December 2013
The Leather Retailers’ and Manufacturers’ Journal
Shop Talk Talk! with Boot & Shoe News
Special
holster issue :
Upsurge in US Holster Manufacturing
:
20 Holster Makers Featured
:
How to Sew Bullet Loops
:
Pendleton Show Report ❆
R
❆
Big Holiday Book Sale!
R
a
Cover holster by Alain Eon Since 1984
www.proleptic.net
$6.50
The Leather Retailers’ and Manufacturers’ Journal
Table of Contents
Shop Talk! WITH BOOT & SHOE NEWS
Issue Dedication ................................................................5 Up & Coming!......................................................................5 Laugh Lines .........................................................................6 Hide Report .........................................................................9 Pendleton Leather Show ..............................................10 All About Holsters ...........................................................12 Holster Market Gets Boost ...........................................26 New Female Shooter ......................................................40 Making Cartridge Loops ...............................................43 Classifieds ...........................................................................62 Cartoon ...............................................................................65
Advertising
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 12-month prepaid advertising contracts receive a 5% discount. Discounts may not be combined (advertisers may receive either a SHATA discount or a prepaid contract discount).
Classified Ads
20 words or less ........................................ $26.50 Additional words (each) ............................... $ .65
Display Ads
Full Page ................................................. $485.00 Half Page ................................................. $271.00 Quarter Page ............................................ $147.00 Eighth Page ............................................... $78.00 (Color and guaranteed placement additional)
Setup Charge
$50 per hour with a $18 minimum. Line art may be inserted at no additional charge. $10 per photo. 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:
at: www.proleptic.net
Shop Talk Leather Magazine
P.O. Box 17817, Asheville, NC 28816 Ph (828) 505-8474 Fax (828) 505-8476
Visit us at 4 |
www.proleptic.net December 2013
Inserts
$399 for one page— Maximum trim size: 8-1/4” X 10-3/4” $45 each additional page. Event flyers must be inserted 60 days in advance. All inserts must be shipped directly to printer.
Reduce - Reuse - Recycle
Recycling old magazines, catalogs, and newspapers is one of the easiest ways to help the environment. To increase the supply of recoverable wood fiber and to reduce the demand on regional landfills, Shop Talk! urges its readers to support recycling efforts in their communities. Shop Talk! is printed only with inks made from vegetable oil.
Shop Talk!
published by Proleptic, Inc. P.O. Box 17817 Asheville, NC 28816 email: shoptalk@proleptic.net
Shop Talk!
A Dedication
T
his issue is dedicated to Alain Eon, 67, of Montrouge, France. In addition to being a noteworthy craftsman, Alain is the author of Restoring Vintage Western Saddles. Alain also occasionally writes for Equiwest and Newestern magazines. He is a founding member of the European Cowboy Gear Maker & Artist Association and a member of the Saddle, Harness & Allied Trades Association. His unique work appears on the cover of this month’s Shop Talk! As a profession, Alain has worked as a technical director and consultant for art magazines in Paris, including Larousse and Beaux Arts. For eighteen years he was president of the Compagnie des Chefs de Fabrication de
l’Imprimerie and currently serves as its honorary president. He is also vicepresident of Amis de Karen, a parents’ association for children with multiple handicaps. For his many achievements as a craftsman, a writer, a publisher, and as a humanitarian, we dedicate this issue in honor of Alain Eon.
Up & Coming Shop Talk! recently sent its Senior Feature Writer and Foreign Correspondent, Nick Pernokas, to France for about ten days. He was hosted by our friend Alain Eon whose help, planning, and extensive contacts made the trip both possible and enjoyable for Nick—thank you once again, Alain! Nick started by covering a big equestrian trade show in Lyon, Equita Lyon, and then ran up and down the country, visiting small custom shops as well as large manufactures of luxury goods, tools, and hardware. He even made a side trip to Switzerland! Tough assignment but we appreciate Nick’s sticking it out. It’ll probably take Nick at least three or four months to organize all the material he came back with and start putting stories together so we hope to be able to share his trip with you in about June or July 2014. In fact, we’re planning to dedicate an entire issue to Nick’s interesting adventures! Stay tuned—should be a good one. Nick (far left) posing with European Cowboy Gear Maker & Artist Association at Equita Lyon.
Shop Talk! Shop Talk!
December 2013 | December 2013 |
5 5
Laugh Lines
A
first grade teacher explained to her class that she was a New York Rangers fan, then she asked her students to raise their hands if they too were New York Rangers fans. Of course, not really knowing if they were Rangers fans or not, everyone immediately raised their hand. Except one little girl. The teacher asked the little girl why she had decided to be different. “Because I’m not a Rangers fan, mam.” “Then what are you?” asked her teacher. “Why I’m proud to be a Red Wings fan!”
From all of us at Shop Talk! and a healthy, happy New Year! boasted the pip squeak. By then the teacher was getting a little perturbed and asked her student why she was a Red Wings fan. “Well, my Dad and Mom are Red Wings fans, and I’m a Red Wings fan, too!” Now the teacher was angry and said loudly, “That’s no reason! What if your Mom was a moron and your Dad was a moron. What would you be then?” The little girl paused and smiled sweetly. “Well, then I’d be a Rangers fan.”
Q: What do snowmen eat for lunch? A: Icebergers! Q: What do you call ten arctic hares hopping backwards through the snow together? A: A receding hare line. Q: Why did the hunter name his sled dog Frost? A: Because Frost bites! 6 | 6 |
December 2013 December 2013
Q: Why did the sled dog bite the man’s ankle? A: Because it was a short dog and couldn’t reach any higher! Shop Talk! Shop Talk!
A blonde was driving one winter day and it began to snow really hard and she couldn’t see a thing; however, she didn’t panic because she remembered what her Dad had once told her: “If you ever get stuck in a snowstorm just wait for a snowplow to come by and follow it.” Sure enough, pretty soon a snowplow came by and she started to follow it. She drove behind the plow for about forty-five minutes. Finally, the driver of the truck stopped, got out, and asked the lady what she was doing so she explained that her Dad had told her if she ever got stuck in a snowstorm then follow a plow. The driver nodded and said, “Well, I’m done with the Wal-Mart parking lot. Do you want to follow me over to Best Buy now?”
W
inters are fierce in Minnesota so the owner of a construction company felt he was doing a good deed when he bought a pair of earmuffs for his foreman. However, when he noticed that the foreman wasn’t wearing the earmuffs even on the coldest days, the boss asked, “Didn’t you like the muffs?” “They were a thing of beauty,” answered his foreman cheerfully. “Then why don’t you wear them?” The foreman explained, “I was wearing them the first day and somebody offered to buy me lunch but I didn’t hear him! Never again!”
I
t’s the Olympic men’s figure skating. Out comes the Russian competitor and he skates around to some classical music in an unimaginative costume, performs some excellent leaps but with no great artistic feel for the music. The judges’ scores were: Britain 5.8; Russia 5.9; United States 5.7; Ireland 6.0—a perfect score. Next comes the American competitor in a sparking stars and stripes costume, skating to some rock music. He gets the crowd clapping but isn’t as technically good as the Russian. He slightly misses landing a triple axel and loses the center during a spin. Artistically, however, it’s a more satisfying performance. The scores were: Britain 5.8; Russia 5.7; United States 5.9; Ireland 6.0—again, a perfect score. Finally, out comes the Irish competitor, wearing a tatty old barn jacket with his skates tied over his Wellingtons. He reaches the ice, trips straight away and bangs his nose which starts to bleed madly. He tries to get up, staggers a few paces then slips again. He spends his entire “routine” getting up then falling down again. Finally, he crawls off the ice a bloody mess. The scores: Britain 0.0; Russia 0.0; United States 0.0; Ireland 6.0! The other three judges turn to the Irish judge and screamed in unison: “How in the world can you give that awful performance a 6.0!” To which the Irish judge replied, “Well, me friends all, you’ve gotta remember it’s mighty slippery out there!”
Shop Talk! Shop Talk!
December 2013 | December 2013 |
7 7
Whips With Authority! Wholesale
Whips of Quality from Texas and the West. From leather, rawhide, and nylon. Bosals, Quirts, Shooflys, Reins, Riatas, Romals, Mecates, Dog Leashes, Mohair, hatbands, novelties and more. Give us a call. You’ll find our prices hard to beat! PO Box 311448 New Braunfels, TX 78131 Al Ludwig Call: 830-629-0540 Cell: 832-754-6099
www.handplait.com email: ajludwig@handplait.com
New
Item Electric Rope/Webbing Cutter
Making Harness: A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE Sizes for:
with 2 5/16" blade
Intro. Price
Regularly $12650 Works with: $11950 • Nylon • Polypro • Coated Webbings
Replacement Blades
Reg. $2495 Intro. Price
December 2013
$58
+ $5.50 SH ($11.50 SH to Canada)
$2200
PLUS S&H
Proleptic, Inc | PO Box 17817 | Asheville, NC 28816 shoptalk@proleptic.net | 828.505.8474 | www.proleptic.net
8 |
Make or Repair:
Single Driving Team Driving Team Wagon Mule Shetland Welsh
Quick Recipes for the Experienced Leatherworker
PLUS S&H
Sale prices good through 1/4/2014
Horse Cob Oversize Draft Mule Pony
480 pp. Over 900 photos, patterns & illustrations. First edition, second printing
Order 6 or more today for $34.80 each!
Contact: Shop Talk!
P.O. Box 17817, Asheville, NC 28816 • (828) 505-8474 Fax: (828) 505-8476 • Email: shoptalk@proleptic.net
www.proleptic.net
Shop Talk!
THE INSIDE SCOOP ON HIGH LEATHER PRICES
THE HIDE REPORT
Please note: The information provided in this article will be at least 30 days old by the time you read it since the hide market, like all commodity markets, is something that changes from day to day and hour to hour. still, despite the fluctuations, the trends mentioned here will hopefully suggest where world markets may to be heading and how you can expect the hide market to behave. There follows extracts and summaries of items that have appeared on www.hidenet.com.
Prices are UP, UP, UP!! And so are hide weights! Heavy Texas Steers are up $1.00. Branded Steers are up $1.00. Butt Branded Steers are up $1.00+. And Heavy Native Steers are up $1.00.
A word to the wise: keep an eye on your leather costs and adjust your prices accordingly!! Here’s a chart which compares prices from about mid-month 2013 to mid-month 2012:
Weight (lbs.)
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Price Last November
Heavy Texas Steers
66-68
$88-90
$92-93
$100-102
$86.50-87.50
Heavy Texas Steers (Hvy)
70-76
$99-100
$100-103
$108-111
--
Branded Steers
66-68
$88-89
$91-92
$100-101
$85-86
Branded Steers (Hvy)
70-76
$97-98
$102-105
$107-109
--
Colorado Steers
66-68
$85-87
$85-87
$97-99
$83-84
Butt Branded Steers
66-68
$93-94
$96-97
$103-105
$87-88
Butt Branded Steers (Hvy)
70-76
$97-98
$108-109
$112-113
--
Heavy Native Steers (Hvy)
70-76
$100-101
$110-115
$115-118
--
Heavy Native Heifers
52-56
$80-82
$82-83
$88-89
$74-75
Branded Heifers
52-56
$77-81
$80-81
$85-86
$72-73
Heavy Native Cows
50-54
$75-78
$75-78
$81-83
$63-65
Branded Cows
50-54
$59-61
$58-63
$64-70
$54.50-56.50
Spready Dairy Cows
50-52
$81-83
$81-83
$88-91
$70-72
100-110
$80-83
$80-83
$86-89
$71-74
Selection
Native Bulls
Shop Talk!
December 2013 |
9
Pendleton Leather Show Grows by Jennifer Fulford, West Coast Bureau Chief
THE
PENDLETON LEATHER SHOW IN SHERIDAN LEATHER TOOK OVER THE TRADE SHOW.
NUMBER OF VENDORS AND CLASSES AT THE
GREW FROM LAST YEAR, WHEN
Vandy Douglas, who owns Sheridan Leather in Wyoming with her husband Luke Harris, is pretty pleased with the results. “It went well, better than last year,” she says. “We’re trying to build it up to a certain point and that entails getting more vendors and having enough classes so it makes sense for people to attend.” The show, held in Pendleton, OR, a small Western mecca near Washington state and Idaho, attracted 350-400 attendees and 23 vendors.
LATE
OCTOBER
of vendors, Vandy says. The show, held in the Pendleton Convention Center, was a nice mix of classes, exhibitors, and a few surprises. Throughout the weekend of Oct. 25-26, Sheridan Leather gave away ten $100 vouchers for winners to spend at vendors’ booths. The organizers also held drawings for gift baskets from local Western retailer Hamley & Co. and leatherworker Chan Geer. The giveaways surprised a few of the attendees in a good way, according to Vandy. “We’re already planning for next year,” she says.
“We had some Canadians and an Englishman and a girl from Switzerland in attendance,” Vandy says, along with folks from Oregon and surrounding Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho. The number of classes in leatherworking and related skills jumped significantly—from about a half dozen last year to fifteen-seventeen classes this go-round. The best comment about the show this year from those in attendance was the growth in the number
One of the more popular classes continued to be a session from a Cobra [The Leather Machine] rep about sewing machine repair and maintenance. Other classes included Chap Making, Learning Lacing Techniques, and Drawing Sheridan Style Patterns. Classes varied in price from free to $125. Vendors included Barry King Tools, Bee Natural Leathercare, Joe Benner, Bork Saddlery Hardware, Brett Bronson, Chuck Smith Tools, Douglas Tools,
Maverick Leather Company
VERICK MA
MC L
LE O. ATH ER C
Dbl Butt/Shoulders (Natural & Finished) Horse Butt Strips Sole Leather Bridle Dbl. Backs
877-845-0080
Restores Natural Gloss
www.MaverickLeatherCompany.com 10 |
December 2013
Shop Talk!
We Buy
Used Books &Artwork
Proleptic, Inc.
PO Box 17817 Asheville, NC 28816 shoptalk@proleptic.net 828.505.8474
Topics include: •Harness •Saddlery •Leather Working •Saddle Making •Shoe & Boot Making •Military •Collecting •Equipment Manuals •Prints •Posters •Paintings
350 Spruce Pine Road • Columbia, KY 42728 • Stitchmaster 441 machines in 9", 16½" also 25" throat. • Parts in stock for all 411 machines. • 1508 NH 5/8" lift, sews a ½" flat bed square stitch.
Hansen Silver, Hermann Oak Leather Co., LaceMaster, Leather Machine Co., Leather Wranglers, Marlin Leather Shop, Norm Lynds & John Wickstrom, Oregon Leather Co., Power Mallet, Ron’s Tools, Sheridan Leather, Steel Stamps Inc., The Tooling Bench, Tandy Leather, Wayne Jueschke, Weber Stirrups, Y Knot Lace, and Van Amburg Leather.
Embossing Dies & Machines Over 50 different styles of embossing wheels Wholesale Makers of Mini Harness, Cruppers, Wholesale
ONLY
Carriage Harness, & Custom Show Harness
New Both Sides Vinyl in 8 Colors
For more information, see the show’s web site www.PendletonLeatherShow.com or call Vandy Douglas or Luke Harris at Sheridan Leather Outfitters, (307) 674-6679. Visit their store at 2047 Coffeen Ave., Sheridan, WY, 82801, or email: info@sheridanleather.com.
Mark Staton Co. Supplier of Exotic Leathers Specializing in:
Alligator & Crocodile
Bellies, Hornbacks, Spliced & Un-Spliced Strips, Pre-cuts
Mark Staton Co. Lafayette, Louisiana 800-224-2867 337-988-9964
Shop Talk!
Serving the Leather Goods Industry Since 1992 High Quality, Fair Prices and Best in Service. markstatonco.com mark@markstatonco.com
December 2013 |
11
All About
Holsters! Wow!! A couple months ago we put out an APB for folks who made holsters, asking for pictures of their work. Frankly, we were not sanguine about the response we’d get. However—while we hoped for maybe a thin trickle at best, we got an outpouring of the first order! So we want to say a big THANK YOU to all the folks who took the time to send us pictures of their work! What a terrific response. You’re sure to agree that the work which follows ranges from the very competent to the downright impressive. We received samples from small custom shops to very large manufactures so there’s a pleasant diversity in design.
This first holster is featured on the front cover of this issue and was made by Alain Eon of 168 rue Maurice Arnoux, Montrouge, France 92120, e-mail: alain.eon@free.fr.
Such lovely work! Enjoy!
12 |
December 2013
Shop Talk!
ALL TO OLS
Krebs Skiver
FREE
shipp
withi i n g throug n us h 12/31/
13
Springs Rollers Blades
Large Spring $38 + SH • Small Spring $19.50 + SH Tempered • Very Limited Supply New Blades Now Available $200 + SH • Rollers $40+ SH
Proleptic, Inc. • PO Box 17817 • Asheville NC 28816 (828) 505-8474 • email: shoptalk@proleptic.net
Shop Talk!
December 2013 |
13
These holsters were made by long-time subscriber and SHATA member Brownie Harrington of T/H Saddle Shop, 920 Fitzhugh Ave., Clovis, NM 88101, (575) 762-1771, e-mail: info@thesaddleshop.com
Steve Morrison of Morrison Custom Saddlery sent these comments along with his submission: “I was still in the Air Force at the point when I made this, and we had a co-worker that was retiring. The Booster Club was getting him a retirement gift, and everyone knew of my leatherwork so they hired me to make a holster for a Glock 23 (I used my Glock 22C to make the pattern). The holster is completely lined, and I put some plastic stiffener in the tab for the snap release. The back side of the snap is between the liner and the shell so that no metal is touching the pistol. The back of the holster is flat as opposed to what is typically seen where both sides are molded around the gun. This way there is a more even contact of the holster against the body, making it more comfortable to wear.� You may contact Steve at 11166 County Road 2174, Whitehouse, TX 75791, e-mail: mercuryman68850@yahoo.com. 14 |
December 2013
Shop Talk!
See our Free Shipping Coupon on page 65! Shop Talk!
December 2013 |
15
Created in 1995, this museum quality rig took 355 man hours to complete. The carving and silver work are original designs of Galco’s custom shop. Each of the 178 pieces of sterling silver was handmade and individually fitted to the rig. The hand carved flowers are three dimensional, raised, filigreed, and inlayed with Morenci turquoise. The lining was completely scroll carved by hand. All carving was done by Richard Gallagher, leather work by Galco’s custom shop, and the silver work was done by Galco’s silver shop.
Contact: Galco International, 2019 W. Quail Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85027, (800) 874-2526, www.galcogunleather.com.
Dummy Guns for Holster Makers Specializing in aluminum molds
» Duncan Customs produce replicas of various makers and models from today’s top manufacturers. » Dummy guns make it easier for holster makers and law enforcement training academies to carry exact duplicates of their duty guns.
CUSTOMS
www.DuncansOutdoor.com
A Subsidiary of Duncan’s Outdoor Shop, Inc. » 501 Salzburg Ave • Bay City MI 48706 • PH 989-894-6691 • FX 989-894-6688
16 |
December 2013
Shop Talk!
Beveler Blender Bonder Boner Folder Molder Modeler Shaper
Original Push Beveler by Master Holster Maker John Bianchi
Multi Purpose • All-In-One Leather Crafter Hand Tool 6” overall, with polished Stainless Steel Shaping Head & Walnut Handle
$87.50 plus shiping
Frontier Gunleather • (760) 324-6198 PO Box 2038 • Rancho Mirage, CA 92270
Shop Talk!
December 2013 |
17
The holster shown above was made for a Colt used in SAA shooting by Plum Creek Leatherworks in Lexington, NE, e-mail: daltonmasterson@yahoo.com
18 |
December 2013
The maker of this rig, Billy Stephenson, writes: “This holster is an 1890’s Cheyenne style holster with a sewn in toe plug for a 5 ½” Colt. The belt is 3” wide and has 30 sewn loops for a .45 cartridge. The set is constructed from Wickett & Craig leather with an oil finish and High Liter to bring out the stamping.” E-mail: bstephenson01@cox.net.
Shop Talk!
These holsters come from Harold Shelton in Lynchburg, VA—Harold, are you any kin to Paul Shelton who lived in Chatham and was a fine craftsman? Contact: Harold Shelton, 19320 Leesville Rd., Lynchburg, VA 24502, (434) 239-1317.
Holster and belt for a .22 Ruger.
Shop Talk!
Holster, belt, and clip holder for a 9 mm Ruger.
Holster and belt with bullet loops for a .357 magnum Ruger.
December 2013 |
19
The folks at Rowe’s Leather have been busy! Here are just a few samples of their work: Contact: Rowe’s Leather, 3219 Hwy 29 S, Hope, AR 71801, (870) 777-8216, e-mail: rowesleather@yahoo.com.
National Leather Supply Ft.Worth Skirting :Latigo
:
:
Texas
:
USA
Veg Calf Lining — 3/4 —
Timber Tan Holster Supreme — 6/7 and 8/9 —
817-878-5797
:
All Exotics :Misc.
Like Us on
www.nationalleathersupply.com
20 |
December 2013
Shop Talk!
Custom made
produCts
We make custom show stall curtains with decorations Also tack box covers, table covers, etc.
• Horse blankets & sheets, shipping boots, harness bags, hay bags, & related items • Reflective bands • Carriage covers 4285 Township Road 628 Millersburg, oh 44654
phone: 330-674-0879
828.665.7060 828.665.7067 fax 1.877.665.7060 order line bucklebarnusa@charter.net www.bucklebarnusa.com
BUCKLE BARN USA 145 Vanderbilt Terrace Asheville, NC 28806
Shop Talk!
WE ARE ONE OF THE LARGEST WHOLESALE BUCKLE DISTRIBUTORS
A huge assortment of styles and designs by USA Manufacturers ●
Licensed Buckles ● Sport Buckles ● Western Buckles ● ● Belt Strips ● Heel Bar & Centerbar Buckles ●
CALL TODAY FOR OUR CATALOG
$5 POSTAGE REFUNDED WITH FIRST ORDER December 2013 |
21
Mike Lubell at Manta Leather specializes in pistol, rifle, and shotgun holsters for mounted shooting competition. His construction is unique in that he doesn’t use sight locks on his pistol rigs. He shapes rawhide to the pistol and inserts a layer between the skirting leather and the suede liner. Mike explains that the pistol will never bounce out during competition but still be easily drawn.
Nice work by Josh Duvall:
Contact: Josh Duvall, Little Joe’s Boots, 2219 Exchange Ave., Oklahoma City, OK 73108, e-mail: jdcustomleather@yahoo. com.
All our halters are made with a heavy double bar buckle and extra heavy squares. The snaps are all stainless steel. Nylon & Leather • Wholesale • Halters • Manufacturer • • Custom Sales • Call for Price List.
Champion Halters
0715N 900W• Shipshewana, IN 46565 260-768-3080 ext 2
Plain Community Business Exchange is a monthly business publication bringing information, products and advertising to the plain community all over north america and Canada.
Subscription Rates: 1 year – $15 | 2 years – $22 | 5 years–$49
Mail or Fax your Subscription to
PCBE - P.O. Box 520, Millersburg, PA 17061 phone 888.692.2499 | fax 888.692.8108 www.plaincommunities.com
22 |
December 2013
We Buy Tools & Bench Equipment Complete Sets & Collections Wooden Tool Boxes & Chests Any Age or Condition Shop Talk! • PO Box 17817 • Asheville, NC 28816 ph: 828.505.8474 fx: 828.505.8476 • email: shoptalk@proleptic.net Shop Talk!
Shop Talk!
December 2013 |
23
INTERNATIONAL WESTERN/ENGLISH APPAREL & EQUIPMENT MARKET
WHERE THE INDUSTRY MEETS January 10-14, 2014
Attend the Denver Market to see for yourself why individuals continuously return to Denver in January. The Western & English Sales Association is going strong after 92 successful years and racing toward the future while keeping the deep seated values of our Western and English heritage alive! 451 E 58th Ave. Suite 4128 Denver, CO 80216 800-295-1041 Denver-wesa.com Like us on Facebook
24 |
December 2013
Shop Talk!
Contact: Manta Leather, 10313 Byrum Woods Dr., Raleigh, NC 27613, (919) 327-1355, www. mantaleather.com. Continued on page 48
Shop Talk!
December 2013 |
25
HOLSTER MARKET GETS BOOST FROM GUN SALE SURGE
O
ften for every powerful action, there’s a swift and equally dramatic reaction. In the aftermath of the horrific mass shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT, even as anguished parents and neighbors appealed to lawmakers for stricter gun controls, pro-gun consumers raced to buy firearms, fearful that new laws might forbid them from doing so. The result has been a record surge in gun sales. And, right along with it—a big hike in the holster market. “We’re booming,” said Gene DeSantis, President of DeSantis Holster & Leather Goods Co., a major holster manufacturer based in Amityville [L.I.], N.Y. “We’ve shown an increase, especially in the last three or four years. Sales have been tremendous, regardless of Newtown, although that had some impact on us. Unfortunately, those things [mass shootings]drive people to the stores. Since 9/11, sales have been steadily uphill. They always are, anytime there’s a move to tighten gun laws.” To explain the sharp rise in demand, he cited the ammunitions market. “I went to see one of our customers in Fort Lauderdale, FL, and was looking for specialty ammo for a .22 handgun. Their shelves were empty. That’s insane. Ammo has never been in such short supply. I think it’s due to hoarding. Shooters feel their gun rights will be infringed upon in the next few years, which will probably be the case. It’s scaring people.”
26 |
December 2013
by Lynn Ascrizzi, Staff Writer
In the aftermath of the Newtown shootings, New York lawmakers raced to pass some of the strictest gun legislation in the country. But DeSantis said tougher restrictions will not really affect his New York-based business. “I could lose New York state and it wouldn’t change my lifestyle. Our graph line is going up— vertically—exponentially. Last year, the increase was close to 50%. Sales are remarkably better this year,” he said. Eight years ago, the company moved into its present, 50,000-square foot facility in Amityville, a building that includes a 30,000 sq. ft. factory area. At that time, DeSantis had 60 employees. Today, the workforce has more than tripled. Since early January, 2013, many of his workers have been put on steady overtime, he said. “Out of about 200 employees, 50 or 60 are coming in early, five days a week. And they work a full day on Saturday to keep up with the demand. We’re always hiring new people. We’ve rearranged the production floor and acquired new machinery to eliminate the overtime,” he said. The company, which also goes by DeSantis Gunhide®, (desantisgunhide.com) currently manufactures about 3,000 holsters per day. Their lines include duty holsters for law enforcement and security use and concealed carry models. Altogether, they manufacture about 200 Shop Talk!
different kinds of made-in-USA holsters, fabricated from leather and also from KYDEX®, a high performance thermoplastic.
Last year, the increase was close to 50 percent. Sales are remarkably better this year.”
and civilian sales follow government sales. But what broke our records is a small, nylon pocket holster called ‘The Nemesis’.”
Nylon holsters are built with The company’s diverse products synthetic cores, he explained. include ankle and shoulder rigs, “It’s shoe material — nylon on belt, sheet, pocket and paddle the outside and a good strong holsters, hunting holsters, field Gene DeSantis, President, core on the inside, which is lined target and Taser holsters, and DeSantis Holster & again with 1060D ballistic nylon. much more. And they also create Leather Goods They’re popular. But leather is accessories such as gun caddies, still king, at least in our producbelts, cartilage and speedloader tion.” Currently, leather holsters comprise pouches, cell phone holsters, and handcuff cases. about 60% of their sales, he said. “The concealed carry holster is our biggest line. Probably our most popular style is the ‘Thumb Break Scabbard’ holster,” he said, designed so the firearm rides high at an optimum draw angle on the belt. “It’s a big seller. Always has been. It crosses the line between law enforcement and civilian [designs]. We make it for the government,
Shop Talk!
U.S. customers make up the majority of sales; international sales are less than 10% of their base. Foreign markets include South and Central America and the Far East, such as Thailand and Japan. “With Japan, they don’t have real guns — they use air-soft guns. Our
December 2013 |
27
holsters are tailored for air soft,” he said. Certain products are sold to the military. “We sell some concealed carry for special operations units. We mostly sell [the military] highly visible holsters, like shoulder holsters, tactical holsters — something to wear on your arm or thigh.” DeSantis got into the holster making business almost 40 years ago. His first holsters were made mostly of horsehide. “But horsehide does not lend itself to mass production. It comes in different thicknesses. You can’t get the consistency. Although it’s terrific for custom work, it takes a highly skilled person to use it, so it’s not cost effective,” he said. Today, their leather products are made from top grain cowhide. “In my opinion, it’s the best leather in the world. Nothing compares with it. We get ours 100% from the US. There are not many American tanneries, but they’re all good,” he said. The factory utilizes about 75 sewing machines, such as Jukis, Adlers, Singers, and Campbells.
“Our workshop refurbishes the old machines and brings them back online, but we have to buy new at this point. All sources [for older machines] have dried up. Up until recently, we only used cutting machines made in USA, like Schwabe. No more. We can get some of the parts. But we’re forced into buying Italian machines like Atom. They’re the top gun cutting machine builders in the world, today. In my opinion, sewing machines made in China are not as good,” he said. The company began in 1974, when DeSantis was a U.S. Army veteran and an unemployed engineering school graduate. He started out as a one-man operation, working with a set of tools on his kitchen table in a one-bedroom apartment in Great Neck, N.Y. “I didn’t have a garage, I had a kitchen table,” he said. “When I officially went into business, I had an order for a dozen pieces, which was a big deal in the beginning. I started to mold them with rubber, and my first molding press was a wine press. I cranked it down with a broomstick handle on top. I improvised a lot of tools,” he said. Today, DeSantis Gunhide is a pre-eminent holster manufacturer. “I would say we’re one of the top ten holster makers in the world.” GOULD & GOODRICH
My Buyer’s Guide!™
Scott Nelson, President of major holster manufacturer Gould & Goodrich (G&G) of Lillington, NC, also commented that gun sales spiked after President Obama’s first election. “It’s because there is a certain amount of panic buying. The surge is all tied directly to the increase of firearm purchases in 2008, with the election year. And fears within the firearms community that Second Amendment rights might be diminished or withdrawn,” Nelson said.
My Buyer’s Guide!™ Reaches every Tack Shop, Harness Shop, English Saddle Shop, Shoe Shop, and Western Store in the US Proleptic, Inc • PO Box 17817 • Asheville, NC 28816 (828) 505-8474 • info@mybuyersguide.net • mybuyersguide.net
28 |
December 2013
The leap in sales has prompted the company to make use of full-time, temporary workers. “We’ve hired about 15 new people this past year. We’re very fortunate. We’ve spent almost 30 years honing manufacturing efficiency. We have a lot more capacity than currently in use. Expansion hasn’t affected us from a manufacturing standpoint,” he said of their 50,000 sq. ft. facility. Shop Talk!
More than 50% of G&G’s diverse holsters models are made from top grain, vegetable tanned leather. Holsters are also manufactured from KYDEX. “The market demand for holsters made from plastics, including KYDEX®, is growing. But leather is our sweet spot. Fifty percent of what we do is leather, and the other 50% is KYDEX®, synthetic leather, and nylon. It depends upon what the user is looking for. Plastic holsters serve a great purpose to the market, but they don’t offer the same feel as leather. Overtime, leather develops a supple wearability that you don’t find in plastic. And there’s a sense of tradition in some sectors that wants a traditional holster. Synthetics are more water resistant, but the plastics don’t shape to your body,” he explained. More than half of their business comes from law enforcement leather products—holsters, belts, and duty gear accessories, such as handcuff cases, low profile belt slide holsters, and restraining belts, Nelson said. Their other line is low profile concealment [LPC] holsters, the majority of which are made from leather. G&G also offers accessories such as belts and handcuff cases, restraining belts and law enforcement hobble straps. “The [LPC] holsters are designed to be more affordable, more versatile and contemporary. One holster can fit dozens of different handgun models. They’re designed to give an outlet for the new demand for concealed carry holsters,” said Nelson. One of their most popular styles is the concealed carry, “two-slot” and “three-slot” pancake holster. In the former, a belt goes in one side and out the other side of the holster. The three-slots allows the owner to adjust the holster cant or angle. Their bestselling duty-style holsters are the leather, level-2 models. “We’ve sold them for many years. They’re built like a Ford truck,” he said. Shop Talk!
The concealed carry, private sector, and sporting side of their business has shown a significant increase in the last two years. “We had not previously pushed that line. But we’ve been pushing more in the past year, since I’ve been on board,” he said, referring to his purchase of G&G earlier this year. Formerly a subsidiary of Smith & Wesson, the company was purchased by Robert Gould and John Goodrich in 1985. G&G is in its 28th year of business.
January 1, 2014 All remaining lots in our Big Tool Sale will be back online and priced to go! See what we’ve got left • Order online or by phone www.proleptic.net • (828) 505-8474
SAVE SAVE SAVE!
www.kellylarsonsales.com
Ostrich Caiman Crocodile Nile Crocodile Nile Croc Backstraps Elephant Hippo Giraffe Stingray Python Goat Skins Outsole / Insole Bends Pre-Cut Outsoles Heels Welt
1812 Reliance Parkway • Suite G. • Bedford, TX 76021 Ph: 817-399-0044 • Fx: 817-399-0040 Email: elarson@kelly-larson.com December 2013 |
29
BONDED NYLON THREAD
1-866-415-8223
www.TECHSEW.com Lasting Quality and Style Matte Finishes Many Colors
Easy Cleaning Easy Sewing Durable, Flexible
BETTER PRODUCTS & BETTER PRICES
P.O. Box 593, Columbia Station, OH 44028 Voice: 800-357-5070 Fax 440-243-5326 Email daves@firstlocal.net Website www.ohiothane.com
“It’s not going to last forever,” he said of the surge. “There’s a window of opportunity now. It could close pending next elections. If concerns abate about gun control, there might be a corresponding decrease in demand. Several states have passed gun control laws. Colorado was one, which was surprising to some people. The firearms market is beginning to speak. Some firearms companies are thinking of moving out of state. The market says, ‘We’re not going to buy your products if you’re in an anti-gun state.’ ” G&G products are made in the USA, with the U.S. consumer their biggest customer, although product distribution can vary widely, based on international sales. Their products are also sold to law enforcement communities in about 20 countries, including France, Hong Kong, Puerto Rico, the Middle East, and Mexico. “We do no online sales. Almost all of our business is conducted via distributors to end users. We’re a high quality, high efficiency manufacturer. That’s what we’re good at and where we want to be,” he said. “A lot of holsters manufacturers and leather industries are in Mexico,” Nelson added. “But when talking about quality, law enforcement duty gear, that’s when U.S. products become competitive. Life depends upon a holster, regardless of how it’s used. This is especially true in law enforcement.” “MOM & POP” CONTENDERS Mark Coxon, who works in sales at Thoroughbred Leather, a vegetable tanned leather supplier located in Louisville, KY, offered more insights regarding the high demand for guns, holsters, and hides. Holster manufacturers account for a large portion their sales.
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.
30 |
December 2013
“Sales have increased,” according to Coxon, a demand that has prompted the business to streamline the way in which hides are sold. ”One way we have improved our offerings is by making a black strap leather back with the flesh side finished. This allows the holster maker to devote more time to making holsters rather than hand dying the leather. Also, since the leather is in a back, the holster maker doesn’t have the waste of the belly.” Their tannery is located in Orizaba, Mexico, he said. Shop Talk!
“The small guys [holster manufacturers] are really doing well. They’re all over the country, from Arizona to Florida, to New York.”
NUTRA-GLO™ Nutritional Feed Supplement for Horses, Ruminants, Dogs and Poultry (Liquid Products)
—Mark Coxon, sales, Thoroughbred Leather Vegetable tanned steer hide, offered at Thoroughbred, is the optimal choice for holster makers, Coxon added. “A steer is raised for meat, a cow is raised to birth a calf or for milk. Cows are typically older, thinner, and have range marks. The steer hide is going to be tighter and cleaner. Most veg tanneries use steer hide. Our strap and tooling leather, which is used for holsters, is split from heavier skirting leather,” he explained. Coxon noted that heavy steers are currently in very high demand around the world. “We are constantly working with our hide suppliers to acquire the best raw material available. We increased our prices at the first of the year and are always battling record hide prices. However, at this time, we do not see an increase or surcharge in our immediate future,” he said. Thoroughbred Leather customers include major U.S. holster manufacturers and a lot of smaller, “mom-and-pop” shops, he said."The small guys are really doing well. They’re all over the country—from coast to coast.” These grassroots businesses are “doing good surprising numbers,” he noted. “The market share for major holster manufacturers, however, is not necessarily shrinking. They’re selling everything they can make, as there are a lot of buyers due to the political climate. But there are more holster makers out there,” he said. Scott Nelson of G&G had more observations about mom-and-pop-sized holster makers. “A lot of [smaller] shops have started or grown. There’s been a lot of quality design innovation happening in that area. A lot of those people are in the shooter community. Holsters made of KYDEX® are part of that [segment]. And a lot of folks are doing well. There’s a demand for these tactical holsters oriented for weekend shooting enthusiasts who go to outdoor ranges. It’s something affordable,” he said. Shop Talk!
hoice The 1st tofChundre ds of
en Supplem Hors e O w ners, s! to d ay ’s & Tr ad er Tr ainers
Shop Owners...
Supply your customers with one of the finest horse feed supplements on today’s market! “Call for wholesale prices”
We Supply all Literature! — Runs $8-$10/horse/mo —
Approved Organic d Poultry Dairy an Available s ct u d Pro
Discover Your Herd’s Maximum Potential!
™
Dealer orders shipped same day! ✯✯ 30 days same as cash!
For more information contact:
Sunrise Supply LLC. P.O. Box 104 Winesburg, OH 44690
866 • 704 • 2374
December 2013 |
31
FRONTIER GUNLEATHER Any talk about holsters would be incomplete without a word from the legendary John Bianchi, President and CEO of Frontier Gunleather, Cathedral City, CA. The company is renowned for its master craftsmen who create limited edition, Western-style holsters and gun belts for collectors. In fact, when it comes to gunleather, Bianchi insists that he coined the term. Indeed, the word is used in the title of his classic 1978 book, Blue Steel and Gunleather: A Practical Guide to Holsters. Bianchi is also the subject of a 2010 fully illustrated biography, John Bianchi: An American Legend: 50 Years of Gunleather, by Dennis Adler with an introduction by actor Jim Arness. Bianchi, who has been in the holster business for more than half a century, was reluctant to give his age. “Old!” was his humorous retort. Decidedly unretired after decades in business, he quipped: “I’m not old enough to play golf.”
26th Annual
Custom Boot � Saddle Makers Roundup
Holster sales are not uniform but based on styles, he said. “Conservatively, yes, holster sales are up. But some holsters are up more than others. Because of the interest in personal security and concealed carry, that category is up in general,” he said. Regarding Frontier Gunleather, “sales are good,” according to John. “Oh, yes. Stats have gone up at Frontier Leather for the past three years, about 20%. We’re doing fine. We’re a custom shop, not a production one. We produce the most expensive leather goods in the country today. We’re the Rolls Royce of holsters. We have a specialized market, a long-term following. People who want premier work come to us. We’re now selling to their grandchildren,” he said. Although he did not want to disclose how many employees are currently working in his 2,500square foot custom shop, “from time to time, we draw from a stable of craftsmen,” he said. Fifty percent of his workers are female.
to b $5 Sa e aw ,00 tur ard 0 da ed y. M th in C us roug ash tb P e p hout rize res th s en e d t to ay wi on n.
Friday, Oct. 3 • 9 am - 6 pm Saturday, Oct. • 4 • 9 am - 6 pm MPED • 1000 5th St • Wichita Falls, TX www.bootandsaddlemakerstradeshow.com 32 |
December 2013
For Information Contact: Eddie & Kathy Kimmel, Kimmel Boot • 2080 CR 304, Comanche, TX 76442 Email: kimmels@cctc.net • Phone: (325) 356-3197 • Fax: (325) 356-2490 Shop Talk!
“We’ve been at this for a very long time. The holster making market is a mature market. It’s highly populated by a lot of amateurs. There are more people today making holsters than any time in history,” said John. But, it takes more than just being a leather crafter to make a holster, he pointed out. “A holster maker is a dedicated specialist. Holster makers are not saddle makers, and saddle makers are not holster makers. There are very rare exceptions to that hard-and-fast rule. Too many craftsmen do not understand the sophisticated complexity of holster making. “For a person to be a successful boot maker, they must understand anatomy—foot and bone structure and walking patterns. Amateurs don’t get the message. Most successful saddle makers understand human anatomy. There’s a relationship between the man, the saddle, and the horse. The same holds true in the now very sophisticated world of holster making.” Bianchi, who conducts an annual, graduate level workshop “for purist holster makers,” cited three critical steps in holster making: “The man. The gun. The holster. This is universally accepted as ‘Bianchi’s Law,’ ” stated John, referring to the important relationship between those three components. His next “Holster Making Workshop” will be held March 6 - 8, 2014, at the 14th Annual Southwest Leatherworkers Trade Show, Prescott Resort & Conference Center, Prescott, AZ. “Seating is limited—we cap our students at about 20,” he said. Besides Bianchi, instructors include master craftsmen Matt Whitaker and James Travis Luz who help him conduct the class. Students must bring their own leather tools. The class supplies all the materials, hardware, and sewing machines. “The workshop fills up very fast. It sells out every year,” Bianchi said. For more information, contact: Leather Crafters and Saddler’s Journal, 222 Blackburn St., Rhinelander, WI 54501 or call: 1-888-289-6409. The Prescott Resort & Conference Center is located at 1500 State Route 69 Prescott, AZ 86301, 1-800-967-4637.
Shop Talk!
December 2013 |
33
rugged trail of the historic American West. The colorful names of its authentically designed holster and gun belt models echo the unruly frontier period. For example, the company offers “The Texas Ranger,” “The Bounty Hunter,” “The Tombstone,” “Aces & Eights” (styled from the double cross draw outfit worn by Wild Bill Hickock) , “The Gunfighter Special,” and others. Holster rigs also immortalize Hollywood and TV Westerns greats with names like “The James Arness” (Marshal Matt Dillon of “Gunsmoke”), “Rawhide II” (1960’s spaghetti westerns featuring Clint Eastwood), and “The Original Model 100” or “Duke’s Special,” a holster rig that Bianchi made for the iconic star, John Wayne. And there are the historically accurate limited editions such as “The General Pershing ” and “The General George Patton”. In a more contemporary vein is “The Hip Clip,” designed for small and medium frame, concealed carry handguns, and “The Pocket Pal” for small frame revolvers — both made of suede. Silver buckles and other accessories round out the offerings. Bianchi has also produced a 3-DVD set: “Art and Secrets of Advanced Western Holster Making with John Bianchi.” (artisanideas.com) Frontier Gunleather’s handsome 36-page catalog will give browsers a memorable trip down the
Bianchi, a former police officer, also served in the California National Guard and active duty in the U.S. Army. He retired as Major General and Commanding General of the California State Military Reserve. He was recalled for a post-retirement tour of duty after Sept. 11, 2001 and retired a second time in 2004. While President and CEO of Bianchi International (1958 to 1990), he manufactured 20 million belts, holsters, and accessories before he sold the company. Today, that company is still one of the largest holster manufacturers in the world. “Bianchi International is up [in sales] substantially — a multi-million dollar entity that makes holsters, belts, and accessories for the police, the military, and sportsmen,” he said. That company, including a few other leather companies, are under the corporate umbrella of Safari Land, a firm that Bianchi cofounded. Currently, it has 1,700 employees.
34 |
December 2013
Shop Talk!
Shop Talk!
This article originally appeared in Guns & Ammo.
December 2013 |
35
Holiday Book Sale Encyclopedia of Knots and Fancy Rope Work
Encyclopedia of Rawhide and Leather Braiding
by Raoul Graumont and John Hensel, 4th edition, hard cover, 689 pp. This is the reference for any & all knots that have ever been tied on land or sea. Splicing also discussed. Was: $39.95
by Bruce Grant, hard cover, 528 pp. Dozens and dozens of braids illustrated and described. Step-by-step explanation for each entry. If you could have only book on braiding, this would have to be it. Great for both reference work as well as instruction. Heavily influenced by Argentine braiders and their techniques. Was: $29.95
SALE PRICE: $33.95
SALE PRICE: $25.45 How to Establish Prices for the Saddlemaker or Leather Worker by Robert G. Brenner: paperback, 68 pp. The best pricing information available for the leatherworker. It answers all the questions you ever had about your business. This is the real thing and will help any craftsman to be a better businessperson. Was $39.95
Dictionary of Leatherworking Tools c. 1700-1950 and the Tools of the Allied Trades by R. A. Salaman: paperback, 350+ pp. Useful information for harness and saddlemakers, shoe and boot makers, hat and glove makers, book binders and more. The most complete leather-working tool reference available. Was $37.50
SALE PRICE: $31.90
SALE PRICE: $33.95 How to Make Cowboy Horse Gear by Bruce Grant, author of Encyclopedia of Rawhide and Leather Braiding. Also conatins apx. 42 pp. section by Lee M. Rice entitled“How to Make a Western Saddle”. Paperback. 186 pp. For beginning rawhide braiders. Covers making a Turk’s Head, rawhide bosal, braided hackamore, reins, headstall, romal, quirt, honda, hobbles, decorative braided knots, and more. Was $12.95
The Art of the Western Saddle
by Bill Reynolds: hard cover, 160 pp. Highlights the work of great traditional and contemporary saddle makers. Many fine examples of silver and gold overlay. Over 300 photos. Was $52
SALE PRICE: $44.20
SALE PRICE: $11.00 Saddles
by Russell H. Beatie, hard cover, 391 pp. An eclectic & interesting collection of information about saddles of all types, past and present. The history and development of each part of the saddle is discussed. Evolution of saddles is traced from prehistoric times to present. Sidesaddles also featured along with English saddles and American Cavalry saddle. Photos are generally poor quality but are plentiful & depict some very interesting & unique historical saddles and other riding accessories. Was: $75
SALE PRICE: $63.75
Packing Iron: Gunleather of the Frontier West by Richard Rattenbury: hard cover, 219 pp. This is the authoritative reference for the holsters, gun rigs, & rifle scabbards made in the Old West. 300 stunning color photos. Great “idea book” for both you and your customers. Was $45
SALE PRICE: $38.25
HURRY! Sale Ends December 31st
P.O. Box 17817 Asheville, NC 28816 | P 828.505.8474 | F 828.505.8476 | www.proleptic.net | shoptalk@proleptic.net
15% Discount & Free Shipping!
within the US
Was $21.50
Was $9.95
SALE PRICE: $18.25
SALE PRICE: $8.45
English Saddle Repair
Shoe Repairs That You Can Do
Leather Facts: How to Better Evaluate & Buy Leather 20 pp Was $11.50 ON SALE: $9.80
Resoling Rocky Mountain Boots • Installing Lifts in a Woman’s Sneaker • Rebuilding Birkenstock Sandals •Resoling an Allen Edmunds Men’s Dress Shoe Making Your Repair Shop Successful • Half Soles & Heels for a Western Boot • Repairing Worn HeelsResoling Running Shoes • Potions & Lotions • Rocky Mountain Boots Revisited: New Soles & Mid-soles • Installing a Three-Quarter Wedge into Sandals Was $22.50 52 pp
• Disassembling the Saddle • Replacing Billets • Fixing a Broken Tree • Sewing on Panels • And More Repairs You Can Do Was $21.50 52 pp
SALE PRICE: $18.30
Making a Halter/Bridle: A Step-by-Step Guide
Was $16.00 36 pp ON SALE: $13.60
ON SALE: $19.15
Leather Projects You Can Do: Volumes I- VIII Volume I
Volume II
$21.50 ON SALE $18.30
$22.50 ON SALE $19.15
• Installing Strings on a Western Saddle • Replacing the Wool on a Western Saddle, Part One & Part Two • Replacing Western Stirrup Leathers, Part One & Part Two • More Tips & Tricks for Replacing Western Stirrup Leathers
Volume III
• More Western Saddle Repairs • Making a Carpenter’s Apron, • Making an Old Fashioned Part One & Part Two Western Bridle • Making a Farrier’s Apron • Making Tapaderos: • Making a Custom Tool Pouch Different Styles & Sizes • Making a Walkie Talkie Case • More Tapaderos $19.50 ON SALE $16.60 • Repairing a Western Saddle Horn
Volume V
Volume VI
$22.00 ON SALE $18.70
$19.50 ON SALE $16.60
• How to Make Rounds • Making a Rounded Throat Latch • Making a Mule Riding Bridle • Making a “Brollar” • Making a Team Breast Collar • Fast Facts
• Collars, Couplers & Leashes, Part One & Part Two • Installing Spikes & Spots • Making Dog Harness • Making Dog Tracking Harness • Making a Dog Muzzle
PLUS · Service Manuals
· Instruction Manuals · Parts Lists
Volume VII
• Making a Leather Log Box • Making Leather Pockets for Billiard Table • Repairing a Leather Gun Case: New Straps & Handle • Replacing Trunk Handles • Rerigging a McClellan Saddle
$19.50 ON SALE $16.60
Volume IV
• Making a Pistol Holder • Making a Western Gun Belt • Making Shell Loops • Making a Detachable Shell Carrier • Making an Adjustable Rifle Sling with Shell Pouch
$17.00 ON SALE $14.45
Volume VIII
• Making a Possible Bag for Black Powder Shooting • Restringing Bells • Making Leather Suspenders • Making Cow & Horse Hobbles • Making a Knife Sheath • Making a Double Bit Axe Sheath • Making a Single Bit Axe Sheath
$22.00 ON SALE $18.70
We have a variety of manufacture specific manuals. Visit www.proleptic.net for the list of manuals & prices or give us a call and we can mail you the information.
Proleptic, Inc. | P.O. Box 17817 Asheville, NC 28816 | P 828.505.8474 | F 828.505.8476 | www.proleptic.net | shoptalk@proleptic.net
Company headquarters and manufacturing facility in Phoenix, AZ.
has legalized some form of concealed carry law that will allow a citizen to obtain a permit for a concealed carry weapon.” Leather holsters dominate their product line. “We are still over 90% leather. Our leather holsters are literally made by hand, on sewing machines. Our premium lines are hand molded. They’re made by many sets of human hands,” Barham said. GALCO INTERNATIONAL “It’s been a busy year,” said Mike Barham, of Galco International (Galco Gunleather), a holster manufacturer located in Phoenix, AZ. “We have sold over one-half million holsters, each year, for the last three years. We are on track to go well over one-half million. We’ve doubled the manufacturing space of our 20,000-square-foot facility. We’re also adding another, 26-000-square-foot, freestanding building to be devoted to either more manufacturing or more warehouse space,” he said. Galco’s workforce has grown to 200 employees, and currently, the company is hiring. “We’ve recently added overtime, and we’ve stabilized things to discontinue the overflow of orders. We’re building inventory. We don’t foresee a slowdown in three years,” he said. This year, the company introduced five new products at the annual Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trade Show (SHOT Show) and Conference, the largest trade show for professionals involved with the shooting sports, hunting, and law enforcement industries. The company expects to introduce half a dozen more new products at the 2014 Shot Show 2014, in January 14–17 at the Sands Expo and Convention Center in Las Vegas, NV. Barham, who is Galco’s media and public relation manager, points to two prime reasons for the surge. “It’s because of a certain amount of panic buying. People are afraid of a liberal leaning president. We like to joke — ‘Obama is the best gun salesman since Bill Clinton.’ Also, every state 38 |
December 2013
The company also offers a smaller lines of holsters made from thermoplastics, a matrix line of injection molded plastics and a line made of KYDEX®, a material that comes in sheets and is molded by vacuum, forming to the shape of the handgun. Their “Miami Classic,” a leather shoulder holster popularized in the 1980s by NBC TV’s “Miami Vice,” is the company’s flagship model. “It’s a strong seller and the most recognizable of our holsters,” he said. The “FLETCH,” a belt holster that is highly popular holster with law enforcement, is crafted with a pancake design and comes with a retention strap. Also popular is “The Concealable,” an open top, side belt holster with no retention strap, made for the civilian market. “Ninety percent of our products sold are holsters for handguns,” commented Barham. The company also offers accessories such as belts, ammunition carriers, and a line of sporting products including shell pouches for shotgun shooters and gun cases. Walk into Galco’s large workspace and you’ll see in operation a dozen or so Landis No. 3. harness stitching machines. They also operate a number of heavy stitchers built by Randall such as the Campbell and Cyclone as well as Landis 16’s and Union Lockstitches. “We have some stitchers that are 100 years old. The parts are nonexistent; we make replacement parts in the machine shop. We have plenty of backup machinery,” he said. Galco also has about a half dozen leather craftsmen who can repair anything on a holster, except torn Shop Talk!
Many of Galco’s holsters are stitched on heavy duty harness stitchers over 100 years old.
Above: One of Galco’s senior craftsmen molding a FLETCH holster. He’s been with the company over 20 years and has hand molded more than a million holsters.
leather. “Because our line is high quality, we get very few items back,” said Barham. “We do quite a bit of custom work as well, confined to modifications of our standard products.” Richard Gallagher, a leather craftsman, founded Galco International in 1969 in Chicago. “A Chicago policeman asked him to make a shoulder holster and word got around. Suddenly, there was a line of police officers wanting shoulder holsters.”
Your Source For All Things Leather
The business was first called The Famous Jackass Leather Company, he added. “Mr. Gallagher liked to say that he was stubborn as a mule. Also, he liked to work in horsehide,” explained Barham. “A lot of ‘horsehide’ comes from jackasses. To this day, the company is occasionally sent shoulder holsters to repair that are 30 years old, with the Jackass stamp on them.” The stubborn toughness of the Galco product continues to extend to its founder, Barham noted. “Mr. Gallagher is still president of the company. He doesn’t occupy a cushy office. He’s in the custom workshop, right now, hand tooling a holster.” Shop Talk!
Request a copy of our 2014 BUYER’S GUIDE @ tandyleatherfactory.com TLF_STAD_1013
December 2013 |
39
THE NEW FEMALE SHOOTER by Lynn Ascrizzi
W
omen’s fashion can pack a big surprise inside its capricious, designer sleeve. These days, it just might be a handgun.
So, you think that stylish leather handbag is just a handbag? That daybook planner just a daybook? That brassiere just a bra? Look out, dudes. They could be concealment holsters. “I do a line for women,” said Gene DeSantis, President of DeSantis Holster & Leather Goods Co. (DeSantis Gunhide) of Amityville, N.Y. “We have purse holsters and also thigh holsters they wear under their dress. We’re about to conclude the design of a brassiere holster. We have all the prototypes done, in production. It is the biggest part of the market increase. Gals really love this stuff,” he said.
In fact, the company had offered handbag concealment holsters for women years ago. But at the time, only female police officers bought them, he said. “They bought the ugliest one, as far as I’m concerned. It looked institutional—something the Army would issue. It was over 25 years ago that we started with the bags. But we gave them up for five or six years. The market wasn’t strong enough to continue. Everything changed with the concealed carry laws. As they changed, so did the business.” Women’s gun ownership has surged in tandem with the recent spike in U.S. gun sales, jumping from 13% in 2005 to 23% in 2011, according to Gallup polls. Moreover, the National Sporting Goods Association reports that from 2001 to 2011, target shooting sports among women have dramatically risen by 51.5%, with 5 million women currently involved. And women’s participation in hunting is up 41.8%. Percentage hikes like these are not going unnoticed by holster manufacturers, like DeSantis (www.desantisholster.com). Recently, the company has designed about a half dozen new items that target women, featured in their 2014 catalog (released in Oct. 2013). For instance, “there’s a thigh holster designed with garters, to hold it up. And, pink revolver grips for carrying a revolver without a holster. It has an extension on it, so you can tuck the gun into your pocket,” said DeSantis. “There is so much action on that part of the market that there are whole magazines devoted to women shooters,” he pointed out, citing Women & Guns, in print for 20 years. More recently, online publications aimed at female gun consumers are springing up like legion, such as Gun Goddess (www. GunGoddess. com) which recently featured the Flashbang Bra Holster designed by Lisa Looper of Looper Brand. The thermoplastic, molded clamshell holster tucks beneath a bra band, the grip pointing down, secured by both the band and a soft suede strap. Its open bottom design allows the
40 |
December 2013
Shop Talk!
gun to be drawn simply by pulling straight down on the gun grip while the suede strap retains the holster. Currently available at DeSantis is the “Hide and Chic” purse holster made of supple garment leather. It comes with a hidden gun compartment, accessed on either end of the purse, with storage space for keys, cell phone, and the like. There’s their small, clipstyle “Bag-Packer” which allows a woman to carry a handgun in a fixed position in a handbag. “Men are using them, also, in briefcases. They’re not strictly for women. We're even making ads with women in them: ‘Designed for men but women love them too,’ ” explained DeSantis. Mike Barham, media and public relations manager for Galco International of Phoenix, AZ, noted that a majority of products
1967
Since
purchased by women are unisex. “Which isn’t really surprising, when you consider a very large majority of guns and ammo purchased by women are also unisex. This creates challenges in determining the overall percentage of our sales to men versus women, especially in a day and age when most orders take place on the Internet. Using key Galco indicators for holster items purchased exclusively by women, we can see that our sales have steadily increased by 50% for a number of years,” he said. Women gun consumers are a big part of the market scheme at Galco (www.usgalco.com). “We make about 10 holster handbag styles for women,’’ said Barham, such as the “Pandora,” made of full grain glove leather, finished in tan or black. A self contained, side entry holster compartment features a locking zipper and can accommodate most small and large frame handguns. The “Bebe,” a smaller, clutch bag style holster works equally well with evening attire or jeans. The bag conceals a zippered, lined compartment with a stretchy holster set at an angle for easy access.
SUN BIAS, INC.
INDUSTRIAL SEWING SERVICES 1718 N. 1ST. STREET ** MILWAUKEE, WI. 53212 Serving the needle trades 90 years. POLYPROPYLENE WEBBING Firsts & Seconds. 28 colors on Firsts
NEW AND IMPROVED
59/60” NYLON FABRICS Firsts & Seconds Urethane Coated. 60 colors on 1000-Denier & many other fabrics.
Hame Bender • Adjustable blocks on top bar
HOOK & LOOP Sew on 1/4” to 6”, some widths in 35 colors. P. S. (Stick on) 5/8”-5” Rubber & Acrylic. SPECIAL Hook/Loop. Call for prices
• Bends all hames from Buggy Hames to Stainless Steel Pulling Hames with ease
ELASTICS Woven H D 1” thru 3” & Ex H D, also knitted & braided types. PLASTIC & METAL HARDWARE for webbing & miscellaneous items Grommets Washers 3 colors & Snaps 39 cap colors.
A must for fitting your hames to the collar For more information and a complete catalog on hames and harness hardware, write to: Chupp Blacksmith Shop Ltd. 9107 Township Road 609 Fredericksburg, Ohio 44627
Shop Talk!
85263 Chupp ad 3.5x4.75 1
Firewood Bundle Webbing Handles Automated Hot/Sear Cutting on webbing, Elastics and Hook & Loop. For no-fray ends use Hot cutting on webbing for belt tip ends. 2-1/4” Electric Webbing & Rope Cutters for cut it yourself. Self-Locking Nylon Ties (Cable Ties) 4” thru 15”. BIAS or STRAIGHT CUT fabric binding tape slitting SINGLE & DOUBLE folded Bias Tapes * 200+ colors. CORD EDGE PIPING 200+ colors & Asst. Cord Fillers for horse blankets.
Up to 200 Catalog color pages available. Save paper order as needed from our catalog index pages and the latest changes by e-mail in the same day to sales@sunbias.com (or USPS mail takes longer) TOLL FREE NATION WIDE 1-800-425-4747 • FAX 1-414-265-5353
MOST IN STOCK MATERIALS ARE SHIPPED WITHIN 24 HOURS. MASTER CARD,*VISA,*DISCOVER & E-CHECKS
6/19/13 9:42 AM
December 2013 |
41
CONTACTS
DeSantis Holster & Leather Goods Co. 431 Bayview Ave. • Amityville, NY 11701 1-800-GUNHIDE or 1-800-424-1236• (631) 841-6300 Fax: (631) 841-6320 • sales@desantisholster.com www.desantisholster.com “We have a growing segment of that market. A large percent of those sales are made online. The women’s concealment holsters are certainly profitable enough to keep in our line,” Barham said. DeSantis echoed the sentiment: “We’re anxious to get that piece of the market. Absolutely.”
Read ONLINE
www.proleptic.net
Gould & Goodrich (G&G) 709 E. McNeill St. • Lillington, NC 27546 (910) 893-3006 • 1-800-277-0732 gouldusa@gouldusa.com • www.gouldusa.com John Bianchi’s Frontier Gunleather 68845 Perez Rd. • Suite H-2 • Cathedral City, CA 92234 1-877-877-4704 • (760) 324-6198 webmaster@frontiergunleather.com • www.frontierleather.com Galco International (Galco Gunhide) 2019 W. Quail Ave. • Phoenix, AZ 85027 1-800-USGALCO (874-2526) • (623)-434-7070 Fax (623) 582-6854 or 1-800-737-1725 www.usgalco.com
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!
Outstanding service! Real leather sample cards available!
Goliger Leather Company 800 423-2329 Fax 805 650-1742 email: service@goligerleather.com Visit our website: goligerleather.com
42 |
December 2013
Shop Talk!
A Short Treatise on Making Cartridge Loops by Matt Whitaker, Frontier Gunleather
OKAY,
SO YOU HAVE SOMETHING THAT YOU NEED TO PUT LOOPS ON TO HOLD CARTRIDGES. FORTUNATELY, THERE ARE SEVERAL WAYS TO MAKE CARTRIDGE LOOPS APPROPRIATE TO ANY SKILL LEVEL FROM BEGINNERS, WITH JUST A FEW TOOLS, TO PROFESSIONALS WITH A SHOP FULL OF TOOLS AND A SEWING MACHINE.
Tools you will need include a ruler, dividers (I prefer ones with rounded off points), a selection of slot punches, and a means of stitching if you are going to sew the loops on. The most important thing you will need to create cartridge loops is a cartridge of the caliber called for. Each caliber cartridge has a different diameter. A loop made for a .357 cartridge will not accommodate a .45 cartridge, for example. Some cartridges are close enough in diameter that you can use the same measurements for several different sizes. For example, I use the same measurements for .45, .44, and for .38-40 cartridges. When asked to make loops for a cartridge you don’t have measurements for, get an empty, fired casing from your customer. It is not a good practice to have the customer send a live cartridge to you but empty cases are harmless. When selecting leather for your loops keep things in perspective. You will not want to use 5 oz. for .22 loops. I usually try to keep .22 loops in the 2/3 oz. range, 3/4 oz. leather for most handgun and small rifl e calibers, 4/5 oz. for large rifl e calibers and shot shell loops. The width of the strap will
be dictated by the length of the cartridge. Since you remove a cartridge from a loop by pushing it up from the bottom, you need to expose enough of the cartridge so there is plenty to grab on to at the top once the cartridge has been pushed up. A good guideline is to have the strap the width of two-thirds the length of the cartridge. First take the strap you intend to use (a damp strap is a lot easier to bend to shape) and place it over the cartridge. Then adjust your dividers so that both points will push the strap fl ush with the piece of leather you’ll be sewing the loop to.
TIP! Your looping will look better with a crease line! A good visual balance is when the crease lines are one-fifth the width of the looping material from the edge.
After this step you will actually come away with two measurements—the shorter measurement is what you get after the loop is formed. The longer measurement shows you how much leather you’ll need to make the loop Horses, Hitches, and Rocky Trails by Joe Back: paperback, 117 pp. This slender volume is referred to by experienced horsepeople as “The Packer’s Bible.” It is a gem! Simply the best and most practical How-to book on packing that is available. Reg. $1295 ON SALE 00 NEWLY REPUBLISHED
$11
PLUS S&H
Proleptic, Inc • PO Box 17817 • Asheville, NC 28816 • 828-505-8474 www.proletic.net • shoptalk@proleptic.net
Shop Talk!
December 2013 |
43
HOLIDAY BOOK SALE BLOW OUT
Sale Ends December 31st Restoring Vintage Western Saddles By Alain Eon Alain is one of the foremost restorers of collectible saddles in world. He shares all his secrets about how to restore worn out and “dead” leather in his new 64 page book. His methods are practical and easy to understand. Was $45.00
SALE PRICE: $38.25 The Business of Saddle Making
by Pete Gorrell: paperback, 58 pp. Includes: pricing; retail vs. wholesale; figuring cost; market strategy; work sheets. Was $12.50
SALE PRICE: $10.60
Braiding Fine Leather: Techniques of the Australian Whipmakers
NEW BOOK by David W. Morgan For beginner/intermediate. Flat and round braiding–4, 6, 8 strand. 7 projects. Clear step-by-step instructions. 148 pp. Was $19.95
SALE PRICE: $16.95
t n u o c s i 15% D ping! p i h S e e r F + S within U
P.O. Box 17817 ∙ Asheville, NC 28816 P 828.505.8474 | F 828.505.8476 | shoptalk@proleptic.net 44 | www.proleptic.net December 2013
and where your stitch lines will be if the strap is sewn on. The dividers on the right also show the distance between slot punches or stitch marks. If you are sewing the loops on then the stitch mark on the loop strap has to line up with the stitch mark on the piece of leather to which it’s being sewn. We’ll talk about these two measurements in just a couple minutes. The photo above shows slots punched in the wider strap and the loop strap r u n n i n g through the slots which creates a space between the cartridges. With this method it’s best to use the narrowest slot punch you have if one is available. A cased (damp) strap will conform to the cartridge shape better than a dry strap. [Editor’s Note: Before threading or sewing your strap, you may want to round, dye, and burnish the edges nicely since it gives your work a fi nished look and is impossible to do once the strap is in place. You’ll have to wait until the strap dries before applying any sort of top coat or finish.]
This photo shows the strap running in and out through the same slot which allows you to put the cartridges closer together. In this instance you might want to use a slightly wider slot punch so the slot will accommodate the two thicknesses of the strap—but never loose! Shop Talk!
It’s always better to be on the snug side because those loops will get stretched out over time. These two methods can be done with no stitching along the row of cartridge, but you will still have to secure the strap at the ends with stitches or at the least a concho, spot, or Chicago screw. Please note: it’s always a good idea to play around with these methods with a piece of scrap so you’ll get a clear idea of exactly the distance you need between slots.
Stitching Loops If you are going to stitch the loops, then you will need the measurements from Fig. Two above. The measurement from the right will be scribed on the bottom piece of leather (Fig. 5) and the left measurement will be used to scribe on the loop strap (Fig. 6). Don’t forget to scribe a straight line so your loops end up straight and don’t look like Foster Brooks did the stitching.
Here we are using the dividers set at the measurement we got from Figure 2 to mark the loop straip. These marks on the will line up with the marks on the bottom strap when you stitch the loops on. Fig. 7 shows my starting position for stitching loops on a belt. I have my stitch length set so that 5 stitches will Fig 7 perfectly span the width of the strap without extending beyond it. That’s something you should work out on a scrap piece before you start sewing up your work. I start with a backstitch for 4 stitches, then stitch forward for the 5 stitches to secure the first vertical run. At the end of the first run, I turn the work in the machine to stitch the diagonal Shop Talk!
up to the next vertical run. (Make sure your shuttle hook has caught the thread loop before turning the work or you may get a missed stitch. That might take a little practice.)
Fig 8
Fig. 8 shows me nearing the end of the diagonal run. With a 7/8” strap, a 5 stitch vertical run will give you 6 stitches on the diagonal.
Fig 9
Figure 9 shows that I have ended my first diagonal run and have turned the work to start my second vertical run. In Fig. 10, I have brought the strap back over the belt and am lining up my
Fig 10
SHELTON-REYNOLDS, INC. 11516 N Port Washington Rd., Mequon, WI 53092
First Quality & Closeouts
G Nylon Halter, Harness & Collar Webbing G Nylon Sling Web G Urethane & Vinyl Coated Webbing G Seatbelt Webbing Seconds G Derby Rope, Shock Cord G Vinyl Fabrics - Laminates & Coated G Sewing Thread - Nylon & Polyester - all sizes G 100% Acrylic Marine Fabrics G Truck Tie-down Web 1"- 2" - 3" - 4" G Clear Vinyl Tent & Boat Window G Rope - Nylon & Polyester G 1/8" Nylon Parachute Cord for Braiding G Canvas - All Styles & Weights, Natural, Flame Retardant, Water & Mildew Resistant
Call Toll Free ~ Nationwide
1-800-877-7150 Fax (262) 478-9226 SHIPMENT WITHIN 24 HOURS December 2013 |
45
Fig 12
Fig 11
reference marks. By raising the strap a bit I can see that my reference marks line up. In Fig. 11, I have confirmed that my reference lines match up and are ready to stitch another vertical run. To complete the job, all that is necessary is to repeat the vertical and diagonal runs until you complete the required amount of loops. Suggestion: It’s a good idea to make the strap you’re using to make loops a bit longer than you think you’re going to need it. It’s a lot easier to cut off than to add on!
We stock over 1,000 types & colors of leather!
New & Improved Full Color Catalog Upon Request
FeatURINg: Chap Leather (125 colors available),
Fig 13
When terminating the run of loops, you can trim the strap leaving just enough to hold the last run of stitches with a straight cut, round or “v” end punch, or a pinking iron. One other method used in our shop is to tuck the end of the looping through a slot then secure the looping with a few stitches or a decorative concho. (Fig. 12). It is important to note that the slot at the end be INSIDE the last reference line. If the slot is outside the last reference line your loops at the end will end up wider than the rest of the loops. Not good. If you are going to line the back of your belt after stitching on loops, it is important to know how close you can get the loops to the top edge. (The closer the loops are to the top of the belt the easier it will be for the end user to retrieve the cartridges.) Fig. 13 shows how a modified presser foot can be used to allow you to get loops near the top of your belt and stitch your liner on. Of course, this is something you must figure out before you lay out where your loops are going to be. If you will be doing a lot of loops for common calibers, a template will be necessary to save time. Each template should have all the necessary reference marks for the caliber specified.
embossed Cow Sides, garment & Hair-On Hides, genuine Buffalo, genuine Salz Latigo, Harness Leather, Metallic Cow Sides, Patent Leather, Skirting, Strap & Upholstery Leathers Complete line of decorative accessories & full line of leather crafting tools.
Become a Preferred Customer:
Benefits of becoming a preferred customer: Very best pricing for the leathers you use the most. Receive immediate notification of leathers going on sale. Added luxury of choosing only leathers that interest you, thus eliminating unwanted emails. Notification of new products and services as they become available ensures the personal service you deserve. Logon to www.hidehouse.com 595 Monroe St., Napa, CA 94559 888-HIDE-HOUSE Fax: 800-255-6160 hideinfo@hidehouse.com
l
46 |
December 2013
Shop Talk!
Sources There follows a very brief list of companies which carry supplies that might be of interest to holster makers both young and old. If you’re a supplier and we failed to list you or know of a supplier that should have been listed, please give us a shout and thanks! Contact: Shop Talk!, P O Box 17817, Asheville, NC 28816, (828) 505-8474, e-mail: shoptalk@proleptic. net. Thanks! Duncan’s Customs 501 Salzburg Ave. • Bay City, MI 48706 • (989) 894-6691 www.duncansoutdoor.com Duncan’s carries dummy pistols for holster makers in various models and makes.
Tandy Leather Factory 1900 SE Loop 820 • Ft. Worth, TX 76140 • (800) 433-3201 www.tandyleatherfactory.com Tandy is an excellent source for leathers as well as Kydex, hardware, patterns, and holster kits, in both traditional Western styles and more contemporary models. Tex Shoemaker & Sons 131 S. Eucla Ave. • San Dimas, CA 91773 • (909) 592-2071 www.texshoemaker.com Boxes of obsolete holster hdw. and supplies available. Call for complete list.
Maker’s Leather Supply 4850 Eagle Blvd. • Frederick, CO 80504 • (303) 641-0861 www.makersleathersupply.com Maker’s Leather Supply carries a wide variety of patterns for holsters, leather holster blanks, instructional DVD’s, and dummy pistols. Holster making classes and individual instruction available. Springfield Leather Co. 1463 S. Glenstone Ave. • Springfield, MO 65804 • (800) 668-8518 www.springfieldleather.com Springfield is a great source for almost any type of leather you might need— everything from horsehide to veg strap to prints and exotics. The great thing is that Springfield is happy to sell you only as much leather as you want to buy. They also carry Kydex which they will sell in small quantities as well.
Shop Talk!
December 2013 |
47
"All About Holsters" continued from page 25
Buena Vista Blankets All types of Horse Blankets Waterproof Blankets Cooling Blankets Snuggie Brand Blankets Custom Made Harness Pads S-L-O-W Feed Hay Bags give us a call: (717) 442-0164
Thanks, Buzz, for sending these samples of your work! Contact: Buzz Baird in Clayton, NM. E-mal: dena.baird@yahoo.com
5857 Buena Vista Rd. • Gap, PA 17527
Custommade Knives & Tools for Leatherworkers
■ New Handles DANNY Repair ■◉Sharpen Round Knives ◉ Stitch Groovers MARLIN ◉ Custommade Tools KNIVES ◉ Bench Knives
(254) 842- 5405
◉ Stock Tools ◉ Old Blades Reshaped
1550 County Road 207 ■ Blanket, TX 76432
48 |
December 2013
Shop Talk!
Wow—here are some impressive rigs from Jim Lockwood! Contact: Jim Lockwood, 8100 N. Red Oak Rd., Prescott, AZ 86305, e-mail: glockwood@ commspeed.net.
Bogle Greenwell Machinery Corp. 3100 E. Main, Grand Prairie, TX 75050 (972) 262-8652 or (972) 262-3101 Fax (972) 262-3251 Leather Machinery, Dies & Supplies
Since 1953
Representatives & Distributors for: 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
BUGGY BUILDER’S BULLETIN
Bi-monthly trade publication for Carriage & Wagon Makers $25/year in U.S. ~ $30 (US funds only) in Canada
BUGGY BUILDER’S BULLETIN 795 Mason St.., Dayton, VA 22821
(540) 879-9260
Shop Talk!
December 2013 |
49
Dave Owenby at Deep Gap Leather writes: “This holster was made for Cowboy Action Shooting with a 300 offset for cross drawing from a horse. The gun itself was a custom
made Colt ‘Buntline’ with a 7” barrel. The gun in the picture is a reproduction of a Colt .45 with a 5” barrel. “The Tombstone sheriff badge was supplied by the customer. The leather was wet molded to the gun with a top grain inside and a top grain outside. It was hand stitched and oil dyed.”
MANUFACTURING W Farm & Buggy Collars
W Adjustable Top Collars W All Purpose Collars
Thanks, Dave! Contact: Deep Gap Leather, 1624 Snapp Rd., Sevierville, TN 37862, (865) 438-3934.
W Show Collars W Heavy Logging Collars W No-Choke Pulling Collars W Collar Clock & Mirror Large Inventory in Stock for prompt shipment!
Design ©The Draft Horse Journal
50 |
We also stock No Wrinkle Vinyl Healing Pads Harness Parts CALL OR WRITE FOR A FREE WHOLESALE CATALOG.
Answering service 515-830-2596 17607 200th St. | Bloomfield, Iowa 52537
December 2013
Shop Talk!
Kurt Gerhold lives in that leather mecca of Sheridan, WY, where he mingles with the likes of Chan Geer and Clinton Fay whom have always been willing to lend a
hand to Kurt over the years—no wonder he does such handsome work!
IGHT MATCH R E for TH the BEST results
Contact: Kurt Gerhold, 484 Bluebird Ln., Sheridan, WY 82801, (307) 751-3222, e-mail: gerholdleather@gmail.com.
Knowing that quality is no accident we have worked with our suppliers to offer you color matched, American made nylon webbing and thread for your sewing needs.
“I am a current subscriber and ‘one man shop’ business owner called JTL Leather Works, in Hesperus, CO,” writes James Travis Luz. “I worked and trained under John Bianchi at Frontier Gunleather for over 10 years and, under his tutelage, was designated a Master Leather Maker. My work has been featured in the former ‘Shoot Magazine’ for a rig I made for Doby Carey, Jr., ‘Cowboys and Indians Magazine,’ and most recently in ‘Guns of the Old West,’ Fall 2013, p. 16.”
✶ ✶ ✶ ✶ ✶ ✶ ✶
Nylon Bonded Thread 92 to 346 Medium & Heavy Weight Nylon Webbing Hot Knife Cutting Service In-Stock Colors Available Now Precut Halter Kits - call for details Contract Manufacturing Leather & Synthetic Products
9415 W 300 S • Topeka, IN 46571• 260•593•0044
Contact: James Travis Luz, (970) 769-5103, e-mail: 3trees@ durango.net, www.jtlleatherworks.com.
Shop Talk!
December 2013 |
51
HOLIDAY BOOK SALE
For a limited time only 15% Discount + Free Shipping!
NEW from Proleptic, Inc.
THE
PRO-SADDLER
Sale Ends December 31st
Floral Pattern Drawing for the Artistically Impared
Now In Sto ck
A systematic approach to developing patterns for western floral carving. How to: layout your design, draw flowers and leaves, develop your own floral patterns, numerous design ideas and more. Plus: 8 pages of flowers and leaves to be used. By Pete Gorrell - Academy of Western Artists Saddle Maker of the Year
LS TOO L L A ping s h i phin us
2000 & Al Stohlman Award Recipient 2007. Was $18.95
E E R F
SALE PRICE: $16.10
wirtough 12/31/13 th
The Basics of Saddle Fit New title by Pete Gorrell. A guide to understanding the relationship between the saddle tree and the horse’s back. For saddle makers and anyone who rides. Very practical. Was $21.95
SALE PRICE: $18.65
Fine Art of the West This is one of those hefty coffee table books that is not simply loaded with gorgeous pictures of all things Western such as saddles, silver, boots, holsters, pistols, hats, and spurs. Rather, each picture has been chosen with a lot of thought and often depicts an unique historical development or an example of unusual workmanship. The many photographs are accompanied by thoughtful commentary and solid historical research that make the craftsmen and the products they created very present to the reader whether he or she is a rank amateur, veteran leather worker, or just an interested reader. Many historically important saddle makers, bit makers, boot makers, etc. are covered in some detail. 270 illustrations. 10 3/8” x 12 ¼”. Was: $75.00
SALE PRICE: $63.75 Proleptic, Inc. | P.O. Box 17817 ∙ Asheville, NC 28816 P 828.505.8474 | F 828.505.8476 www.proleptic.net | shoptalk@proleptic.net
52 |
December 2013
A great hammer at a great price! Tired of bulky hammers that obscure your work and mash your fingers? NO MORE! The Pro-Saddler is slim, elegant, and perfect for professional leatherworkers. - Custom Shops - Saddle Makers - Harness Makers ■ Long 7½” head allows you to work in narrow spaces and makes tacking up easier. ■ Weighs apx. 8oz. ■ 11½” hickory handle. ■ Made in the United States
Wholesale pricing available. (Handles may be bought separately $8 50 ea.)
Proleptic, Inc. • PO Box 17817 • Asheville NC 28816 Ph (828) 505-8474 • Fax (828) 505-8476 Email: shoptalk@proleptic.net
www.proleptic.net
Shop Talk!
Por table • Affordable • Safe
New Pro-Thread Burner Battery Operated SH $18 90 +$2.85
• • • •
4 AA Batteries Required* Ready to use in 10 seconds Safety slide switch & button Trims close & quick * Batteries not included
Wholesale pricing available.
ALL TO OLS
FREE
shipp
withi i n g through n us 12/3 1/13
Proleptic, Inc. • PO Box 17817 • Asheville NC 28816 Ph (828) 505-8474 • Fax (828) 505-8476 Email: shoptalk@proleptic.net
www.proleptic.net
Shop Talk!
December 2013 |
53
Mike Richard reports that he’s made about 50 holsters this year so far and expects to make quite a few more. He has a little shop in his garage and has a booth at a local famers’ market. Contact: Mike Richard, The Little Leather Shop, Naples, FL 34104, (239) 293-8042, e-mail: littleleathershop@yahoo.com.
Chris Andre, owner of Maker’s Leather Supply, is a professional leather artist living in Frederick, CO. Chris works mostly with Cowboy Action gun leather while dabbling in saddles, Cowboy trappings, and motorcycle gear. Chris is also an active member of SASS and Cowboy Fast Draw and a lifetime competitive shooter. As a bit of an up-and-comer, he has won several
awards including the Gunleather Class at the World Leather Debut for the last three years. Chris has written a variety of instruction and pattern packs for gun leather as well as offering classes in holster making and carving. Contact: Chris Andre, Maker’s Leather Supply, 4850 Eagle Blvd., Frederick, CO 80504, (303) 641-0861, www.makersleathersupply.com.
A. Lyons & Co., Inc. The Best Quality Components since 1933 • Leather Components • Leather Insoles • Leather Heels • Leather Midsoles • Leather Counters • Leather Bends A. Lyons & Co., Inc.
40 Beach Street • Manchester, MA 01944 Phone 978-526-4244 • Fax 978-526-1445 email: info@alyons.com
54 |
December 2013
Shop Talk!
Outside of holster being beefed up.
Snaps and strap holes before covered up.
Design being engraved on leather.
Painting background. After finishing was complete, I wrapped outer holster around lining.
Here’s a story for you: “My name is John Jarvis and I started working with leather in the 7th grade. I joined the Central Indiana Leather Crafters Guild in 2004. We meet in Beech Grove, IN. I met Edd Lucas a master in our craft. I asked him if he would teach me his process of making holsters. He said yes. I was really pleased. We spent many hours talking, making patterns, and practicing with tools. “My holster was entered in the Indiana State Fair in August 2013. The holster took First Place along with Reserve Grand Champion. I entered my holster at Denver, CO, IFOLG, September 2013, where it took First, Best of Category and Best of Division. “My thanks to Edd Lucas for all his time teaching me.” Contact: John Jarvis 622 Memorial Dr., Beech Grove, IN 46107-2231.
Shop Talk!
December 2013 |
55
56 |
December 2013
Shop Talk!
HolsterWorx is owned by Ronald Burk from Duncansville, PA, and is run by Mark Shaw and Scott Ebersole, both of Duncansville as well. Thanks to Scott for sending these pictures. HolsterWorx was started as a secondary business to Quality Corrections which does repair of footwear and apparel for major companies across the US and abroad. Quality Corrections was started over 25 years ago, and this is where the leather working end of it came to be. The owner wanted to expand into another
Shop Talk!
business as well as keeping his primary business running. Being a hunter and gun lover, Mark proposed HolsterWorx to Ron and the business was started very quickly. Mark also made holsters as a hobby from time to time so he knew what he was getting into. Mark approached Scott at that time
December 2013 |
57
$37.50
A book every leatherworker should own
SAVE 15% FREE S + H Reg. $44 SALE ENDS 12/31/13
Western Saddles Hunting Equipment Halters • Bridles Hobbles • Chaps Breast Collars Pack Equipment and More
Cowboys Complete Saddle Making by John Hopper 100’s of Pictures, Patterns & Measurements Step-by-Setp Instructions • 360 pp. Spiral bound.
“
”
The best saddle making book written to date.
PO Box 17817 Asheville, NC 28816
58 |
December 2013
Proleptic, Inc. www.proleptic.net
828-505-8474 shoptalk@proleptic.net
Shop Talk!
Pro Concho Turner & Pro II
The Art and Craft of Leather 160 pp. Color. Hardcover
Remove & Install decorative conchos quickly.
On Sale! Save 15%
$24.65
(free s+h in US) sale ends 12/31/2013
Regularly
$2900 + SH
Much more than just another “how-to” book! ALL TO OLS
F REE s
For electric drills only Pro Concho Turner | $29 +SH
hipp
withini n g through 12 us /31/13
Pro II | $26 +SH
for conchos 1” for conchos 1 1/8” and up and smaller Proleptic, Inc. • PO Box 17817 • Asheville NC 28816 (828) 505-8474 • email: shoptalk@proleptic.net www.proleptic.net • WHOLESALE PRICING AVAILABLE •
PRO-THREAD BURNER FREE
ALL TOOLS shipping
Only $15 + $2.85 SH
• Eight Projects •Chapters on Tanning, Tools, Equipment, History of Leather Art & more • Spanish authors offer unique slant on leather working techniques, molding & finishing.
PO Box 17817 • Asheville NC 28816 • (828) 505-8474 • fax (828) 505-8476 shoptalk@proleptic.net • www.proleptic.net
Holiday Book Sale: Save 15%
$58.65 (free s+H in US) Reg. $69 Sale ends 12/31/2013
Artistic Leather of the Arts and Crafts Era
e Includes 540 color
within us
photos of leather objects made from 1900-1929 e Historical information on individual artists and manufacturers
through 12/31/13
6ʹ long with solid brass tip, wooden handle, and 6´ cord. TRIM CLOSE & QUICK!
272 pp. Hardback. $69 plus $4.20 S&H in US
Proleptic, Inc. P.O. Box 17817 Asheville, NC 28816 ph: (828) 505-8474 fax: (828) 505-8476 shoptalk@proleptic.net www.proleptic.net
Shop Talk!
PO Box 17817, Asheville, NC 28816 828-505-8474 • shoptalk@proleptic.net www.proleptic.net
December 2013 |
59
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
H
ANSEN
WESTERN GEAR
Conchos Saddle Trim Hand Engraved Silver Products “For those who want the very best”
HansenSilver.com
209-847-7390 Marie, Tim & Kelleigh Hansen
800-970-7391 Oakdale, CA 95361
and offered the Production Manager position to him. He jumped on that as he also is an avid hunter and gun lover. And here they are today. All of their holsters are custom made at the time the customer places his order. Contact: HolsterWorx, 611 Gildea Dr., Duncansville, PA 16635, (814) 696-3927. “I’m a retired U. S. Customs Special Agent and former Instructor at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Georgia,” writes Mike Craw. “I started making holsters in 1981 when I couldn’t find one I liked for my duty weapon. I only make concealment holsters for fellow law enforcement active duty and retired officers or folks who have CCW permits. I don’t advertise. They just tell each other.”
Left: Holster for a 3” Smith & Wesson J-frame revolver with a Crimson trace laser sight.
Contact: Mike Craw, e-mail: crawm2004@gmail.com.
60 |
December 2013
Shop Talk!
And we end our feature with a stunning selection of holsters by noted leather worker and writer, Dusty Johnson of Saddleman Press and Pleasant Valley Saddle Shop. Dusty is now located in Prescott, AZ, and “trying to be retired.” While he is no longer building his fancy saddles, he still enjoys making fancy holster rigs. He makes only the buscadero style covered with silver or nickel spots and studs. Dusty says, “If it isn’t covered with silver, I didn’t make it!”
468 CANAL ST., STE. 201, LAWRENCE, MA 01840
www.texshoemaker.com
Dusty has been making this style of holster for 18 years and calls them “Hollywood Holsters”. He does comment that he will not duplicate any movie actor’s rig since he feels it would be misleading, but he still makes holsters and gunbelts which are very similar. To date Dusty has made 800 of these rigs. And that’s saying something. Contact: Dusty Johnson, 2870 W. Granite Park Dr., Prescott, AZ 86305, (303) 669-1223, e-mail: DustyJohn@aol.com.
RJF Leather
Veg. Leathers for Saddles, Belts, Holsters & Case Goods
• Specializing in premium natural double shoulders • Bends • Sides • Backs • Bellies • Gum Flesh available • Drum dyed leathers, harness, latigo, and english bridle • Each piece is hand selected for your needs • No Minimum Quantities Roger J. Folmar • European double bends 15 Woodsview Dr. ◆ Elmira, NY 14903 for belts and belt lining Ph: 607-742-8969. ◆ Fax: 607-562-5323 Email: FJLEA@aol.com ◆ www.rjfleather.com
www.texshoemaker.net
131 S. Eucla Avenue • San Dimas, CA 91773 Ph: (909) 592-2071 • Fx: (909) 592-2378 Follow us on Facebook: Tex Shoemaker & Sons Leather Police Equipment Shop Talk!
December 2013 |
61
CLASSIFIDES 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.
WANTED Wanted: New subscribers from Montana, Wyoming, Nebraska, and Minnesota. Now is the time to renew! Give us a call at (828) 5058474, e-mail: shoptalk@proleptic.net or visit www.proleptic.net. Wanted: Draw gauges. Any condition. Parts and pieces. Contact: Shop Talk!, P O Box 17817, Asheville, NC 28816, (828) 5058474, 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. Hamley & Co., America’s oldest saddle maker in Pendelton, OR, is looking for experienced saddle makers and leather craftsman. Please call store manager Ross Phinney at (541) 278-1100 or e-mail: rossp@hamley.com.
FOR SALE 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. Wholesale source for competitively priced nylon and poly webbing. Nylon bonded thread and leather or synthetic manufactured products. Serving the equine, pet, dress, and related industries. Custom contract production runs welcome. Call for details and pricing. (260) 593-0044. Contact: Mud Creek Leather, 9415 W 300 S, Topeka, IN 46571. For Sale: Nick-O Sew 441 cylinder arm sewing machine in new
62 |
December 2013
BUY or SELL or TRADE
condition. Owner going out of business. Sewing light and extras included. $1,900. OBO. Call (717) 656-6876, ext. 0. Liquidating Entire Inventory. Seven heavy duty sewing machines—Cobra, Artisan, Juki. Two embossing machines. 12” USMC splitter. 12” Aperture band knife. Two creasers. Singer 112 dbl. needle. 14” strap cutter. Three Standard spot machines. 5-hole nylon burner. Two chap machines. Five cargo trailers. Container load of saddles, bridles, halters, leads, etc. No reasonable offer refused. Contact: Ben Day, Western Specialties, 3106 Cedar Dale Rd., Mt. Vernon, WA 98274, phone (360) 708-4201, fax (360) 428-2037. 100 year old harness shop, machinery, bench and hand tools, materials, inventory. Contact: Gary Ruhl, 953 W. 7th St., St. Paul, MN 55102, (612) 222-5616, 3:30-6 pm M-F, 8:30 am-2:30 pm Sat. E-mail: ruhls1@comcast.net. For Sale: Union Lockstitch (serial #6083), reconditioned 2012 with new table. Also, Adler 104, needs minor repairs. $1,750 for both. No delivery. You pick up. Creekbend Leatherworks, Central Texas. Joe Mingus (713) 824-1775. 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. For Sale: Successful belt buckle business. Over 500 buckles with many extra included free. Asking $2,500. Call for more information. (570) 253-8018. 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: Nick-O Sew 441 cylinder arm sewing machine in new condition. Owner going out of business. Sewing light and extras included. $1,900 OBO. Call (717) 656-6870 ext. 0. Adler 205-400 in excellent condition. Adjustable stand, speed reducer, and accessories. Never used on repairs. Must sell ASAP. $3,800. Call (270) 213-0734. For Sale: Pricing Guide: “How to Establish Prices for the Saddle Shop Talk!
Tested by Time, Proven by Performance & Trusted by Customers BioThane coated webbing has been manufactured in the USA for more than 35 years. It’s the only proven coated webbing on the market that is durable, cleanable and waterproof. ®
Choose BioThane for Your Harness and Tack: ®
Ê UÊ Ê UÊ Ê UÊ
> Ìi > Vi vÀiiÊ >LÀ>à Àià ÃÌ> Ì Ü Ì ÃÌ> `ÃÊiÝÌÀi iÊÜi>Ì iÀ
COMING SOON! COMING THIS FALL!
BioThane Camo BioThane®® Camo
® Winter Camo & American Flag
} ÌÜi } Ì]ÊÜ>ÌiÀ«À vÊ> `Êi>ÃÞ Ì V i> ]Ê / > i® Camo gives your collar a unique look that’s built for wear and tear. Abrasion resistant, hygienic and odorless. Now available in green, pink and orange!
Jet black with a “dressed leather” Custom printing available! w à Ê> `Êvii °Ê iÝ L iÊ> `Ê`ÕÀ>L i°Ê Call us for details.® ® Ã Ê Ê À> Ìi > `Ê À > ` series.
Semi-Gloss Beta 580
AUGUST 13
Indiana Bio Briefing
9 `iÀ½ÃÊ-> iÃÊ> `Ê,i«> À > À> }i]Ê
AUGUST 20
Ohio Bio Briefing
> ÀÛ iÜÊ Õ ÌÀÞÊ-> ià iÀÃLÕÀ}]Ê"
Visit us at www.biothane.us
Contact your distributor or BioThane at 800-487-2358 for more information.
Shop Talk!
MADE IN THE USA December 2013 |
63
SKIRTING • HARNESS • LATIGO • HOLSTER • RAWHIDE • TOOLING
Hermann Oak Russet Skirting Leather, carve like butter and stamp to an incredible depth. The unique color, the way it oils so evenly, the clean flesh, firmness and its excellent yield give your work a uniqueness like no other. Our leather is crafted to last a lifetime. Your work of art will keep its body and beauty long after others sag and fade. Hermann Oak Leather specializes in vegetable-tanned leathers made in the USA with US steer hides.
Handcrafted by Bob Park, Phoenix, Arizona
What Legends Are Made Of • St. Louis since 1886 For wholesale service call, 1-800-325-7950, www.hermannoakleather.com, or, call the dealer nearest to you Bowden Leather Company El Paso, TX 915-877-1557
Montana Leather Company Billings, MT 406-245-1660
Sheridan Leather Outfitters Sheridan, WY 888-803-3030
Birdsall Leather Botany, NSW, Australia 011-612-9316-6299
Craft & Company Ltd. Suginami-ku, Tokyo, Japan 011-81-3-3393-2222
Goliger Leather Company Ventura, CA 800-423-2329
Oregon Leather Company Portland, OR 503-228-4105
Weaver Leather, Inc Mt Hope, OH 800-WEAVER-1
Logos de Cordes Firminy, France 33-04-7761-1916
Star Trading Co. Maniwa, Japan 011-81-8-6742-8004
Caledon Sales Ltd Calgary, AB, Canada 403-252-0232
Toowoomba Saddlery Toowoomba, Qsld, Australia 011-617-4633-1855
KyoshinShop Elle & Co., LTD Talk! Taito-Ku, Tokyo, Japan 011-81-3-3866-3221
Hide House, Inc. 64 &| Leather December Napa, CA 94559 707-255-6160
2013Panhandle Leather Company Amarillo, TX 806-373-0535
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, 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) Books by Pete Gorrell (719) 695-4443, e-mail: hpgorrell@ gmail.com. “Floral Pattern Drawing for the Artistically Impaired” $18.95. “The Basics of Saddle Fit” $21.95. “The Business of Saddle Making” $12.50. S&H $3.50. Shipping by USPS rates. Also available from Proleptic, Inc. at (828) 5058474, e-mail: shoptalk@proleptic.net ; Leather Wranglers at (505) 269-8563, e-mail: leatherwranglers.com; Sheridan Leather Outfitters at (888) 803-3030. (R&B) www.theleatherguy.org for all your leather, tool, and supply needs. Friendly, helpful staff at (507) 932-3795. (R&B) Wholesale Suppliers for Harness, parts, blinds, hdw., dull PVC, nylon webbing, and supplies. Also we are now the Western distributor for Weaver Leather’s quality Brahma Webb materials. Give it a try—we are sure you’ll like it! Contact: Countryside Manufacturing, 504 S. Humbert St., Milton, IA 52570, (641) 656-4339. For Sale: Western strap goods. Reins, head stalls, breast collars, tie downs, latigo tie straps, curb straps, saddlebags, spur straps, and more. Primarily using Hermann Oak and Thorough-
bred Leather. We custom manufacture. With or without spots and fancy buckles. Ask for a free catalog. Contact: Hilltop Tack Supply, 133 Welding Dr., Rebersburg, PA 16872, (814) 3494479, fax (814) 349-8024.
BOOT & SHOE For Sale Shoe Repair Equipment. Adler 205-370 used very little. 3 stitchers: Landis 12K, Champion 52, Champion 66 McKay. Landis 453 finisher, Landis 5-in-1, Champion 5-in-1, 2 AutoSoler Nailers, Nosecone 12 Boot, Continental 8, heel wheel. 3 patchers: Singer 29K70, 29K71, Adler 30-1 long arm. 3 shoe stretchers. Hand tools and accessories. Equipment is very clean and serviced. Contact: Kenneth Martin, 1645 Weaverland Rd., East Earl, PA 17519, (717) 445-9825. For Sale: Landis 12L S2000, Cinderella, nibbler, and Bostitch press—all in excellent condition. Retiring. Must sell, Make offer. Contact: Coggins Shoe Shop, Columbus, MS, (662) 327-1123.
The “Word of the Day” is lachrymose. The American Donkey & Mule Society Established 1967—Serving Longears and their owners for over 40 years.
World’s Largest Single Source of Information and Services for all sizes of Donkeys, Mules & Zebra Hybrids. Home of the BRAYER magazine, The Original All-Breed Longear Publication 112 pages bi-Monthly. $23 US, $30 Canada, $35 overseas Ck, MO, Paypal, MC/Visa ADMS, PO Box 1210, Lewisville TX 75067 (972) 219-0781 Email lovelongears@hotmail.com ** www.lovelongears.com
Shop Talk!
December 2013 |
65
A. Lyons ............................................. 54 American Leather Direct .................... 66 Artisan Sewing......................back cover Barta Hide.......................................... 54 Beiler’s Mfg. & Supply ....................... 30 BioThane Coated Webbing ............... 63 Black Mesa ........................................ 23 Bogle Greenwell Machinery Corp ...... 49 Booth & co. ........................................ 16 Bowden Saddle Tree ......................... 19 Brayer ................................................ 65 Brodhead Collar Shop ....................... 50 Buckeye Blanket ................................ 21 Buckeye Engraving............................ 48 Buckle Barn USA ............................... 21 Buena Vista Blankets ........................ 48 Buggy Builder’s Bulletin ..................... 49 Campbell-Randall .............................. 25 Center Square Harness ..................... 17 Champion Halters ............................. 22 Charles Hardtke................................. 13 Chupp Blacksmith Shop .................... 41 Chupp Brothers Wholesale................ 55 Coblentz Collar .................................. 12 Coblentz Supply ................................ 49 Danny Marlin Knives.......................... 48 Double K ............................................ 17 Duncan Outdoor Shop ....................... 16 Fine Tool Journal ............................... 13 Foam-Tex........................................... 22 Frontier Gunleather ........................... 17
66 |
December 2013
ADVERTISERS INDEX Gfeller Casemakers, Inc .................... 49 Goliger Leather Co., Inc. ................... 42 Hadlock & Fox Mfg. Co...................... 27 Hand Plait Leather ............................... 8 Hansen Western Gear ................. 19, 47 Harness Hdw. ...................................... 8 Hermann Oak Leather ....................... 64 Hide House, The................................ 46 Hillside Harness Hardware, Ltd. back cover International Sheepskin ..................... 48 Kalico Products.................................. 10 Kelly-Larson....................................... 29 Kimmel Boot ...................................... 32 Landis Sales & Service...................... 50 Leather Crafters & Saddlers .............. 39 Leather Makers Supply...................... 18 Leather Machine Co., Inc., The ......... 67 Lewis Sales Co .................................. 61 Mark Stanton ..................................... 11 Maverick Leather ............................... 10 Maine Thread .................................... 30 Meeks ................................................ 11 Miller's Wholesale Harness ............... 11 Mud Creek ......................................... 51 Mules and More, Inc. ......................... 51 My Buyer's Guide .............................. 57 N & A Harness Shop .......................... 17 National Leather ................................ 20 Nutra-Glo ........................................... 31
Ohio Plastics...................................... 30 Ohio Travel Bag ................................. 57 Pecard ............................................... 13 Perfectex Plus LLC ............................ 33 Plain Communities............................. 22 Precision Saddle Tree ....................... 56 Proleptic 8, 11, 13, 22, 28, 29, 36, 37, 43, .................................... 44,52, 53, 58, 59 Raphael Sewing Machine/TechSew 30, 60 RJF Leather ....................................... 61 Ron's Tools ........................................ 50 Shelton-Reynolds, Inc ....................... 55 Shetler’s Collar Shop ......................... 16 ShoTan .............................................. 33 Small Farmer’s Journal...................... 57 Smoke & Fire Co. .............................. 46 Springfield Leather ............................ 47 Steel Stamps ..................................... 42 Sugar Valley Collar Shop................... 57 Sun Bias, Inc. .................................... 41 Sweat Pad Shop .......................... 11, 56 Tandy Leather .................................... 39 TechSew/Raphael Sewing Machine 30, 60 Tex Shoemaker ......................................57 Texas Custom Die ............................. 40 Thoroughbred Leather ......................... 2 SX Industries/TIMCO................... 15, 65 Toledo Sewing ..................................... 3 WESA ................................................ 24 Western Mule .................................... 51 Yoder's Pad Shop .............................. 12
Shop Talk!
Shop Talk!
December 2013 |
67
Shop Talk! with Boot & Shoe News P.O. Box 17817 Asheville, NC 28816 (828) 505-8474 • FAX (828) 505-8476 www.proleptic.net
DECEMBER 2013
12 Monthly Issues $36 Canada & Mexico $39US Other Countries $54US SHATA Members deduct $4
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
Always first with the News!
Distributors of Quality Hardware & Supplies for the Harness, Tack, Saddlery, and Pet Industries
New Items
• Thoroughbred Leather • Camouflage Coated Webbing from BioThane Ask about our special on WAHL Stable Pro Clippers
4205 Township Rd. 629 Millersburg, OH 44654 Ask for your FREE catalog
Check your due date today!