car, playing golf. Always something more important to me.

Finally she thought of a clever way to make her point. When I arrived home one day, I found her seated in the tall grass, busily snipping away with a tiny pair of sewing scissors. I watched silently for a short time and then went into the house. I was gone only a minute and, when I came out again, I handed her a toothbrush.

I said, “When you finish cutting the grass, you might as well sweep the driveway.”

Fortunately, the doctors say I will walk again but will always have a limp.

The moral of this story: Marriage is a relationship in which one person is always right, and the other is the husband.

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September 2014

Shop Talk!

A hooded robber burst into a Texas bank and forced the tellers to load a sack full of cash. On his way out of the door, a brave Texan customer grabbed the robber’s hood and pulled it off, revealing the robber’s face and got shot for his efforts. Bang!

The robber then looked around the bank and noticed one of the tellers staring straight at him. He shot the teller too. Bang! By now everyone was very scared and looking intently down at the floor.

The robber then yelled, “Did anyone else see my face?”

There were a couple moments of complete silence until an old cowboy raised his hand and said, while keeping his head down, “My wife got a pretty good look at you.” the purchase of a new automobile for weeks. The husband wanted a truck. The wife wanted a fast little sports car so she could zip through traffic. The husband would probably have settle on any beat up old truck but everything his wife seemed to like was way out of their price range. a couple had been debating

“Look!” she said. “I want something red that goes from 0 to 200 in 4 seconds or less. And my birthday is coming up. You could surprise me.”

So he bought her brand new bathroom scales. Red ones.

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n elderly couple who were childhood sweethearts had married and settled down in their old neighborhood. To celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary they walked down to their old school and found the desk they had shared and in which he had carved, “I love you, Sally”.

On their way back home, a bag of money fell out of an armored truck practically at their feet!

The wife quickly picked it up and took it home with them where she counted it all. There was $50,000.

Her husband said, “We’ve got to give that back,” but his wife answered back, “Finders, keepers!” and hid the bag of money in their attic.

The next day, two FBI agents were going door to door, looking for the money. One knocked at the door and said, “Pardon me—did either of you find any money that fell out of an armored truck yesterday?”

“No,” replied the wife.

Her husband said, “She’s lying. She hid it up in the attic.”

“Don’t believe him,” she laughed. “He’s getting senile.”

But the agents sat the man down and began to question him. “Tell us the story from the beginning.

“Well,” the old man began, “when Sally and I were walking home from school yesterday …”

The one FBI agent looked at his partner and said, “We’re outta here.”

8 |

September 2014

Shop Talk!

Shop Talk!

September 2014 |

9

GOODS & SERVICES

INVENTORY and EQUIPMENT and UPDATES

If you’re a manufacturer, distributor, or wholesaler with a new product that might be of interest to our readers, please drop us a line! We’ll be sure to mention you in the next available issue of Shop Talk! FREE! No joke! And pictures are always very much appreciated.

Contact: Shop Talk!, P O Box 17817, Asheville, NC 28816, (828) 505-8474, e-mail: shoptalk@proleptic.net. Thanks! We want to hear from YOU!

® We were saddened to learn that Jim Evelyn, a subscriber of many, many years, passed away unexpectedly a few months ago and, shortly before his death, had asked that his family contact Shop Talk! and offer us the opportunity to purchase his shop which we did. However, there is quite a lot of material still to be sold including 130-140 lbs. of leather (everything from skirting to rawhide and all good), hardware, chemicals, marble, misc., dozens and dozens of patterns (both custom and packaged for everything you can imagine), bound issues of Leather Crafter, craving patterns, doodle pages, burnishing machine, saddle rack, etc. It’s about a small pickup load.

At this point, the family simple wants to dispose of the remainder of the inventory as a lot which could probably be bought for $200 but that’s just an estimate. The shop is located in Murphy, NC, a couple hours away from Asheville. If you’re interested, please call (828) 837-9246 and ask for Debbie Moore, Jim’s daughter. Don’t delay—this is a real bargain. ® You know that Randall Leather Machinery of Long Island City was around a long time before the

468 CANAL ST., STE. 201, LAWRENCE, MA 01840

folks at Campbell-Randall in Yoakum, TX, bought it and brought it back to life. For many, many years, they imported, manufactured, and sold lots of different types of equipment—presses, gluers, edgers, splitters, skivers, clickers, perforators, and, yes, lots of sewing machines.

Should you have an old Randall piece of equipment, regardless of its age, there’s a real good chance that Campbell-Randall still has parts for it and perhaps a manual. They have a tremendous inventory of the old parts still on hand.

Since Campbell-Randall has a full machine shop and some very talented machinists, they can repair most any part that you need fixed as well as make you a new part. They can make special attachments as well as custom made tools and equipment. If you need it, give them a call! They speak English as well as Spanish and have customers all over the world!

Contact: 401 Irvine St., Yoakum, TX 77995, (800) 327-9420, sales@Campbell-Randall.com, www.Campbell-Randall.com. ® Lee Valley Tools sends out a quarterly catalog full of all sorts of interesting goodies that you just

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September 2014

Shop Talk!

might like to know about. They carry a lot of high quality tools and gadgets for woodworkers, most of which are not made in China but places like the US and Germany.

New Both Sides Vinyl in 8 Colors

They have tape measures with built-in pencil sharpeners! They have McQueen’s Mutton Tallow which can help you tools glide smoothly. Tool organizers. You never know what you’ll come across.

Like a graphite composite utility blade which is used for very precise marking!

Unique!

Get a copy for yourself! Contact: Lee Valley Tools, P O Box 1780, Ogdensburg, NY 13669-6780, (800) 871-8158, www.leevalley.com. ® Always monthly specials at E. C. Leather—get on their mailing list today and save!! This month they have: • 14/16 oz. bull saddle skirting for rough outs. $99 ea.

• Saddle skirting scrap 5 lbs. box $10 ea. 10-15 oz. Hand size and up.

• oiltan sides. 5/6 oz. $3/ sq. ft. Orange brown, dark brn., black. Good for boots, chaps, strings, and outdoor gear • Belt backing. 4.5 oz. $1.25/sq. ft. Browns and greys.

• Off-white Italian lamb. $1.25/sq. ft. Great lining. Full grain.

• Lots of different bundles available.

• Antique tan Western tooling print. 2.5/3 oz. $2.25/sq. ft. Great for wallets, Western products, etc.

• Italian whole calfskin. 3 oz. $2.50/sq. ft.

Palomino and cream.

• Dk. brn. bull hide print sides. 4.5/5 oz. $2.25/ sq. ft. Slightly antiqued. Boots, briefcases, etc.

Also lots of chap, handbag, and moccasin leathers.

Contact: E. C. Leather, 7364 E. 38th St., Tulsa, OK 74145, (888) 207-3305, ecleather@aol.com. ® Still winner and world champion, The Hide House perhaps carries the most diverse selection of leathers in the US. They literally carry every type of tannage you could want, every weight, finish, and 100’s of different colors—more colors than Joseph’s Shop Talk!

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coat! If they don’t have it, you probably don’t need it! Great service and staff. Here’s a very short list of some dandy specials now available: • Black New Zealand Deer. 2.5/3 oz. $2.65/sq. ft.

• Chestnut New Zealand Deer. 2.5/3 oz. $2.65/ sq. ft.

• Chocolate New Zealand Deer. 2.5/3 oz. $2.65/ sq. ft.

All the following leather is $2.45/sq. ft. and excellent for work chaps and chinks: • TD Prestige. 5/6 oz.

• Chino Nubuck Cow. 5/5.5 oz.

• Marine Blue Cloud 5/6 oz.

• Lake Blue Cloud. 5/6 oz.

• Bark Rocket Sock It. 5/6 oz.

• Sienna Lynx. 5/5.5 oz.

• Nile Blue Mellow Grain Cow. • Bullfighter Grey Cow. 3.5/4 oz.

Please call Hide House at (707) 255-6160 or write them at P O Box 509 Napa, CA 94559.

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Shop Talk!

Ever Volatile Sheepskin Prices Fall Sharply

A

fter several years of rapidly rising prices for sheepskin, the global market has recently experienced a significant correction in the price for unprocessed lamb and sheep hides. According to industry sources consulted by Shop Talk!, raw material prices are currently around half the record breaking highs reached at the peak of this volatile commodity market two years ago.

Unlike leather, which is continually in demand for making shoes, bags, upholstery, saddles, harness, and accessories, the consumer market for sheepskin is driven by the fashion industry. When sheepskin is hot in fashion, demand surges; when fashion interest in sheepskin wanes, much of the worldwide demand for the commodity dries up.

A By-product of the Meat Industry Even when demand for sheepskin is high, the supply of the raw material increases very little. Sheep hide is a by-product of the meat industry, and it accounts for only a small portion of the market value of the animal.

Consequently, the supply of sheep hides is directly tied to market demand for lamb and mutton.

by Virginia Perry Daffron, Staff Writer

Over the past half century, America’s sheep ranching industry has declined sharply. In the years immediately following World War II, this country produced over 50 million sheep per year. Today, that number has fallen to barely three million. Nowadays, the majority of the world’s sheep are raised in the unpopulated grasslands of Australia and New Zealand.

Severe drought in Australia between 2003 and 2012 dramatically affected the ability of sheep farmers to raise and market their animals, leading to supply shortages.

All the Rage: Ugg® Boots Spur Interest in Sheepskin As world sheepskin supply declined due to agricultural and market conditions through the early 2000s, the popularity of Australia’s Ugg Boots skyrocketed. Once considered a warm slipper for wearing around the house, Uggs were embraced as a fashionable footwear choice, especially among teenagers. From worldwide sales of $14.5 million in 1995, the brand grew to over $1 billion in annual sales in 2012.

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September 2014 |

13

Ugg’s popularity led to an increase in the use of sheepskin in other fashion products such as jackets, coats, and hats. But, as always in fashion, what is “in” today is “out” tomorrow, and the craze for classic Ugg boots appears to have peaked. Counterfeit and knock-off versions of the Ugg boot have also cut into demand for the genuine article.

The cozy warmth of sheepskin has always been popular in Eastern Europe and Russia. These countries are a major market for the world’s supply of sheepskin, but unusually mild winter weather, along with uncertainty about the political situation in Ukraine, has reduced demand in these regions over the past year. Unsold inventory from the 2013-2014 winter season is creating a drag on new orders for finished sheepskin goods in 2014.

The Role of China As in many commodity markets, China has become the world’s largest buyer and processor of raw sheep hide. Tanneries in northeastern China have taken on the majority of global fell mongering, or processing of wet sheep hides, leading to significant growth in the region’s tanning industry.

In late April 2014, the Chinese government announced an initiative to improve environmental controls at tanneries in northeastern areas such as Xinji, Hebei, and Wuji. Tanning operations were directed to stop releasing untreated wastewater effluent into municipal facilities and waterways. In the weeks that followed the government order, tanneries not able to comply with the new requirements were disconnected from the local electrical system and forced to close. Perhaps as much as 90% of the tanning activity in the region has been disrupted, with shuttered operations unlikely to be able to access sufficient capital to construct water treatment plants to satisfy the new regulations.

With large amounts of both raw and processed material on hand, China’s major holders of this commodity are unwilling to dump their skins on a depressed market. So although prices for a raw salted hide now range from $5 to $14, versus $15 to $30 just two years ago, a moderating trend has taken hold, with wholesale prices likely to remain close to the present level for the foreseeable future.

The Bottom Line for Shop Talk! Readers Though accounting for a relatively small portion of the international trade in sheepskin, the demand for the material’s uses in saddlery, paint rollers, buffers, car seat covers, infant and patient cushioning, and handcrafted slippers and outerwear is relatively stable.

While Shop Talk! readers may have experienced rising prices for processed sheepskins or finished goods over the past several years as the market climbed, they should probably not expect significant decreases in the cost of those items now. Just as the retail price of Ugg® boots will not fall in response to a depressed market for the raw material used in the product, so

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too will saddle barks and sheepskin jackets be priced about the same this year as last. However, readers can look forward to stable prices and availability over the next six months to one year.

(Editor’s Note: The above report resulted from a call we received from a reader wanting to know “why shearling prices were so high”. Of course, one’s perception of what’s high and what’s not is a very subjective thing. For example—how often does the reader buy shearling and who does he buy it from?

Based on the information given above, one might conclude, “If raw materials are down so much, why aren’t prices down for tanned hides?” Good question. And there are several ways that this can be answered. For example, one has to consider the other costs involved in the tanning process—cost of labor, overhead, chemicals, etc. When the price of oil goes up, many chemicals which are petroleum-based reflect that rise; however, oil prices have been very steady for the past two years.

Many analysts would simply explain the current prices as a “period of profit taking” for tanners and

suppliers. Let’s face it—these companies are in business to make money like the rest of us. It’s also good to understand that suppliers really do not like to raise their prices and so try aim for an average profit—sometimes it’s a little less, sometimes it’s a little more, but, hopefully, over the course of a year or five years, they’ll be on the plus side. Pricing is a balancing act for them as it is for all of us.

Finally, this report was put together with the help of two veteran observers of the global shearling market, one as a tanner and the other as an analyst. Both men asked to remain anonymous. We do appreciate their helpful input.)

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September 2014

Shop Talk!

THE INSIDE SCOOP ON HIGH LEATHER PRICES

A

t times I admit in including information in “The Hide Report” which I don’t fully understand myself and, frankly, which seems contradictory. For example—in the following items you will read that: slaughter numbers are down; global demand for leather is down; global demand for leather is up; in the US there are more hides available than are being sold yet prices keep going up. Etc. It all leaves me scratching my head and it probably does you too.

The suggestion has been made that the market is really not responding to the law of supply and demand and that prices are being kept artificially high. Of course,

Shop Talk!

THE HIDE REPORT the hide market is a global one and complicated, being affected by factors that US consumers may know nothing about generally. What’s happening in Canada, China, Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina can affect the prices we pay here at home regardless of the slaughter numbers.

Of course, one needs to keep in mind that the market isn’t simply about the number of hides. It’s also about the kind of hides that are available. Makers of upholstery leather can’t just use any green hide that comes through the door. Same with makers of shoe leather, belt leather, and, of course, saddle leather. So even at a time when there is a surplus of green hides,

September 2014 |

17

some tanners may have to pay a premium price to get the kind of hides they need for their leather—and if they’re paying a premium price, so will you.

So read on and enjoy. Even though some of the following information may be confusing, at least it’ll give you something to think about.

to the Vietnam Leather, Footwear, and Handbag Association (LEFASO).

The relocation rate is 25% higher than the same period last year….

The items here have been extracted from reports that appeared on www.hidenet.com —the leading source for information about the global hide market.

Rising labor and environmental costs as well as recent industrial action in China have made some international brands opt to locate some of their productions away from China into other Southern Asian countries such as Vietnam.

Hide Prices Up

Las Vegas Furniture Show Report

Heavy Texas hides were up at the very first of August—60-64 lbs. were trading at $105 and 64/66 lbs. at $107.50. 70 lbs. hide traded for $115.

…Home furnishing retailers and vendors have much to be happy about with first half annual sales results which show good to outstanding results despite debilitating winter storms in the first quarter. Many furniture retailers report very strong July 4th sales which bode well for the balance of the year.

Branded Steers gained $1.00-2.00 with 60-64 lbs. trading at $106. Butt Branded advanced $1.00 on 60-64 lbs. hides.

Heavy Native Steers held steady at $111 for 60-64 lbs.

More Footwear and Leather Goods Relocating to Vietnam

Economic results continue to improve with unemployment numbers declining, interest rates very stable despite the fears of some experts in the last few years who warned against soaring rates due to “cheap” money [which have proven ungrounded].

Footwear giants such as Nike, Adidas, and Puma have been moving their orders from China and Bangladesh to Vietnam during the first part of 2014, according

The net result of all of the good news for the home furnishing industry is that there is an increasing amount of new and badly needed innovative product being introduced by vendors at all price levels. . . .

Whip Manufacturing

The leather upholstery category continues to deliver retail performance with motion leather in sofas, sectionals, and the perennial recliners all being widely shown. The continued expansion of powered recliners has helped to drive motion sales at all price points.

Not only the power feature have strong marketing value, it has helped to increase margins for retailers.

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September 2014

Shop Talk!

many rejecting the use of blended products due to any quality and general performance issues….

Does Restricted Supply Add Value? (Editorial) The world is not about to run out of leather, but given the current supply of bovine material, a rationale has formed, especially in North America, that “we don’t have enough hides to meet all of our customers’ needs.

This has resulted in steer hide values now getting very close to the record highs seen in Hong Kong last spring.

Rolls Royce limits their production. The Berkin bag

by Hermes takes years to be distributed, etc. People tend to want and are willing to pay a premium to get what they want, what nobody else has….

But what about the American cow market? That market fell more than 20% since Hong Kong while at the same time the slaughter of branded cows dropped about 20%. In other words, supply fell but so did demand.

As one long gone pundit used to say, “If we only produce one hide a week in this country and nobody wants it, we have an oversupply of hides.”

Shop Talk!

That’s extreme but a living example of this is the dichotomy between the upward price trend of steers as opposed to cows. Demand for steers, led by automotive upholstery and footwear is far more keen than the demand for branded cows, primarily used for furniture leathers.

So it’s not just supply. It’s demand and, without it, prices fall and a surplus exists. A shoe maker these days can attest that they can’t get all they want and have to “pay the pipe” to get it.

Cargill Will Close Milwaukee Plant Cargill announced this week that it has closed its Milwaukee, WI, cow slaughtering facility on August 1, 2014. The closure of the facility results primarily from the tight cattle supply brought about by producers retaining cattle for herd expansion. Cargill purchased the planted in 2001 and it had a processing capacity of 1,300 to 1,400 animals daily. A large percentage of its production were dairy cows but also included plump native cows and bulls.

September 2014 |

19

…The company’s six remaining U. S. beef processing plants are located in California, Texas, Kansas, Colorado, Nebraska, and Pennsylvania.

Slaughter Exceeds Sales/Shipments Combined raw and wet blue export sales for early August were 436,500. This was 15% below the same categories in the last week of July which was 502,600.

The year to date average is 561,996.

Adding in an estimated 35,000 raw and wet blue hides consumed domestically to 436,500 in export sales and the total becomes 471,500. Combined shipments were 566,400. Slaughter for a like period was 571,000. As a result, slaughter surpassed sales by 99,500 and shipments by 4,600 pieces.

A Trader’s Market As can be seen above, record low slaughter still exceeded export sand domestic sales. This makes the third consecutive week (late July/early August) and still steer prices were higher the first of August than the last week of July.

Our observation is that the price gains seen of late

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September 2014

were triggered, and then sustained, by trader buying [as opposed to buying by tanners]. This is in anticipation of their upcoming travels into the Far East, culminating in Shanghai in September.

This is not to say that all tanners were out of the market. Some were in, but we did not detect any broad based tanner support [buying]. This is why we think the upticks seen of late were based on traders building long positions.

By the same token, we also think they are right. Steer prices are getting very close to Hong Kong highs.

Traders are apt to keep producers sold forward if need be, paying higher prices each week. In this scenario, then they would “hold all the cards” when visiting their customers in Asia in late August and beyond. In other words, the packers will be sold too far forward to offer very much (especially with the lowest summer kills seen in modern times) and tanners will have to turn to their suppliers.

Until packer positions begin to erode, or traders start to sell a portion of their inventory along with some tanner buying, the market is more likely to stay steady if not advance again in the near term.

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Weight (lbs.)

May (late)

June (late)

August (early)

Price Last August (early)

Heavy Texas Steers

60-62

$101-103

$103-103.50

$105-108

$95-96

Heavy Texas Steers (Hvy)

70-74

$115-117

$115-116

$116-117

$103-104

Branded Steers

60-62

$102-103

$102-103

$104-107

$95-96

Branded Steers (Hvy)

70-74

$113-114

$113-114

$114-116

$104-105

Colorado Steers

60-62

$99-100

$100-102

$103-104

$94-95

Butt Branded Steers

60-62

$105-106

$106-107

$107.50-108.50

$98-99

Butt Branded Steers (Hvy)

70-74

$117-11 9

$117-118

$117-118

$108-10 9

Heavy Native Steers (Hvy)

70-74

$117-118

$118-119

$118-119

$107-108

Heavy Native Heifers

48-50

$87-88

$86-87

$88-90

$82-83

Branded Heifers

48-50

$85-86

$83-84

$85-87

$80-82

Heavy Native Cows

48-50

$80-83

$78-80

$77-80

$73-74

Branded Cows

48-50

$66-68

$64-67

$60-62

Spready Dairy Cows

48-50

$86-87

$87-88

$88-90

$82-83

100-110

$90-96

$90-92

$83-88

$82-84

Selection

Native Bulls

9 $67-6

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September 2014 |

21

THE KNEPP COLLAR SHOP Family Business Stays Lock-Stitched Together Once in a while you have to tear old stuff apart in order to put together something new. That practical strategy was precisely how David G. Knepp got started making handcrafted leather horse collars more than three decades ago.

Knepp, for roughly eighteen years, “as the children came along,” he said. Today, David’s four sons, Norman, Willis, Vernon, and Marvin, work in the business alongside their father. The Knepps also have three

“Back in 1976, I got to thinking about the collar business. There was no one in the family making them.

So, I took an old horse collar apart. I worked many hours to get the patterns, which I cut out of black metal, so the edges would stay intact. That’s the farm collar I started with, what we wanted to get,” he said.

Today, The Knepp Collar Shop is a full-fledged business, located on the family farm in Montgomery, IN, a small town about 100 miles south of Indianapolis.

Knepp, who has been married to Anna Mae Knepp since 1971, made horse collars with his brother, Alvin

grown daughters, Marlene, Mary Ruth, and Lydia.

“I’ve got all four boys working in here. Their ages

by Lynn Ascrizzi, Staff Writer

range from 39 to 26. All live within walking distance of the shop,” he said.

All Knepp collars are lock stitched with nylon thread, their signature feature. “The older collar makers used a chain stitch. A lock stitch is slower but better. With a chain stitch, if you pull a thread, it will pull all the way around, like a feedbag. For that reason, I don’t use a chain stitch. Collars wear at certain points, so if the thread gets cut, the chain stitch will pull out whereas the lock stitch holds. I don’t know any reason why old collar makers might have used a chain stitch except you didn’t have to fool with filling bobbins,” he said.

Shop tools include an Adler 205 and Juki 441 leather stitching machines. They also use an Union Lock Stitch and Champion stitcher. And, as is stan-

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September 2014

Shop Talk!

Adjustable Farm Collar

Farm Split Leather Collar

Farm Split Leather Adjustable

dard practice for the Amish, Knepp’s workshop is not powered by electricity.

“Our collar machines—the stuffers and shapers— run on hydraulic power,” he said of a system in which power is transmitted by pressurized fluid, in this case oil forced through a pump. Sewing machines are run by compressed air produced by diesel motors. Propane lanterns and solar powered, 12 volt bulbs supply shop

Farm Collar

lighting. “In summer, we use the 12 volt bulbs, which don’t put out the heat. In winter we use more LP lighting. With sewing machines, you need to be well lit. We have a lot of windows,” he said of the workshop.

After collars are sewn and the leather shell is soaked in water before being stuffed with straw, he explained. When first starting the business, however, he couldn’t find a new stuffing machine. So, once

Half Sweeney Pulling Collar

Full Sweeney Pulling Collar

again, he had to innovate. “The old ones were worn out. I copied some and built our own. I also built a new stuffer for Robert Coblentz, in Millersburg, OH. They got into the collar business right after we did,” he said of Coblentz Collar Shop.

Knepp uses vegetable tanned, top grain leather, 7/8 ozs. “It’s hard to come by, and collars take an awful lot of leather…It is harder to source leather, especially

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September 2014 |

23

good quality leather,” he said.

For many years, the business bought its leather from Scholze Tannery, LLC, in Chattanooga, TN, no longer in business. Today, leather is purchased from different jobbers and tanBuggy Collar ners such as American Leather Direct, Inc., in Morgantown, KY, and Hermann Oak Leather in St. Louis, MO. They buy their hardware from a local supplier.

The Knepp workshop produces horse collars for various uses—pulling, farm, and buggy. Pulling collars are constructed in three shapes: full sweeny for horses with extra-heavy necks; half sweeny for wide and thick necks; and full faced for horses with slender necks. Large sized pulling collars (24-33”) come with a double buckle on top instead of a single buckle.

“Collars are measured from the longest point inside the collar,” according to David.

Farm collars come in top grain leather, brown or black, or with split back and rims, also in black and white. “It’s our economy collar; split leather is a cheaper grade of leather,“ he said. Knepp farm collars are either nonadjustable or designed with a top, adjustable sleeve so they can fit horses of different sizes.

team, and mini. “We make a lot of mini harnesses. We use more BioThane® than leather on harnesses, now.

It keeps getting more popular all the time. There’s less maintenance. The harness side [of the business] is as big as the collars. We have more than we can handle.

We’re behind schedule on our work,” he said.

Buggy collars are available in black, top grain leather, from 16-22”. “I also make a lot of mule collars,” he said.

His mini-collar is constructed like the buggy collar. “It’s just a smaller version. Ponies are in the buggy class. We also build farm collars for pulling ponies.”

Tool pouches are made of top grain 5.5/6 oz. earthtoned, oiled leather. Their three and four pocket models come with a 3” belt; the two-pocket version has a 1½” belt.

His biggest seller is the farm collar. “All the wagon rides use farm collars. And [they’re used] for plowing,” he said. The pulling collar is their second best seller, used for professional pulling contests. Collar prices range from $173 for big 32” pulling collars to $40 for the mini-collar. “We’re real competitive on price,” he said.

HARNESS & TOOL POUCHES There’s more than leather horse collars being built at Knepp’s shop. Other items being crafted are draft horse harness, halters, hames, sweat pads, and tool pouches.

Harness styles include single buggy, single draft, draft

“One of my boys spends almost all his time in making pouches. They keep him busy. The pouches are an important part of our business. They’re used by construction workers, everywhere. It’s an item that’s hard to find in good quality. A big wide belt tends to support the back,” he said.

Today, Knepp tool pouches are shipped to lumberyards, hardware stores, and harness shops all over the country. “A lot of people who walk into the shop want custom made bags [pouches]. Steel workers want a different bag, garage door hangers, and drywall guys want another,” he said. Tool pouches also are stocked

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24 |

September 2014

Custom Made Collars

Shop Talk!

at the shop for mail orders or walk-in retail sales. “We are not strictly wholesale; we retail too,” he added.

For about twenty years, when the business made only horse collars, as many as 1,800 collars left the shop annually. But now, because the shop has expanded into other kinds of leatherwork, at the last count, roughly 900 to 1,100 collars were sold annually.

These days, horse collar makers like Knepp and his sons are few and far between. “I can name you four or

five [collar shops] over the U.S. But there may be small individual operators that I’m not aware of. We ship a lot of collars into Canada and everywhere over the U.S. A lot of our customers are out West —Montana, Wyoming and Oklahoma—a lot of draft horses there. Kentucky and Tennessee are two of our big states. We’ve never shipped international, directly, except Canada.”

For more information: The Knepp Collar Shop, David Knepp & Sons, 8774 E 400 N, Montgomery, IN 47558. Or call, 1-812-486-2862.

Through the years, as his sons got more involved in the business, a natural division of labor evolved in the

The Amish as “Techno-Selective” As a group, the Amish have traditionally shunned modern conveniences like electricity or automobiles and any other technology that might disrupt or destroy the shared values of their community-based lifestyle. In an attempt to strike a balance between humanity and hardware, however, the Amish in modern times have become ingeniously “techno-selective,” according to a 2003 article in Amish Country News, entitled “Amish Tech”.

Phone have been used in many Amish communities for some time, the article stated, but they might be housed in a “phone shanty” outside the home or business so as not to disrupt the family. Innovative uses of alternate power for cottage industries, such as leather or woodworking shops, might use diesel engines to power compressed air or hydraulic power systems, to run kitchen blenders, water pumps, sewing and washing machines, drills, and saws. In some communities, solar panels might recharge 12-volt batteries and small propane tanks fire a Coleman lamp. Or car batteries might power a digital scale, and the like.

In short, the Amish try to “mold technology in the service of community,” the article explained.

Shop Talk!

workshop. “These boys are not all working on collars.

Marvin and Norman are into collars; Vernon is on harness; Willis is on pouches—hundreds of them,” David said.

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September 2014 |

25

Leather Bonded Furniture Chris Chapman brings fine artistry to custom, high style leather work When leather artist Christina Chapman looks out the front door of her home and workshop in Carbondale, CO, she is greeted by a wide stretch of land dotted with sagebrush and scrub oak—hundreds of acres that sweep up to a breathtaking, 50 mile view of the western slopes of the rocky mountains. the scene is even more remarkable, given that her home and business, Chapman Design, Inc., are situated on just one acre. “there’s a 120 acre ranch and conservancy right behind me and another 600 acre ranch across the road,” she said of the panoramic view. “I’m up so high — 7,500 feet in the foothills of mount Sopris, about twenty-five miles from Aspen.”

High country like this, where she has lived and worked since 1990, is a perfect metaphor for the high style, high relief architectural leatherwork that she creates, a hallmark art form she calls “leather bonded furniture”.

Chapman’s use of the term, however, is quite different from the bonded leather often used in books, bags, belts, shoes, chairs, and sofas, items that incorporate reconstituted leather pieces bound with polyurethane binders on top of a fiber sheet.

Instead, she bonds cowhide to fi ne, custom made, solid wood furniture—tables, chests, armoires, desks,

by Lynn Ascrizzi, Staff Writer

beds, bars, framed mirror wall hangings designed with antler or forged iron coat hooks, and other architectural pieces.

“I take top grain leather and treat it like shaped and molded veneer bonded over wooden substrates,” she said. Her work is similar to repoussé metal work in which design layers are built up with cut and carved layers of leather or wood. In this case, a final piece of leather is shaped and molded over the layers. then its surface detail is created. “I use a combination of techniques that I’ve developed and also traditional saddle making tools and concepts,” according to Chapman. to bond leather, she uses baxter hide glue.

“It’s horribly toxic stuff. I’ve got down- draft tables [to eliminate fumes], and I use a good quality 3m™ mask for vapors—a facemask with filters on each side,” she said. to create her exacting work, uses saddle leather. “It has a specific tannage — very different from upholstery or garment leather. It can be split into different thicknesses. I use different weights, depending upon what I’m using it for. Saddle leather has a cellular memory.

You can wet it, tool it and shape it, and it holds that shape,” she explained. Her leather is purchased strictly from Hermann Oak Leather Co., in St. Louis, mO. “It’s worked for me for twenty-two years,” she said.

Left: All leather cover, 17th century Scottish Warrior’s Chest (76”w x 45”h x 30”d) by Chapman Designs. Photo/David Marlow Below: Chris Chapman’s backyard with mule deer and Rockies. Photo courtesy Chris Chapman.

26 |

September 2014

Shop Talk!

leather and beautiful woods.”

“I do all the basic designs,” she added. “the whole concept is mine. most of the time, I design the furniture, too. but I also collaborate with my clients’ wishes and the talents of other artists, such as architects and interior designers.

I try to make the client’s dream come true. they give me a basic idea or theme. I do the final renderings. What makes my stuff so unique is that I’m not just a leatherworker, A fine cabinet, “Last of the Whooping Cranes in Colorado,” (36” h x 22” w at the base), by Chris Chapman. The design shows influences of different styles: Japanese, Queen Anne, and Arts & Crafts. Photo/Dave Marlow

Interior of Whooping Crane box shows walnut drawers and interior detail.

Designed and made by Chris Chapman. Photo/ Dave Marlow

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Homemade Organic Locally Grown

Her original, high relief design motifs feature animals, plants, and scenery and come in a wide range of styles including Victorian, black Forest, and Arts & Crafts. Not surprisingly, her most popular style is mountain Western. “my work has a big Western appeal, even if that Western style incorporates Spanish territorial, Old english, Native American or mountain Western themes. they [clients] are typically people who buy heirloom or heritage properties, such as old ranches they want to invest in and keep in the family—people who buy ranches in Jackson Hole, WY, or bozeman, mt, or who own a 100,000 This mirror with hand forged acre ranch in texas,” brackets, rifle holders, and high relief rope detail is a Western classaid Chapman. sis. Photo/Dave Marlow

Her commissions are often for large and complex pieces. For instance, she has created a leather gunroom with an 8’ x 6’, leather covered, barrel [half-round] ceiling. And she has done bonded leatherwork for furniture made of clara walnut. “It’s beautiful wood. I’ve done a number of jobs where I work with a combination of bonded Shop Talk!

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27

I’m an artist who happens to do leather work.”

It helps her to have a thorough understanding of the building trade. “I coorDeer motif in bonded leather dinate with the designed and created by Chris general contracChapman. Photo/Kelly Sarno tor. I know the sequencing so I can get the job done. It’s really complicated,” she said.

Her 1,200 square foot workshop is located behind her home in an oversized, double garage with 9’ ceilings. It’s a tight fit for some jobs, but she makes it work. “One time, I had to take out a piece of the wall in order to work on a great big armoire. You use lots of levers,” she said. most of the time, she works alone. but if facing a big job, she will contract someone to help with gluing and

color finishing. She does not, however, build the furniture she works on. “I have a team of people. I’ve got good woodworkers, cabinetmakers, and ornamenWorkshop/studio entrance of tal ironworkers to Chapman Design. Photo/Kelly Sarno contract out. this way, I don’t need to have a full blown forge, iron shop or cabinet shop. I like working with people who are the best at what they do. It’s really a huge process with a very labor intensive business part. I’ve spent a lifetime working out this stuff. I’m 63. I don’t have much competition,” she said. prices depend upon the clientele and time and labor that go into each piece. On average, a mirror might take forty to sixty hours. Larger pieces such as armoires, trunks, tables or beds could take literally hundreds of

hours and thousands of dollars worth of materials. And she must pay contracted wood and ironworkers, as well.

Smaller pieces, such as leather bonded mirror frames are typically priced at $3,500 and up; larger pieces, such as armoires, are priced from $20,000 to $30,000. bars designed for home recreation are roughly $25,000.

Workbench detail with close-up of hand tools and cast iron coat hooks used in mirror franes that Chapman designs. Photo/Kelly Sarno

“Some of my work is charged by time and materials; other projects are bid by the job. I give an estimate with a 10% leeway. I’ve made a good living doing this.

I’m not a starving artist. I made up my mind about that when I was twenty-six years old.

design process takes months. Ideally, I have two or three jobs in process to keep the cash flow going.”

this work has allowed me to raise my daughter, Kaytie, as a single parent with grace and dignity, and I’m proud of that,” she said.

more recently, she has been working on two entry mirror frames and a glass and leather trophy display cabinet. “most of my work comes from word of mouth.

It’s hard physical work,” she said.

Christina doesn’t measure success by the number of pieces made per year, she noted, because each piece is markedly different. A bed, for instance, might take two to three months to complete; a mirror frame, one week to ten days. “I usually ask for 50% down.

Sometimes on big jobs, I take a retainer. Sometimes the

Shop Talk!

Show & Tell Chapman started her leatherworking career in 1969, in minneapolis, mN. “At the time, I made leather clothes and also fringed vests for my rock ‘n’ roll boyfriend,”

September 2014 |

29

she recalls. She brings an in-depth art history perspective to her designs, an expertise that reflects years of early historical research including Native American and early American costume reproduction work. “I’ve “I do all been a really good tailor.”

In the late 1970’s, when she lived in minnesota, she taught leather work for two years at Stillwater State prison, in Stillwater, a maximum security prison for men. “I was the fi rst woman foreman for a prison industry, arts and corrections department, where I taught and developed products,” she said.

only Cody High Style Show in Cody, WY, held in the third week of September. ”they feature very exclusive Western furniture and clothing designers. It’s my niche,” she said.

the basic designs. The whole concept is mine. Most of the time, I design the furniture, too.

But I also collaborate with my clients’ wishes and the talents of other artists, such as architects and interior designers. I try to make the client’s dream come true.”

— Chris Chapman

Her bonded leather work garnered fi ve awards from 1998 to 2001 at the Western Design Conference.

And, in 2005, she was awarded best leather artist at the Southwestern Design Conference. Her leatherwork has been featured in Architectural Digest, Cowboys & Indians, Design Source, and mountain Living magazines. And her leather art is included in four books: Cowboy Chic, Contemporary Western Design, rustic Artistry for the Home, and the rustic Cabin, all published by Gibbs Smith.

She does two juried shows a year: the Wyoming Design Conference in Jackson Hole, WY, and the Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival, simultaneous events held in the first week of September. She also exhibits at the invitation

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Given her many years of experience, does she have any advice for people striving to be fi ne leather artists?

“Leather work is not just about cutting up and working with a bunch of leather. It is so much more to do with feeling — it’s sensory work. every hide is different, just as every piece of wood is different. You have to know how to read your hides, to know if the glue is too thick or too thin. It’s impossible for me to sit down and write a guide manual,” she reflected.

to enter the arena of high style leather artistry, “you need to be multifaceted, a good businessperson, and an artist, not just a leather worker,” she said. “You have to be good with people — to have a good social demeanor. It’s a lifetime of learning. You have to be absolutely committed to the dream or vision of your business and never give up on it. It’s so easy to complain and blame. the truth is it is up to you. It does not come easy.”

For more information about Chris Chapman and her work: (970) 948-9580; fax: 970-963-0228; chamandesigninc@comcast.net; www.champmandesigninc.com

Cowboy Boots

by Tyler Beard with photos by Jim Arndt: paperback, 320 pp. By the same duo that did the original Cowboy Boot Book and then Art of the Boot. This effort is every bit as good. A must for boot collectors & boot lovers. Note: This book measures 6” x 6”. 500 color photos. $15.95 +S/H

Proleptic, Inc. • PO Box 17817 • Asheville, NC • 28816

(828) 505-8474 • shoptalk@proleptic.net • www.proleptic.net 30 |

September 2014

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The Care & Feeding of Bonded Leather If you’re the lucky owner of a pricey piece of bonded leather furniture such as a table, chest, desk or cabinet, you might worry about how to care for it properly through the years. How do you maintain its beauty?

What if the leather stains or tears?

Chris Chapman of Chapman Design in Carbondale, CO, whose life revolves around creating architectural leather work, offers the following information and advice, based on the finishes and techniques that she uses on her pieces.

“The leather is finished with waxes and an acrylic sealer for water and stain resistance. Those waxes and sealers keep it in good shape for a long time, as long as it’s kept out of direct sun. If somebody spills something on a table top, for instance, there are enough sealers to give the person time to wipe up the spill,” she explained.

She also provides clients with leather care instructions and a free can of wax. “I use an English furniture wax that I discovered. It lasts for years and years. Because the leather is bonded to solid wood, it’s not flexing, cracking or moving, like normal leather. It’s almost a veneer. Care and maintenance is minimal,” she said.

Moreover, her leather finish is uniquely distressed so that it that hides or camouflages scratches. “One thing I have learned is what old leather looks like. Old leather has scars, stresses, and fading. My pieces have an old look to it — like an old saddle.”

She also recommends that clients with leather tables do not place hot candles on its surface. “Hot wax soaks into leather. I also ask them to use placemats. Also, the tables are built in sections. If one section gets damaged, I can release the glue, replace the hide, match the tooling and color and reseal it. I’ve only had to do that twice in twenty years.”

And she advises clients who own leather bars to use coasters. “But, because the leather is distressed and sealed, you don’t have to make yourself crazy over it. A wet glass leaves a watermark. But then that becomes part of the distressing.”

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Proleptic, Inc.

PO Box 17817 • Asheville, NC 28816 shoptalk@proleptic.net 828-505-8474 • www.proleptic.net

September 2014 |

31

Godby Tells Stories Through Leather Art If Elvis had been a cowboy, he may have been a lot like Dyrk Godby. An artist and singer, Godby also shares the King’s Christian ethic. Roll those similaritiesalltogether and unique art is the result.

Besides God and music, Godby loves images of the West.

He grew up in Idaho, cowboyed successfully in his younger years and continues to live in the world that he paints.

Horses are his muse because most of his artwork includes one or more— sometimes wild, sometimes with a rider, always nearly perfect. His latest medium is leather.

“I have this huge, non-existent degree in horse philosophy, or horse psychology, I guess that is,” he says

and smiles. “I just love it because I’ve been around them all my life and understand them, and I like them better than humans.”

By freehand, Godby burns Western images onto leather to decorate handbags, notebook cases, totes, photo albums, women’s belts, and Bible covers.

Recently, Dyrk has started burning scenes onto continuous, one-piece hides, 8’ long by 4’ wide. To create them, he hangs the hide on a mechanical drawing desk that is tilted vertically.

His leather “canvas” can move up or down with the press of a button. With a handheld tool, he burns a scene into the leather and then sells the large pictures for several thousand dollars each.

Godby, 55, is one of those rare individuals who, having been born with the artistic gene, lucked into several talents.

He writes country music, carries a pretty good tune, plays guitar to accompany, and can paint and draw scenes that encourage a viewer to linger on the details. His artistic abilities have carried him through almost three decades of selfemployment. But he’s not a braggart.

Just the opposite. He doesn’t like his picture taken and almost didn’t agree to be interviewed for Shop Talk! He tries to let his artwork speak for itself. The images of his art on his website are about as promotional as he gets.

“I’ve had big publishers buy my limited edition prints, and they’ll buy four- or five-hundred and take them and sell them through their publishing company, things like that, but none with the leather so far,” he says.

He has recently sold a sample of his burned leatherwork to Lucchese for one pair of boot tops, and the company is doing its own promotional campaign for the boots.

by Jennifer Fulford

more than once during the interview at his home in central Oregon.

About eight years ago, Godby started to experiment with burning scenes onto leather which he also describes as etching. Each project starts with a sketch, an offshoot of his painting ability. Godby has been painting for twenty-five years, acrylic first then in oils.

“I’m kinda on my own right now. I’d like to do a lot more with the leather because it’s kinda new and original, and it’s so different,” says Godby.

“I’ve been doing it a long time, some custom work for people,” he says. “I

His style tends toward realism and is so intricate, it’s hard to believe it’s done freehand. Nevertheless, he’s dumbfounded by people who see his work and claim it’s done by machine.

“They’ll stand there and argue with me while they are watching me,” he says

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went to college and took some art classes, but mostly [learned] from other guys, cowboy artists, that I’ve known over the years.”

He used to travel to a lot of shows, but in the last few years, he’s been hanging closer to home near Sisters, OR, where he helps his wife, Kanoe, who’s an accomplished horse trainer and a native Hawaiian. He’s issued several prints over the years and also sells his originals and commissioned pieces.

His art has appeared in magazines,

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33

gang’s death in a shootout. Godby envisioned the bank robbery scene, sketched it out by hand, then burned it onto leather for the back of the couch.

Pictures of the final product won’t be available for the public until after the design conference which runs September 5-8.

galleries, and on the rodeo circuit. It took a few years to establish his painting career and make a living, he says, but his talent panned out. Now, his belts, without a buckle, go for $270.

An oil painting may sell for upwards of $3,000.

He’s not interested so much in ornamental decoration, acorns or roses, but prefers to tell a story with his artwork. This year, he partnered with Ryder Gauteraux, a bootmaker and

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leather artist in nearby Redmond, OR. (see April 2013 issue of Shop Talk!), to create a leather couch for competition at the Western Design Conference this fall in Jackson Hole, WY. The theme of the couch is the Dalton Gang, notorious thieves in Kansas. The Daltons, who wanted to upstage Jesse James, resolved to rob two banks i n Coffeyville on the same day in October 1892 in broad daylight. The robberies ended with most of the

“I have people running out of the banks and horses and guns going off and outlaws carrying money bags. It’s about 6’, 7’ long.”

The couch comes with a chair, and Godby says he spent about a month and a half on the project, but he didn’t count the hours because, well, he just didn’t want to know. “If I did, it’d probably make me depressed.”

Godby’s workshop is the corner of a walkout basement in a fairly sizeable home adjacent to the Cascade Mountain range in central Oregon.

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at a time. He’s not much on multitasking.

Except when it comes to songwriting. He’ll work in his shop and also scribble a new song on scraps of paper when inspiration strikes. He’s trying to finish a song for a charitable event; a friend asked for a favor. He put out a CD of his music about ten years ago which includes tunes that he sang in the late 1980s when he was touring a little in the West and overseas. At one point, he paired up with Brooke Shields to sing Western duets. She owns several of his paintings.

On the property is a rental cabin and, down the hill, his wife’s training area.

He helps her out with the horses but spends most nights working in his shop, staying up way too late on his next project. He focuses on one piece

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To reach Dyrk Godby call him at (208) 761-1493 or write P.O. Box 3500-181 Sisters, OR 97759.

Email him at godbywithyou@ dyrkgodby.com or check his website, www.dyrkgodby.com.

For another friend, Godby also wrote a love song that is used in a movie, Soda Springs, a quaint story about a cowboy/songwriter from a small town in the West and the ups and downs of his life. Sound familiar?

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45th Harness Makers’ Get-Together You know, I see young fellows at the GetTogether who were wearing hats too big for their heads a few years ago and bugging their dads for money to get a soda who are now big strapping men with families of their own and running their dad’s business—like Joe Jr. and John Bowman! I remember you guys, running around all over the place, barefooted! They are all growd up with kids of their own who are now bugging them for money to get a soda.

Let me tell you—there’s a whole new crop of harness makers and leather workers coming along all the time and that’s always good to see!

I’ve had the pleasure of attending the annual Get-Together for probably over 30 years and it never fails to surprise me that I learn something new each and every year, something that often proves to be of material benefit to me and my business. Sometimes it’s just an offhanded remark that someone makes and suddenly a little 12 volt light goes on! That’s one of the real values of events like the Get-Together—people get to share information that you would have never, ever come across any other way. That one

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September 2014

by Dan Preston, Editor

seemingly unremarkable comment becomes a small gold nugget—a new idea, a new customer, a new source for the supplies and equipment you’ve been looking for.

That little piece of information makes the whole trip worthwhile—it truly does. Let’s face it: like my buddy Roy Peakes says, “If you don’t go, you don’t know.”

I’m not sure how this year’s host Monroe Chupp at Chupp Blacksmith arranged it, but the weather was perfect—upper 70’s, zero humidity.

Wow! So refreshing and the surrounding oat fields were nothing short of luxuriant. Some years under the tent you feel like you’re at a New England clam bake and YOU’RE the clam!

Not this year.

That’s the home of Chupp Blacksmith—a well laid out and maintained shop. And it would be the perfect place for a DayStar Natural Lighting System.

One of the big changes this year was the retirement of Daniel Lapp as chairman of the organizing committee who was replaced by Kevin Yoder

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of G & M Enterprises in Nappanee, IN. A big thanks to Daniel for his work and the humor with which he always discharged his duties.

And a big thanks to Kevin for taking on the job.

Everyone agreed that the first year of his chairmanship was a success! Thanks to both Daniel and Kevin for their help in continuing to make the Get-Together a success year after year. It’s an important adjunct to our industry given the pleasant and important fraternal bonds it fosters.

Pretty good auction this year. Prices seemed to hold. There were two rings going non-stop, all day from about 9 am to about 4:30 pm. And, boy—those auctioneers were some kind of good and did they hustle! No messing around! I’d say they were good as the folks at Chupp Bros. but I wouldn’t want to swell Devon’s head any more than it already is! I’m glad he’s rich because he must spend a fortune in hats!

Of course, everyone knows that the value of used machinery and sewing machines has been terribly eroded by the inexpensive Chinese imports which is why the old stuff doesn’t bring anything at auction and people have stop bringing it—it’s heavy!

Now that’s an unique power source  If you wanted to stock up on hames, bits, and harness hdw., you should have been there! Since we were at Chupp Blacksmith, there was a great selection of all sorts of hames— Shop Talk!

stainless, japanned, and wooden for everything from driving to pulling and farming. Great selection.

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37

What’s this mailbox doing a at HARNESS auction?? Well, Chupp also makes mailboxes and scooters for kids and a whole slew of ice working tools. There’s not much that those guys can’t make when it comes to steel!

Lots of new faces and products to see this year.

And I guess the newest face wasn’t there because John Miller and his wife at Mid-River Sales stayed home to have a baby! Congratulations!!

Here’s something new this year—handmade bullwhips out of leather and parachute cord from Mose Beachy at (330) 897-1350. Nicely done, affordable, and made in the USA. I finally got to say “Hello! To Noah Troyer from

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September 2014

The Evener Shop this year. He has several catalogs available showing all the good stuff he makes like spreaders, eveners in many different sizes, jockey yokes, neck yokes, and other hardware—even a fertilizer spreader/ seeder.

Mose Beachy at Beachy’s Nylon Harness Shop must be doing something right! Here’s a shot of his new handsome addition— Notice his “phone shack” off to the right and he’s using a DayStar Natural Lighting System in his shop which he really likes!

Mose has a 40 pp. retail/wholesale catalog that is well laid out and handy.

One thing he carries that not everyone makes is a nylon cow sling for heavy udders. He also makes leather, nylon, and BioThane harness and harness parts in many styles and sizes.

The folks from Pennwoods showed up again this year with a good display of their equine supplements. Their motto is “Horse Products made by Horse People.” Give them a call for a complete brochure.

BioThane has been making harness webbing since 1977 and, during that time, they have never once stopped innovating, coming out with new products, and making their existing line even better. They just don’t rest on their laurels—no, sir! They always are introducing new finishes and new colors. Here’s a new Shop Talk!

basket weave webbing for belts—

and Western strap goods. Call and get some samples. You’ll be impressed.

Wow! And you know, Ethan Boron and BioThane have paid for the big top every year for many, many, many years and deserve a very big “THANK YOU!” for their support! Same goes for Bill Alles at Philadelphia Leather for providing the ice cream every year for a long time—thank you, Bill.

Of course, when I asked Andy Troyer, Rope King, how business was, he admitted that sales were up yet again this year! Great news.

Here’s a new mold he’s making for forming the end of melted rope—

Now here’s something interesting from the folks at Bowman Harness: It’s a kind of quick change driving harness with a breast collar that needn’t go over the horse’s head. The end of the tug on the near side goes over that metal loop (in the last picture) and then a strap passes through that loop and goes under the keeper behind it. The uptug for the shoulder strap that’s forward on the near side snaps into a layer loop.

Easy!

Tim O’Hara, formerly of TIMCO and Standard Rivet, stopped by the auction and had some samples of new spots his company has recently developed— Boy, spots have come a long way from when there were just three shapes—round, diamond, and oblong.

And these are not just cheap stamped metal but nickel and chrome plated brass. The detail is very clear and the spots would be a handsome addition to everything from waist belts and boots to harness Shop Talk!

I like it! You won’t believe it but Andy runs another very successful business— Troyer’s Birds’ Paradise: That’s a 35 pp. catalog of bird houses and bird house accessories for blue birds, martins, and swallows.

A good source for readymade neck and lead ropes is Mountain View Harness which employs six children of the Martin family who are blind. Contact them for a free brochure.

Those guys at Fisher’s Harness make the nicest patent leather collars! And they make the K collar with or without a princess rim. Fisher’s takes a lot of time with their collars and really pay attention to all the details. But they do a lot more than just collars or harness. They sell complete display racks for bells and belts—

September 2014 |

39

And they have a good selection of clock mirrors as well— Tick-tock!

The rep from Thoroughbred Leather reported that he has a new hot stuffed, waxy, veg/ chrome retan that’s hand dyed for belts in 6/7 oz. and 9/10 oz. Comes in

brown. They also have a new bridle leather in tan.

Folks—that’s just a few of the shops who attended this year’s Get-Together and sorry we didn’t have time to mention everyone! But as you can tell, there is a lot to see each year which always makes the Get-Together a great event!

Next year, the host will be Miller’s Harness Shop at 431 N County Road 100 E, Arthur, IL 61911, (217) 543-3150. Plan now to attend— see you there!

Contact Information Beachy’s Nylon Harness Shop 2815 Township Road 182 Baltic, OH 43804 (330) 897-1350

Bowman Harness 6928 County Road 77 Millersburg, OH 44654 (330) 893-4151

DayStar 14226 Hwy 4 Campbell Hill, IL 62916 (866) 732-9782

Fisher’s Harness Shop 267 North Star Rd. Ronks, PA 17572 (717) 687-6048

BioThane 34655 Mills Rd. North Ridgeville, OH 44039 (800) 487-2358 www.biothane.us

Chupp Blacksmith 9107 Township Road 609 Fredericksburg, OH 44625

The Evener Shop 6840 Township Road 568 Holmesville, OH 44663 (330) 674-0851

Mountain View Harness 260 Troup Valley Rd. Mt. Pleasant Mills, PA 17853 (570) 539-2102

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September 2014

Pennwoods Equine Products 110 W. Allison St. Centre Hall, PA (800) 255-3066 www.pennwoods.com Troyer’s Rope 20785 Morris Rd. Conneautville, PA 16406 (800) 872-0103

Shop Talk!

45

Years of Get-Togethers

1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

J.H. Bowman & Sons, Millersburg, OH Arthur Collar Shop, Arthur, IL Eli R. Stoltzfus, Intercourse, PA Bowman’s Harness Shop, Shipshewana, IN Miller’s Harness Shop, Mesopotamia, OH Dan Zehr, Newton, Ontario, Canada Raber’s Harness Shop, Millersburg, OH Ivan Hostetler, Nappanee, IN Arthur Collar Shop, Arthur, IL Beiler’s Harness Shop, Leola, PA Miller’s Harness Shop, Burton, OH Schutz Brothers, N. Manchester, IN J. H. Bowman & Sons, Millersburg, OH Mast Harness Shop, Arthur, IL Smucker’s Harness Shop, Churchtown, PA Jelloway Harness Shop, Danville, OH Black Rock Harness Shop, Mifflintown, PA Miller’s Harness Shop, Burton, OH Eash Harness Shop, Topeka, IN Hostetler Harness Shop, Arthur, IL Weaver Leather, Mt. Hope, OH Beiler’s Mfg. & Supply, Leola PA Al’s Harness Shop, Shipshewana, IN Coblentz Collar, Millersburg, OH Mast Harness Shop, Arthur IL Lititz Harness Shop, Lititz, PA Valley Harness Shop, Fredericksburg, OH Bluegrass Leather, Liberty, KY Clinton Harness Shop, Goshen, IN N & A Harness Shop, Millersburg, OH Fisher’s Harness Shop, Ronks, PA Mast Harness Shop, Arthur, IL Byler’s Harness Shop, Middlefield OH G & M Enterprises, Napanee, IN Yonie’s Harness Shop, Honeybrook, PA Beachy’s Nylon Harness Shop, Baltic, OH L-n-L Harness Shop, Grabill, IN Peach Lane Harness Shop, Ronks, PA Fairview Country Sales, Millersburg, OH Miller’s Wholesale Harness, Columbia, KY Allen’s Leather Shop, Vestaburg, MI Eli Miller’s Leather Shop & Country Store Mesopotaia, OH Chupp Bros. Wholesale, Shipshewana, IN Hilltop Tack Supply, Rebersburg, PA Chupp Blacksmith, Fredericksburg, OH

Shop Talk!

September 2014 |

41

CHUPP BLACKSMITH

Since 1967 (And Still Going Strong)

H

e was only 21 years old at the time when Monroe Chupp’s neighbor, Abe Miller, started “getting after him” to make hames and harness hardware. There was a growing demand for the hardware but there was absolutely no place to buy it and people were desperate. This was in 1967.

But where to begin? That was the question. Monroe really didn’t know anything about making hames or harness hardware but, since he was making a living as a farrier, he did know how to work with metal so that was something.

The very first things that Monroe made with Abe’s help and encouragement where buggy hames and a two-hole trace clip. His hope was that maybe, just maybe, in his first year he’d sell 100 sets— that’s four pair per set. And he did— actually, he sold a total of 1,000 sets which must have been quite encouraging. Today, Monroe and Chupp Blacksmith is the largest manufacturer of hames in the US, selling a total of 6,000 sets per year of their farm, show, and pulling hames. The number of buggy hames sold is not included in this figure.

Monroe has also started to make ice tongs and “selling them by the 100’s.”

Monroe admits that in the beginning it wasn’t always easy—for example, it took him and Abe a full year to design and learn to shape his first farm hame, the

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September 2014

Today, Chupp Blacksmith is really a loose confederation of a number of different shops, most of which are owned by his children and in-laws. At the main shop is Monroe, 64, his son Wayne, and five employees. Then Monroe jobs out work to another son, Alfred, at Even Heat Mfg. Marion, the youngest son, works for this brother Alfred at Even Heat. Another son, Adrian, has a tool and die shop where he does work for his father as well as makes a nice push lawn mower. One son-in-law does all his wooden hame work. Monroe jobs all his stainless steel polishing to Holmes Polishing & Welding.

Another shop does all his welding. That’s quite a diverse operation and keeps a lot of people gainfully employed!

Monroe also oversees the making of an equally diverse range of products, many of which are not equestrian or harness related. One of his newest products is ice grippers for boots— no buckles need and one size fits all. The grippers are selling well in his area as well as in Wisconsin and Michigan where a growing number of people are actually harvesting ice during the winter and need the grippers for their boots.

But, of course, like most successful businesses, it hasn’t always been like this. The hames and harness hardware business was pretty much part-time while Monroe continued to shoe. But then eventually he cut back the shoeing to three days a week and then in 1978—eleven years after he first began—he quit the horse shoeing altogether, sold the neck yoke and evener part of his business to Noah Troyer (who still runs that business today), and went full-time.

828.665.7060 828.665.7067 fax 1.877.665.7060 order line bucklebarnusa@charter.net www.bucklebarnusa.com

No. 520 which he still makes today. Finding out exactly what kind of machinery he needed to do the work was “a real lesson”. Eventually, through a good bit of expensive trial and error, Monroe was able to acquire the right equipment and then eventually began custom making his own machinery and tools.

Surprisingly, Monroe manufactures a tool used by trappers, largely for export.

It’s a 3-in-1 tool that includes a stake driver, stake puller, and a trapper’s trowel.

Presently, he has an order for 5,000 and just received a ten ton shipment of

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other things,” according to Monroe.

steel to do the job. He also makes thousands and thousands of trapper’s trowels as a single tool. Luckily, “if things slow down, we do

Several new harness related items include a new adjustable pulling connector in stainless and black steel.

Chupp Blacksmith also has a new No. 420 miniature pulling hame in stainless and black steel which is very popular.

And they’re making a very interesting new double twisted link breast chain which slides smoothly through their heavy No. 850 chain snaps. According to Monroe, this was a new product suggested by some of his Southern customers. It’s something he had never heard of before and, initially, felt it wasn’t something that could be made. Fortunately, Monroe’s son Wayne thought maybe he could figure out a design and eventually came up with this new product.

Today, Chupp Blacksmith Shop has a 39 pp. catalog that lists forty-six different models of hames with some styles available in several different finishes. There’s work hames, pulling hames, buggy hames, and fancy show hames for literally any size horse or pony you can imagine— and all the clips, chains, and dees you might need. And their inventory continues to grow year in and year out.

What a wonderful source for hames, hame parts, hame balls, and lots of harness hardware that’s sold throughout the US as well as Canada and Australia.

I hope someone, someday shakes Abe Miller’s hand and thanks him for “getting after” that young fellow down the road who took a little part-time job and made it into such a mainstay of our industry with happy customers literally all over the world. Thank you, Abe! And thank you, Monroe, and family!

You can get a catalog for yourself by writing: Chupp Blacksmith Shop, 9107 Township Road 609, Fredericksburg, OH 44627.

Shop Talk!

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BOOT & SHOE NEWS

PEOPLE and PRODUCTS and PLACES

Time to Speak Up About Cowboy Boot Heels [Editor’s Note: Boy, oh, boy! Hats off to Leonard Lang for standing up on his hind legs and sending us a very informative article for “Boot & Shoe News”! Thank you, Leonard—this is EXACTLY what we’ve been asking for! Thanks so much!!! Now let’s hear from you! And, yes, Leonard, we will be sending you a check for your help and happy to do it. Thanks.]

Fellow Cobblers—it seems to

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me that we’ve got something of a real problem on our hands; at least for those of us who repair a significant amount of Cowboy boots. Since styles have changed to the square toed, large, low heeled kind of bot, I now put on mostly the 18 iron, pre-cut toplift type of heels rather than the standard 7-nail washer Cowboy heel. The only way I know of to attach these toplifts heels is with wire nails from an Autosoler.

But there are only three brands

of 18X toplift heels on the market that I know of: Sole Tech; Goodyear: and GTO Italia. Then problem is that all of these are too soft to hold the wire nails on a permanent basis. I have never actually used he Goodyear or Sole Tech brands, but I know from experience that GT Italia will not stay on for the long term when nailed on with an Autosoler. I’ve had many customers come back with heels coming off.

Fortunately for now, I’ve found a wholesaler with a cache of

old Biltrite 18 iron heels that are very hard and hold a wire nail just fine. But what am I supposed to do when I run out of these old Biltrite heels that are no longer being made?

Aren’t the rest of you also having problems with these soft toplift heels? Seems I’ve heard that some of you are gluing as well as nailing them on. But then when they come back to be repaired again, the heel base will be seriously damaged—making for a lot of extra work—when you rip off

Shop Talk!

the heel that was cemented to the composite base.

Now let’s hear from you—and —and send pictures! We pay $.30 a word and $7/per picture. Please contact: Shop Talk!, P O Box 17817, Asheville, NC 28816, email: shoptalk@proleptic.net.

What’s the solution to this problem? I think we cobblers need to speak up and tell our finders and their suppliers that we need a hard 18 iron toplift heel (24 iron would be even better) that will hold an Autosoler nail. I don’t understand how these manufacturers have gotten by this long with making only a soft heel that doesn’t work.

Thanks!!

Send Us Your Picture!

Please take a snap of you working at the bench or posing in front of your shop and send it to us! Please identify everyone in the picture and SMILE! Don’t make a fuss and just do it! If you mail a photo then we will return it. Contact: Shop Talk!, P O Box 17817, Asheville, NC 28816, email: shoptalk@proleptic.net.

Please contact me with your concerns or solutions to this problem. Thanks. Contact: Leonard Land Black Hills Boot Repair, 600 W. Main St., New Castle, WY 82701, (307) 746-2999, e-mail: LeonardLang1000@hotmail. com.

Just do it!

Writers Wanted!

We are always on the lookout for material to be included in our Boot & Shoe News—that includes suggestions about stories you’d like to see us do as well as jokes, reminiscences, short articles, information about new products, and interesting pictures! Maybe tell us about your worst customer experience or strangest repair job you ever did. If we use what you send then we’d be happy to give you a free year’s subscription to Shop Talk! Wow! So get something together and please send us—we do pay for features. Contact: Shop Talk!, P O Box 17817, Asheville, NC 28816, or email: shoptalk@proleptic.net. We really would like to hear from you!

Right now we are looking for the oldest shoe repairer in the US (still active) and the youngest shoe repairer working at least part-time on a regular basis. Let us hear from you!

Goods & Services If you have old stock or machinery that you’d like to move, please send us a list and we’ll print it at no charge to you. Really! Don’t let it mold and mildew— take a minute and jot down what you and how much you want for it. Then contact us at: Shop Talk!, P O Box 17817, Asheville, NC 28816, or e-mail: shoptalk@proleptic.net. Fax (828) 505-8476.

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scheduled for Novemeber 5-7, and will be held in Leon, GTO, Mexico. For all the details, please visit www.anpic.com. ANPIC is the largest leather and shoe trade show in North America and attracts visitors and exhibitors from all over the world.

Products on display include findings, lasts, exotic leathers, sole leather, sewing machines, tanning equipment, large shoe manufacturing equipment, chemicals, belt, bag, garment, and automotive leathers as well as finished goods such as footwear and accessories.

It’s a great show to attend!

Classes & Symposium Hosted by PFA

Feet—Review different diseases and complications that result in severe deformities, biomechanical deficiencies, etc. Demonstrations of how to use appropriate shoes, shoe modifications, and foot orthoses to treat complicated pathologies. August 29-31.

Milwaukee, WI. Worth 18.25 Category 1 Scientific Credits.

PFA’s 55th Annual Symposium & Exposition—October 24-26, at the Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista, Walt Disney World Park, (800) 782-4414.

Contact the Pedorthic Footwear Association at (800) 673-8447, e-mail: info@pedorthics.org.

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*Premium South American Skirting, Bridle & Harness *Large assortment of Oil Tanned and Chap Sides *Full color range of Upholstery and Garment Leathers

127-25 Metropolitan Avenue  Kew Gardens, NY 11415 Ph: (718) 441-2226  Fx: (718) 441-2299  email: sales@msokol.com 46 |

September 2014

Shop Talk!

NEWS, NOTES & QUERIES

BUSINESS and UPDATES and HAPPENINGS

Charles Hardtke Remembered

Charles Hardtke, founder of the well-known leather supplier Charles Hardtke, Inc., passed away on August 9, 2014. He was 79 years old. Charles was born July 12, 1935, and is survived by his wife of 51 years, Ellen, and sons Peter, Jay as well as Charles’ younger brother, Robert.

Charles began working in the leather business in Milwaukee in 1958, representing a variety of companies such as Wisconsin Leather Co. and Collis Leather Co. In 1978, he moved to Tucson, AZ, and started doing business in the Southwest. He opened his own warehouse in 1984 in El Paso and sold mostly to manufacturers of Western boots such as Justin, Tony Lama, Lucchese, and Acme Boot. He was also an important supplier to custom boot and shoe makers.

Charles loved selling leather and working with his customers—he will be missed.

Our sincerest condolences to the Hardtke family for their sad loss.

a special delivery letter recently from our former Australian allies threatening a “stiff and appropriate attack on the US mainland” if Shop Talk! (“a pitiful and utterly disgusting excuse for journalism”) didn’t immediately issue a full and groveling apology for its affront to the sovereign nation of Australia and it citizens. No problem—grovel, grovel.

Hope you’re happy now, gov.

Now that we’ve narrowly averted yet another “international incident,” let me share with you the splenic letter referred to above from Wendy “The Crusher” Tidbold at Wendy’s Saddlery in Sheldon, QLD—Wendy is an in-

Angry Aussie Aggressively Argues Against Assertion

We are unhappy to report that we received

Shop Talk!

September 2014 |

47

ternationally known maker of sidesaddles.

To wit: I read your article in the Shop Talk! May issue “News, Notes & Queries” titled “Australian Leather Workers” regarding leather workers in Australia. I would like to clarify that there are quite a lot of people here in Australia that make all kinds of leather items from belts, bags, knife cases (not so much gun holsters as we don’t carry guns like you do in the USA,) but there is plenty of other leather items made by many people, not to mention saddlers. In the state of Queensland alone, there are 100 plus who make Australian Stock Saddles, swinging fender saddles, endurance saddles, dressage saddles. I specialize in making ladies’ side saddles as well as just about everything that one wants in leather for both horse and rider.

There is a Saddlers & Harness Makers Association of Australia that promotes

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September 2014

Australian made quality products of which there are 109 members, but there are probably more than that amount again that are not members. There are lots of whip makers who make excellent quality whips, plaited belts, etc.

We have in Queensland a wonderful museum in Toowoomba called the Cobb & Co. Museum. It is very large and has every kind of horse drawn vehicle and harness with lots of history. Even though we are not a very old country, our history has been carved out of the land with horse and cart.

Another very well-known museum is situated in Longreach in Queensland called the Stockman’s Hall of Fame which displays items associated with the Australian Outback and the hand times that men endured to establish our land.

We do buy leather and tools from the USA, probably not the amount of people doing

Shop Talk!

hand carving as is done in the USA, but lots do carving on Western saddles and there are classes that teach carving and leather work.

WOW! I can just feel they anger and vitriolic!

Wendy—or should I call you “Crusher”—I believe you! I DO! But! For months now I have been asking for pictures of the lovely work that people in Oz do. And you know how many I’ve received? ZERO, zip, nada!!!

It seems that if the mountain won’t come to Muhammad, then Muhammad must go to the mountain! I shall, to wit, get a passport, get all the necessary shots, learn to speak Australian, buy beads and trinkets, and visit the wild natives of the Outback!

Big Tool Sale is Really, Really—BIG!

Friends—you know me. I’m a pretty ‘umble fellow. Hat in hand, always ready with a kind word, a pat on the shoulder, and a friendly smile. I guess most people would describe

Shop Talk!

as self-abasing, always happy to give others the credit. But sometimes, I admit, I have to stand up, give myself a shake, and roar!!!

To be honest—this tool sale is promising to be a pretty good one. Maybe the most exciting event of the entire year! So stay tuned. The sale goes online at www.proleptic.net on October 1, 2014, and we are mailing the issue early enough so you should have it in your hot little hands by the 1st. Enjoy— order early and order often!! And when I say there’s something for everyone—there truly is! Thanks!

No Paris Show!

We hear from our friend Alain Eon that the Paris Western Show which is normally held in September and attracts Western affeccionados from all over Europe will not be held this year!

There seems to be a problem with the venue.

Hopefully the show will return in 2015.

September 2014 |

49

Le American Legend

You’d be surprised how many French men and woman are truly interested in the Le Old West, enough to spawn a new bi-monthly magazine entitled American Legend. The second issue covers Le Chuckwagon, Le Winchester, Le Little Big Horn, Le Tequila, Le Plain Indians, Le Big Sky Country, Le Rodeo—and lots more. All color. 82 pp.

This is as well done and as informative as anything published in the US. Very impressive and very attractive.

Great historical

pictures and art work throughout. It’s a real treat.

There are some very serious advertisements for period firearms, clothing, books, and holsters. It could use a few ads for saddles— hint, hint. Fancy bits and spurs? Hats?

Chaps? Custom boots?

The Editor is Philippe Couvreur; e-mail is couvreur.ph2@wanadoo.fr.

A Visit to France

As you know, the October issue will be dedicated to our annual Big Tool Sale which should be a doozy! Then November will be a special issue covering Nick Pernokas’ trip to France last year and include articles on manufacturers of leather working tools, equestrian hardware, leather, Louis Vuitton, a large equestrian trade show, and a very fine selection of European craftspeople.

Nick literally travelled the width and breath

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September 2014

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Shop Talk!

of France, interviewing several dozen craftspeople and companies for this issue which promises to be one of our very best. Thank you, Nick! It’s been an enormous amount of work but Nick has stuck with it.

Two New Trade Shows

• The Pendleton Leather Show will be held this coming November 7-8, at the Pendleton Convention Center, Pendleton, OR. It’s hosted by Sheridan Leather. All the details about attending and exhibiting may be found at www.pendletonleathershow. com. There will be classes and seminars before the show begins and on Friday and Saturday.

Folks—Pendleton really ought to develop into a show at least as big as the Roundup given its unique location on the West Coast.

It ought to be drawing from Oregon, Washington, California, Nevada, Idaho, and Montana—all of which are just loaded with all kinds of leather workers, great and small! And once you visit the historic town of Pendleton, home of the world famous Pendleton Rodeo, you’ll want to go back again and again and again. And be sure to visit the wool works!

You may contact Sheridan Leather a (307) 674-6679, info@sheridanleather.com.

• The new Wickenburg Leather Trade Show will take place this coming February 5-7, 2015, at the Wickenburg Community

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HansenSilver.com

209-847-7390 Marie, Tim & Kelleigh Hansen Shop Talk!

800-970-7391 Oakdale, CA 95361 September 2014 |

51

We Buy

Used Tools & Bench Equipment Complete Sets & Collections Proleptic, Inc. • PO Box 17817 • Asheville NC 28816

(828) 505-8474 • shoptalk@proleptic.net

Lasting Quality and Style Matte Finishes Many Colors

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P.O. Box 593, Columbia Station, OH 44028 Voice: 800-357-5070 Fax 440-243-5326 Email daves@firstlocal.net Website www.ohiothane.com

Try our NEW Vinyl in 8 Colors Both sides vinyl. Better than marine vinyl.

For longer wear-Wash them clean & keep inside dry.

• Collar pads • Breast pads • Show pads • Split Breast pads • Back pads • Breeching pads

• Write For Free Catalog • Sweat Pad Shop 183 Stoneyhill Road, Quarryville, PA 17566

52 |

September 2014

Center, 160 N. Valentine St., Wickenburg, AZ 85390. This is hosted by Tim and Maria Hansen at Hansen Western Gear, (209) 847-7390. It was a good show this year and certainly should be even bigger and better in 2015. Call for a list of classes available.

Let’s Head On Down to the Roundup And don’t say, “What Roundup?” unless you want to be ridiculed as the greenest of Green Horns. This year is its 26th anniversary and that’s a real accomplishment! Hats off to all the vendors who show up every year, all the folks you attend faithfully, and the hosts of the Roundup, Eddie and Kathy Kimmel of Kimmel Boot in Comanche. Thank you, Kathy and Eddie, for your many, many years of putting on just the bestest leather trade show in the USA! “And why is it the bestest?” you might well ask. I guess the short answer would be that it’s got a double helping of everything that anyone doing any sort of leather work could ever want or imagine in the way of leather, tools, supplies, and equipment— and all with great discounts. You will see things that you’ve never seen before nor will ever see again and you’ve just GOT to have. Bet you never seen frog leather! Interesting and educational.

And then you have the bestest people— the vendors are simply great and always so helpful. You also get to rub shoulders with the very best boot and saddle makers in the entire US. It never fails that every year I always learn at least one thing that makes the whole trip worthwhile. Plus I get to visit with my old friends who are a great bunch of criminals, and I get to meet new folks and hear their stories which are always interesting.

So strap on your jet pack and head to Wichita Falls this coming October 3-4, for the Custom Boot & Saddle Makers Roundup. For all the details about attending or exhibiting, please contact the Kimmels at (325) 356-3197, e-mail: kimmels@cctc.net.

If you need any more reasons--$5,000 will be given out this year in $250 gift vouchers.

Shop Talk!

You must be present to win and spend at the Roundup! I’ll be there!

While there will not be either a boot or saddle contest this year, there will be a large display area if you’d like to bring something to show.

Important Dates for 2015

• The Weaver Auction in Mt. Hope, OH, is scheduled for June 17-18, 2015.

• The next consignment auction and Harness Makers’ Get-Together will be held on July 16-17 at Miller’s Harness Shop, 431 N. County Road 100 E, Arthur, IL 61911, (217) 543-3150. It’s always the best so please plan to attend.

Cox’s Annual Fall Auction and More

Jim Cox’s Leather and Equipment Auction is scheduled for October 17-18, at the Preble County Fairgrounds in Eaton, OH.

Jim is also working on doing an auction and trade show in Sarasota, FL, it looks like.

The dates are November 7-8. Please call Jim for all the details at (513) 889-0500.

There seems to be plans for another auction and trade show in French Lick in 2015. Jim’s e-mail address is jimnwestern1@ aol.com.

Martin Annual Fall Auction

Martin’s big carriage auction is scheduled for October 18, at the Lebanon Fairgrounds in Lebanon, PA. The can contact them at P O Box 99, New Holland, PA 17557, (717) 354-6671, www.martinauctioneers.com.

Lots of vehicles, appointments, equestrian antiques, saddles, etc.

Know of an upcoming event that you think our readers (or their customers would like to know about? Then please DROP US A LINE and thanks! Contact: Shop Talk!,

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For wholesale service, contact us at 1 (800) 325-7950 or fax us at (314) 421-6152 Or contact the nearest distributor listed below: El Paso, TX, Bowden Leather Company 915-877-1557 Ventura, CA, Goliger Leather Company 800-423-2329 Napa, CA, Hide & Leather House 707-255-6160 Billings, MT, Montana Leather Company 406-245-1660 Portland, OR, Oregon Leather Company 503-228-4105 Amarillo, TX, Panhandle Leather Company 806-373-0535 Sheridan, WY, Sheridan Leather Outfitters 888-803-3030 Mt Hope, OH, Weaver Leather, Inc 800-WEAVER-1

Shop Talk!

Springfield, MO, Springfield Leather Company 800-668-8518 Calgary, AB, Canada, Caledon Sales Ltd 403-252-0232 Botany, NSW, Australia, Birdsall Leather 011-612-9316-6299 Toowoomba, Qsld, Australia, Toowoomba Saddlery 011-617-4633-1855 Suginami-ku, Tokyo, Japan, Craft & Company Ltd. 011-81-3-5698-5511 Taito-Ku, Tokyo, Japan, Kyoshin Elle & Co., LTD 011-81-3-3866-3221 Maniwa, Japan, Star Trading Company 011-81-8-6742-8004 What Firminy, France, Logis de Cordes 33-04-61-19-16

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Legends Are Made Of. www.hermannoakleather.com

September 2014 |

53

P O Box 17817, Asheville, NC 28816, (828) 505-8474, e-mail: shoptalk@prolpetic.net.

Let Us Hear from YOU! That’s right—got a story you’d like to see us do? Let us know! Sends us your pictures, stories, ideas, jokes, and unmarked $10 and $20 bills! So get off your DUFF and drop us a line—thanks!

Contact: Shop Talk!, P O Box 17817, Asheville, NC 28816, e-mail: shoptalk@proleptic.net.

Looking for Side Saddles and Side Saddle Makers

That’s right—where are all the side saddle makers? We’d like to hear from you! And so would Roman Miller at GRG Saddlery, 149 Chestnut Rd., Dayton, PA 16222.

Roman is looking for used side saddles— old and new—but they have to be in good condition. So if you have one that’s needing

Chap, Saddle & Tooling Leather!

The best grades from the best tanneries!

Hermann Oak #1, or A & B grades only!

Skirting, Harness, Strap, tooling, etc.

Large clean sides of chap leather!

Same types and colors always in stock!

Work, Rodeo and Show!

a new home, please drop Roman a line. And if you make or repair side saddles, why not introduce yourself? It just may be mutually rewarding!

We Want Pictures of YOU!

We certainly do. Snap a shot and send it to us. Maybe you working at the bench or standing in front of the shop. Please identify everyone in the picture—and SMILE! We’ll be sure to return any photos you send!

Or you can e-mail us at shoptalk@proleptic. net or mail pics to Shop Talk!, P O Box 17817, Asheville, NC 28816. Thanks!!!

Don’t make a big fuss about it—just click and send. Amish readers can do a quick sketch!

Don’t Delay, Upgrade Today!

Has your old stitcher gotten balky? Does your skiver skip and get out of whack every other day? Do you spend way too much time having to fix some piece of machinery when you really could be working? Then it’s time to make a change!

Boy, this really came home to me recently. My computer gave up the ghost so I needed to get a new one and WOW--what a difference.

No more waiting, no more locking up, no more waiting for the thing to respond. My new machine is soooo smooth, so easy to use, and I’m not fighting with it all the time.

Work has become a lot easier and really more

Bogle Greenwell Machinery Corp.

Outstanding service!

Real leather sample cards available!

Since 1953

3100 E. Main, Grand Prairie, TX 75050 (972) 262-8652 or (972) 262-3101 Fax (972) 262-3251 Leather Machinery, Dies & Supplies Representatives & Distributors for:

Goliger Leather Company 800 423-2329 Fax 805 650-1742 email: service@goligerleather.com Visit our website: goligerleather.com

54 |

September 2014

Indusco Acme Staple Co. Adler America Inc. Chandler Machine Co. Manufacturers Supplies Co. Campbell Bosworth Machinery Co.

Consolidated Sewing Machine Corp.

Hudson Machine Co. Randall Leather Machine Corp.

Western Supplies Co. Quick Roll Leaf Mfg. Co., Inc. Schaefer Machine Company, Inc. Fortuna Machine Co. Ferd, Schmetz Needle Corp.

Jado Machine Co. New England Needles Inc. Juki AmericaSinger Machine Co. Pfaff Pegasus of USA, Inc. & many more

Sale or Lease of New & Used Machinery www.boglegreenwell.com

Shop Talk!

enjoyable. I wish I had done it last year! I guess I just had gotten used to the misery!

So no matter what it is—phone, computer, creaser—once something that you really depend on becomes undependable—don’t delay, upgrade today! You’ll be glad you did. You really will and kick yourself for not doing t a lot earlier.

We Need Your Bronc/Bull Riding Photos!

We sure do! We’re thinking about collecting photos old and new of folks riding broncs and bulls—black and white, color, old, or new. Then we’ll take a selection and use them on the cover of the 2015 My Buyers Guide! Sounds like fun to me! And we promise to take good care of them and send them back in one piece.

Send us what you got to: Shop Talk!, P O Box 17817, Asheville, NC 28816, (828) 505-8474, e-mail: shoptalk@proleptic.net.

ANPIC

from folks—where can they find this or that and could I help them with something or other which I am always happy to do. Then somewhere in the conversation I try to ask, “Hey, do you subscribe to Shop Talk!?” Oops.

Friends, I am not always happy with the answer I get which is often, “Sorry, I don’t.” Don’t get me wrong—I still love those people but the truth is, I have to make a living, I have to pay bills, and they want something of value from me but are unwilling to reciprocate. Bummer!

Let’s face it, $36 for 12 issues PLUS our annual buyers guide for readers in Mexico, Canada, and the US is C-H-E-A-P given the amount of valuable information you get every month and which simply cannot be found anywhere else.

That’s really not that much to be asking, is it?

So one good turn deserves another, doesn’t it? I mean—how would you feel if the shoe were on the other foot? Don’t delay and do something good for yourself today and subscribe! $36 in

The next ANPIC trade show is scheduled for November 5, 6, and 7, and will be held in Leon, GTO, Mexico. For all the details, please visit www.anpic.com. ANPIC is the largest leather and shoe trade show in North America and attracts visitors and exhibitors from all over the world.

Hey! Why Not Subscribe?

You know, I go out to different places during the year and nob and hob with folks which I really enjoy. And there are always questions

Shop Talk!

September 2014 |

55

Classifieds Work Advertise with us!

Shop Talk! • PO Box 17817 Asheville, NC • 28816 (828) 505-8474 • shoptalk@proleptic.net

Beiler’s Mfg. & Supply MANUFACTURING ADDRESS 290 S. Groffdale Rd. Leola, PA 17540 (717) 656-2179

MAIN OFFICE & WAREHOUSE 3025 Irishtown Rd. Ronks, PA 17540 (717) 768-0174

Manufacturers of Leather, Nylon or Biothane Products like Halters, Harnesses or other Equine or Pet Related items. Distributors of Harness & Saddlery Hardware. Leather, Leather Oils, Biothane & Nylon Webbing plus other Equine Products.

Call us for any custom made Harness or Saddlery Hardware item you may need.

Nylon Webbing

Thread

 Medium and Heavy weight webbing ¾″- 1 ½″   Color matched nylon bonded thread 92-346 

the US. $39 in Mexico and Canada. Contact: Shop Talk!, P O Box 17817, Asheville, NC 28816, (828) 505-8474, e-mail: shoptalk@ proleptic.net.

THANKS! On Lookout. . .

A young fellow at the Get-Together wanted to know where he could get waffle vinyl or urethane sheets and I didn’t know—sorry.

Can anyone help? I might begin by calling the folks at Bowman Harness because they do use this material in their work. Contact: 6928 County Road 77, Millersburg, OH 44654, (330) 893-4151.

Mark Your Calendar! ® September 5-7: WESA, Denver, CO. Call: (800) 295-1041, www.denver-wesa.com. ® October 3-4: 26th Annual Custom Boot & Saddle Makers Roundup, Wichita Falls, TX. Contact: Eddie and Kathy Kimmel at (325) 356-3197, e-mail: kimmels@cctc.net, www. bootandsaddlemakertradeshow.com. ® June 17-18: Weaver Auction, Mt. Hope, OH. ® July 16-17: Consignment auction and Harness Makers’ Get-Together. Miller’s Harness Shop, 431 N. County Road 100 E, Arthur, IL 61911, (217) 543-3150. Make plans attend!

9415 W 300 S • Topeka, IN 46571• 260•593•0044

56 |

September 2014

Shop Talk!

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tested by Time, Proven by Performance & Trusted by Customers . .

Synthetic Harness Webbing

Semi-Gloss Beta® 580 is Here!

We are pleased to announce Semi-Gloss BETA® 580 is now available in Super Heavy Grooved 1” BL580!

We have been fervently working to develop the new semi-gloss finish for over two years and we are extremely happy with the results of all the hard work!

The Beta® 580 has more flexibility than regular Beta®, and it has a lustrous and incredibly smooth semi-gloss surface for a dressed leather appearance. (pictured at right)

Perfect for lines and tack.

Contact your distributor or BioThane for a sample today!

Did You Know ...

BioThane® is the original synthetic harness webbing since 1977 BioThane® is made in Ohio USA by a 2nd generation family business BioThane® is used on more harness than all other synthetics combined BioThane® lasts longer on harness than any other synthetic MADE IN

Contact your distributor or BioThane Today at 800.487.2358 for a free sample

Shop Talk!

34655 Mills Rd, N Ridgeville, OH 44036

www.biothane.us

September 2014 |

57

CLASSIFIEDS

WANTED

Wanted: New subscribers from Montana, Nebraska, Idaho, Iowa, and Wyoming. Now is the time to renew!

Give us a call at (828) 505-8474, e-mail: shoptalk@proleptic.net or visit www.proleptic.net.

Wanted: Complete tool collections. Contact: Shop Talk!, P O Box 17817, Asheville, NC 28816, (828) 505-8474, e-mail: shoptalk@proleptic.net.

Wanted: Bench equipment. Any condition. Skivers, splitters, pressers, spotters, etc. Also parts and pieces— bolts, frames, springs, blades. We pay shipping. Contact Shop Talk!, P.O. Box 17817, Asheville, NC 28816, (828) 505-8474, e-mail: shoptalk@proleptic.net.

Wanted: Equestrian and Western work including prints, posters, paintings, etc. t: Shop Talk!, P O Box 17817, Asheville, NC 28816, (828) 505-8474, www.proleptic.net.

Looking for a wholesale outlet for leather belts and leather crafts. Call (717) 656-9838. (9/14) Used hydraulic clicker. Working condition. Contact: Bill Nordan, 24220 County Road 83 Robertsdale, AL 36567, (251) 979-3370 or (251) 979-3371.

FOR SALE Close out sale on blade #207, #277, and #138. On 2lb. cones -

$25 per cone.Sew What?!(800) 390-9503 For Sale: 2 Western RMH cutting machines (mechanical clickers) for cutting belt and strap ends. Comes with 15 belt 58 |

September 2014

and strap cutting dies. All for $750.00 Moonshine Leather Co. P.O. Box 1652 Nashville In. 47448, 1-812-345-6393 Landis #1, treadle stand. Extra presser fee with gas burner, $1,400. Landis #3 with treadle stand, $3,800.

Singer long arm 29K60 treadle patcher, $250. Singer open arm with 11” clearance, $850. Contact: (217) 8642260 or (217) 855-5050.

Belts & Phone Cases. Top quality at competitive prices.

Any size belt, any size phone. Wholesale. Write: Mose Gingerich, 4659 Shrewsbury Rd., Leitchfield, KY 42754.

Install and remove Chicago screws quickly and easily in the shop or on the trail. $16.95 + $4 S&H. Call for wholesale pricing. Contact: JP’s Brige & Equine Too, 26266 E. County Road 700 N., Easton, IL 62633. (309) 562-7266. E-mail: jp-equinetacktool@casscomm.com, www.jptacktool.com.

My Buyer’s Guide!™

Classified ad rates are $26.50 for the first 20 words and $.65 cents for each additional word. Words (or groups of letters) fewer than three characters are not counted when calculating the cost of the ad. Street addresses are counted as one word. City, state, country, and zip or postal code are combined and counted as one word. Enclose payment when submitting ads. Ads received without payment will be held until payment is made. Ads must be received no later than the fifth of the month prior to the month you wish the ad to run (e.g. ads for the February issue must be in our office by January 5). Typed or neatly printed ads are preferred. We are not responsible for mistakes due to handwriting. Faxed ads must be typed and are accepted with MasterCard, VISA or Discover only.

BUY or SELL or TRADE

My Buyer’s Guide!™ REACH

16,000

Manufacturers • Distributors Wholesalers • Retailers CALL NOW FOR 2015

Proleptic, Inc • PO Box 17817 • Asheville, NC 28816 (828) 505-8474 • info@mybuyersguide.net • mybuyersguide.net

Shop Talk!

Custom made saddle trees, saddles, billets, cinch straps, neck ropes, lead ropes, head stalls, breast collars, bits, and reins. Also horse health products. Contact: Circle W Saddlery, 9565 W. Lebanon Rd., SW, Navarre, OH 44662.

Custom manufacturing available for leather or synthetic products serving the equine, pet, and related industries. Quality and personal service for your project.

Contact: Mud Creek Leather, 9415 W 300 S Topeka, IN 46571, (260) 593-0044. (R&B) For all your leather needs. Call Moser Leather (800) 874-1167 or (513) 889-0500. You can visit our website at www.moserleatherco.com. (R&B) For Sale: The Pro-Concho Turner: The only one in the U.S. Makes removal of decorative conchos a snap! Used with electric drill. Take the fuss and bother out of a difficult job with the Pro-Concho Turner! Saves time, makes money! Rubber gripper protects the concho and makes removal or installation easy. Only $29.00 plus $3.95 S&H, 6-inch steel shank, and rubber gripper. Ready to use!

Contact: Proleptic, Inc., P.O. Box 17817, Asheville, NC 28816, (828) 505-8474, e-mail: shoptalk@proleptic.net.

Wholesale Harness & Supplies. Hdw., Brahma web, dull and shiney PVC sheeting, nylon webbing, nylon thread, harness parts, etc. Try out our new all synthetic blinds and winker stays with wire! As for your FREE catalog today. Contact: Countryside Mfg., 504 S. Humbert St., Milton, IA 52570.

For Sale: “Making Harness: A Step-by-Step Guide”, $58 plus $5.50 S&H. Specs and instructions on how to make and repair six styles of harness from pony to draft, driving, team wagon and mule. Contact: Proleptic, Inc., P.O. Box 17817, Asheville, NC 28816, (828) 505-8474, e-mail: shoptalk@proleptic.net, www.proleptic.net.

For Sale: Pricing Guide: “How to Establish Prices for the Saddle Maker and Leather Worker.” Only $39.95 plus $4.50 S&H. Contact: (828) 505-8474. (12/12) For Sale: New and used Adler, Brother, Consew, Juki, Pfaff, Singer machines for sewing bio-plastic, canvas,

Serving Professional Leather Workers & Manufacturers Since 1984 • Shoe & Boot Repair • Saddle Makers • Harness Makers • Holster Makers • Custom Leather Goods

• Auctions • Wholesale Sources • Classifieds • Industry News • Monthly Specials PO Box 17817 • Asheville, NC 28816 (828) 505-8474 • Fax (828) 505-8476

www.proleptic.net • shoptalk@proleptic.net (Not available to current or former subscribers.)

Shop Talk!

September 2014 |

59

leather and nylon. Available in single or double needles, standard, long arm, flatbed, postbed, cylinder arm. Contact: Bob Kovar, Toledo Industrial Sewing Machine, 3631 Marine Rd., Toledo, OH 43609, (866) 362-7397 or (419) 380-8540. (11/10) For Sale: Tools for the Professional—Ol’ Smoothie swivel knives, blades, stamping tools, and more. Contact: Chuck Smith Tools, Smith & Co., P O Box 2647, Valley Center, CA 92082. (760) 749-5755. Fax (760) 749-5355.

E-mail: olsmoothie@sbcglobal.net. (R&B) www.theleatherguy.org for all your leather, tool, and supply needs. Friendly, helpful staff at (507) 932-3795. (R&B) For Sale: Turnkey saddle store/shop. In southwest Colorado. 2,000 sq. ft. including very nice 3 bed, 2 bath home.

Also 10 ac. fenced with ¼ mile highway frontage. In the heart of ranching, farming, and tourist country. Contact: Jerry or Barb at (970) 882-1570 or cell (951) 966-4284.

Mobile display trailer for sale. Was working saddle shop and clothing sales. Completely self-contained.

32 1/2’ long gooseneck. Fullerton, CA. Request info at: familysales@earthlink.net.

BOOT & SHOE

For Sale: Sutton 750 finisher; Sutton 725 buffing unit; Landis G curved needle; Singer long arm patcher; Singer post machine 51W31; Sutton 5-in-1; Landis 5-in1; Singer 110; American bench mounted fudge wheel; Landis 3 harness stitcher; floor mounted riveter; strap creaser ½” to 1 ¾”; 6” Fenda splitter; Mercury M120-2.

Call: (405) 368-5051.

Used shoe lasts—plastic and wood. 5/8” heel height.

Could be used for rope style boots. Contact: Bill Nordan, 24220 County Rad 83, Robertsdale, AL 36576, (251) 979-3370 or (251) 979-3371

Shop Talk Leather Magazine

N with N

Solid Brass Ferrules G-100A

G-100B CS-101A

CS-101B

$2800 +SH

EACH

custom made

Rosewood Handles Rosewood

Length approx. 4 1/8"- 4 ¼"• All A-styles accept up to ¼" tool stem.

All B-style accept up to 3/16" tool stem • Ready to be drilled.

Ferrules need to be glued in place.

Box 17817 • Asheville, NC 28816 Proleptic, Inc. PhPO828-505-8474 • Fx 828-505-8476

www.proleptic.net • shoptalk@proleptic.net

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September 2014

The “Word of the Day” is histrionic.

Shop Talk!

 Custom Shops • Saddle Makers • Harness Makers 

Pro-Saddler Hammer Long 7 ¹/2" head allows you to work in narrow spaces and makes tacking up easier.

11 ¹/2” hickory handle • Approx. 8 oz.

Wholesale Pricing Available

S/ H

Pro-Concho Turners

Remove & Install Decorative Conchos Quickly!

Pro-Concho Turner

$29+

00

for Conchos 1 /8" & Larger 1

S/ H

for electric drills only

Sizes: 3/8", 1/2", 5/8", 3/4" $36+50

S/ H

$4250 +

Made in the USA!

English & Round Punches 7

/8", 1", 1 1/8", 1 1/4" $4150 +

S/ H

$46+50

1 1/2", 1 3/4", 2"

Individually Handcrafted & Polished

S/ H

5% Discount on Complete 22-Piece Set

Pro-Concho Turner II for Conchos 1" & Smaller

$2600 + S/ H

Extra Grippers Lg: $265 Sm: $235

Proleptic, Inc. Shop Talk!

PO Box 17817 • Asheville, NC 28816 | Ph. 828.505.8474 • Fx. 828.505.8476 September 2014 |

www.proleptic.net • shoptalk@proleptic.net

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ADVERTISERS INDEX American Leather Direct ......................34 Artisan Sewing....................... back cover Beachy Blacksmith ..............................12 Beiler’s Mfg. & Supply .........................56 BioThane .............................................57 Bogle Greenwell Machinery Corp ........54 Bowden Saddle Tree ...........................49 Brayer ..................................................16 Brodhead Collar Shop .........................45 Buckeye Blanket ..................................14 Buckeye Engraving..............................12 Buckle Barn USA .................................42 Buena Vista Blankets ............................7 Buggy Builder’s Bulletin .......................16 Campbell-Randall ................................28 Center Square .....................................18 Charles Hardtke...................................19 Chicago Stockyard ..............................12 Chino Tack ...........................................21 Chuck Smith Tools ...............................25 Chupp Blacksmith Shop ......................50 Coblentz Collar ....................................24 Corriente Tree......................................45 Cut Rite Dies .......................................10 Danny Marlin Knives............................46 EC Leather ..........................................24 Fairview Country Sales........................31 Fine Tool Journal ................................. 11

Foam-Tex.............................................46 Gfeller Casemakers, Inc ......................47 Goliger Leather Co., Inc. .....................54 Hadlock & Fox Mfg. Co........................29 Hand Plait Leather .................................8 Hansen Western Gear .........................51 Hastilow ..............................................18 Hermann Oak ......................................53 Hide House ..........................................23 Hillside Harness Hardware. ... back cover International Sheepskin .......................55 Kalico Products......................................8 Kelly Larson ......................................... 11 Kimmel Boot ........................................33 Landis Sales & Service........................56 Leather Machine Co., Inc., The ...........63 Lewis Sales Co ....................................10 Martin Donnelly....................................20 Mid-River Sales ...................................27 Milton Sokol .........................................46 Mud Creek ...........................................56 Mules and More, Inc. ...........................47 N & A Harness Shop ............................43 Nick-O Sew............................................5 Ohio Plastics Belting Co.. ....................52 Ohio Travel Bag ...................................44 Perfectex Plus LLC ..............................12 Plain Communities Business Exch, .....13

Classified Ads

20 words or less $26.50 Additional words (each) $ .65

Display Ads

Advertising

Precision Saddle Tree .........................15 Proleptic 2, 8, 12, 25, 27, 30, 31, 33, 35, .........................37, 38, 51, 58, 59, 60, 61 Raphael Sewing Machine/TechSew 12, 23 RJF Leather .........................................51 RM Williams Distributing......................47 Ron's Tools ..........................................14 Rural Heritage .....................................13 Schwartz Productions ..........................17 Shelton-Reynolds, Inc .........................50 Sheridan ..............................................16 Shetler’s Collar Shop ...........................51 ShoTan ................................................22 Small Farmer’s Journal........................55 Smoke & Fire Co. ................................41 Springfield Leather ..............................48 Steel Stamps .......................................44 Sugar Valley Collar Shop.....................41 Sun Bias, Inc. ......................................22 Sweat Pad Shop ............................ 11, 52 Tandy Leather ......................................35 TechSew/Raphael Sewing Machine 12, 23 Texas Custom Dies..............................41 Toledo Sewing .......................................3 Troyers Harness ..................................21 Wayne Jueschke .................................18 Western Mule ......................................56 Wickett & Craig ......................................9 Yoder's Pad Shop ................................14

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All inserts must be shipped directly to printer.

Full Page $485.00 Half Page $271.00 Reduce - Reuse - Recycle Quarter Page $147.00 Recycling old magazines, catalogs, and Eighth Page $78.00 newspapers is one of the (Color and guaranteed placement addi- easiest ways to help the tional) environment. To increase the supply of recoverable Setup Charge wood fiber and to reduce the demand $60 per hour with a $18 minimum. Line art on regional landfills, Shop Talk! urges may be inserted at no additional charge. $10 its readers to support recycling efforts in per photo. their communities.

Deadline for advertising copy is the 5th of the month prior to the month of publication. Invoices are due upon receipt. SHATA members who display the SHATA logo in their advertisement receive a 5% discount on display ads. 6 or Inserts Shop Talk! is printed only with inks 12-month prepaid advertising contracts $399 for one page— made from vegetable oil. receive a 5% discount. Discounts may not Maximum trim size: 8-1/4” X 10-3/4” be combined (advertisers may receive Shop Talk! • published by Proleptic, Inc.• P.O. Box 17817 either a SHATA discount or a prepaid Asheville, NC 28816 • email: shoptalk@proleptic.net contract discount).

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September 2014

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Shop Talk!

September 2014 |

63

Shop Talk!

September 2014 12 Monthly Issues $36 Canada & Mexico $39US Other Countries $54US SHATA Members deduct $4

with Boot & Shoe News

P.O. Box 17817 • Asheville, NC 28816 (828) 505-8474 • FAX (828) 505-8476 www.proleptic.net

CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

Check your due date today!

Always first with the News!

Distributors of Quality Hardware & Supplies for the Harness, Tack, Saddlery, and Pet Industries

X

Specials

(prices good thru Sept. 30th)

PEPI COAT CONDITONER Each $6.50

Case $6.00

6 Cases or more $5.75

PURISHIELD WOUND SPRAY Each $24.50 6 or more $23.50

W STYLE T OUR NE ABOU ” K S A ”, 7 /8”, & 1

ckle • ¾ 5705 Bu less Steel ENT STM Stain ADJU

Now In Stock

All Sizes • 2-Groove Semi-Gloss BETA

DESIGNED FOR EASIER

4205 Township Road 629 Millersburg, OH 44654 Request your free catalog today!