T H E L E AT H E R R E TA I L E R S ’ & M A N U FACT U R E R S ’ J O U R N A L
MOE HE A DRICK Stuntman Saddle Maker PAGE 23
Meet Shop Talk! ’s New Owners, The Burns Family
3
Sunset Trails Silver’s Rich History
29
MAY 2 0 1 7
S I NC E 1984
W W W . P RO L E P T I C. NE T
$6.50
Better Research,
Better Products
THE ORIGINAL SINCE 1977
Coated Webbing for Harness, Tack, Pets and Livestock
Contact us to learn more 800-487-2358 or visit us online at biothane.us
THE LEATHER RETAILERS’ & MANUFACTURERS’ JOURNAL
MAY 2017
FEATURES 3 Meet Shop Talk!’s New Owners 23 Moe Headrick: Stuntman Saddle Maker 29 Sunset Trails Silver 35 Flat Brim Saddle 37 Tory Leather
37
35
23
Moe Headrick: Stuntman Saddle Maker
IN EVERY ISSUE 5 Laugh Lines 10 Hide Report 15 Goods & Services 19 Boot and Shoe News 48 News, Notes & Queries 55 Classifieds 2 MAY 2017
SHOP TALK!
Flat Brim Leather Shop Talk! • P.O. Box 6 • Salina, UT 84654 Ph (435) 529-7484 • Fax (435) 529-1033 • candace@burns1876.com Read Shop Talk! online with links to advertisers and online information. www.proleptic.net ShopTalkLeatherMagazine
Proleptic, Inc. is the creator of an original work of authorship entitled "Shop Talk!". Proleptic, Inc. attempts to maintain the highest accuracy of content; however, neither Proleptic, Inc., nor any of its officers, employees or agents, warrants, makes any warranties, guarantees or representations as to the accuracy or timeliness of any information published or referenced in "Shop Talk!". Under any and all circumstances, Proleptic, Inc., including its officers, employees and agents, shall be held harmless from and against any loss caused by reliance on the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of such information.
Shop Talk! is published monthly (ISSN 1547-0121). Subscription rates are $36 annually, $39 (US) for Canada and Mexico, and $54 (US) for all other countries.
Old Traditions, New Faces: Meet Shop Talk!’s New Owners
By Nick Pernokas, Senior Feature Writer
W
hen The Harness Shop News began publishing in 1984, the former owner couldn’t have guessed what it would turn into 33 years later. Today, Shop Talk! is read worldwide and has become a vital link between leather professionals of many varied backgrounds. Whether as a source guide for that hard-to-find tool or the latest industry news, Shop Talk! has become the “go-to” place for the leather crafter who, in many cases, labors away in relative isolation from his or her peers. Fortunately for the leather industry, some very capable individuals are taking over the reins at Shop Talk! now that the owner has stepped away from the publication. Danna BurnsShaw, her husband Scott Shaw, and their son, Braydan Shaw, are the new owners of Shop
Talk! They are no strangers to the leather industry—no sir! They are, respectively, the fifth and sixth generation of the Burns family to helm the historic Burns Saddlery in Salina, Utah. Burns Saddlery was started in 1876 by cowboy and blacksmith Miles Burns. Today the company has expanded to include a custom saddle and leather shop, a custom hat shop, and, with the acquisition of Sunset Trails Silver, a custom silver shop. In addition, they have evolved from just selling “cowboy gear” to marketing their exotic leather handbags, boots, and accessories through their crossover stores in Park City, Utah, and Carmel, California.
A Passion for the Work “My passion is in the workings of a shop,” says Braydan. “Putting together different shops and getting them working is what motivates me.” Thirty-eight year old Braydan has a degree in SHOP TALK! MAY 2017 3
business administration and admits that the nuts and bolts of running the business are his area of expertise, although he did spend some time in the family saddle shop growing up. “We’ve really been able to grow in new areas, and this magazine is just another way to do that. Part of our leather heritage is dying away, and that’s one thing that’s really appealing about the magazine to us; it keeps some of that alive.” Braydan also says that the Shop Talk! Buyer’s Guide helped his mother tremendously when she inherited the family business at a young age. Burns Saddlery was off the path for most leather salesmen, and the guide helped a company in transition find the materials they needed.
Making an Impact “We want to help the leather customer who’s just starting out or the established craftsman who wants to grow his business. That’s good for the industry,” says Braydan. “We want to make an impact in this industry, and this is just one part in our plans to come up with a system to aid the small shops in some of the areas that they struggle with. We plan to build on what the former owner created and for it to continue to have an impact on the leather industry.” Burns Saddlery has always embraced change and has constantly evolved from the original harness shop that the company started with. They employ a lot of young talent and they 4 MAY 2017
SHOP TALK!
“We want to help the leather customer who’s just starting out or the established craftsman who wants to grow his business. That’s good for the industry.” —Braydan Shaw encourage them to try new things. At the same time, traditional businesses like Sunset Trails resonate with them, and they don’t want these legacies to disappear. Shop Talk! will continue to be a way for the craftsmen who don’t have a digital presence to still spread out their footprint in the larger world of the leather industry. Braydan’s wife, Misty, handles communications now for Burn’s Saddlery, and she will play a large part in the magazine for the foreseeable future. Danna Burns-Shaw has a writing background and will be contributing as well. “My grandfather said you’re either green and growing, or ripe and rotting,” laughs Danna. “We intend to keep this acquisition green and growing by connecting folks and sharing knowledge.” We invite you, our readers, to come along for the ride.
LAUGH LINES
STATE-BY-STATE Editor’s Note: This month we’re going to state to state, looking for the best humor our country can offer. A lot of this has to do with dumb state laws which are both pretty dumb and pretty funny. We also discovered a joke that seems to be common to almost every state in the Union. It always has something to do with one of the state universities and goes like this: Q: How do you get a [name of university] graduate off your front porch? A: Pay him for the pizza!
DUMB CALIFORNIA LAWS • No vehicle without a driver may exceed 60 miles an hour. • Women may not drive in a house coat. • Nobody is allowed to ride a bicycle in a swimming pool. (Baldwin Park) • City Council (Belvedere) order reads: “No dog shall be in public without its master on a leash.”
Enjoy! SHOP TALK! MAY 2017 5
Police in Los Angeles had good luck with a robbery suspect who just couldn’t control himself during a line-up. When detectives asked each man in the line-up to repeat the sentence, “Give me all your money or I’ll shoot,” the man shouted, “That’s not what I said!”
DUMB TEXAS LAWS • It is illegal to take more than three sips of beer while standing.
6 MAY 2017
SHOP TALK!
• You can be legally married by publically introducing a person as your husband or wife three times. • It is illegal to milk another person’s cow. • Beer may not be purchased after midnight on Sunday, but it may be purchased on Monday. (Houston)
Three cowboys were sitting around a campfire out on the prairie and a night of tall tales began.. The first one said, “I must be the meanest, toughest cowboy there ever was. Why, just the other day a bull got loose in the corral and gored six men before I wrestled it to the ground by the horns with my bare hands.” The second cowhand couldn’t stand to be bested. “Why that’s nothing,” he said. “I was walking down the trail yesterday and a 15’ rattlesnake slid out from under a rock and made a move on me. I gabbed that snake with my bare hands, bit its head off and sucked the poison down in one gulp. And I’m still here today.” The third cowpoke remained silent while he quietly stirred the wood coals with his bare hands.
AL AB AM A An Alabama state trooper pulled over a pickup truck on I-20 and said to the driver, “Got any ID?” And the driver replied, “ ‘Bout what?”
Billy Bob and his family moved from Alabama to Maine so his Paw could find better work picking potatoes. The next day Billy Bob started kindergarten and when he got home he rushed to tell his Paw, “Paw, Paw—teacher ast us to ree-cite the alpherbet today en Ah wuz the onliest one that could!” “That’s cuz you’s from Bama, son,” his Dad beamed. The next day the boy came home and told his Paw, “Paw, Paw teacher ast us to count as high as we could en Ah counted the highest!” “That’s cuz you’d from Bama, son!” his Dad said. The next day, the boy came home and told his Paw, “Paw, Paw—today we wuz all in a line, Ah noticed Ah wuz the biggest of all! Ah bet that’s cuz Ah’m from Bama, huh, Paw? “No, son,” his Paw said. “That’s cuz yer 17 years old.”
DUMB OKLAHOMA LAWS • Violators can be fined, arrested or jailed for making ugly faces at a dog. • Whaling is illegal. • Fish may not be contained in fishbowls while on a public bus. • Mules may not drink out of bird baths. (Wynona) SHOP TALK! MAY 2017 7
images flaticon.com
DUMB NEW MEXICO LAWS
DUMB UTAH LAWS
• You may not carry a lunchbox down Main Street. (Las Cruces) • State officials ordered 400 words of “sexually explicit material” to be cut from Romeo and Juliet.
DUMB WYOMING LAWS • It is illegal to wear a hat that obstructs people’s view in a public theater or place of amusement. • It is illegal for women to stand within five feet of a bar while drinking.
8 MAY 2017
SHOP TALK!
• When a person reaches the age of 50, he/she can then marry their cousin. • It’s illegal for restaurants to serve wine with meals, but only if you ask for the wine list. • Women may not swear. (Logan) • Daylight must be visible between partners on a dance floor. (Monroe) • Pharmacists may not sell gunpowder to cure headaches. (Trout Creek)
Q: What do you call an intelligent person in Cougar Stadium? A: A visitor.
KENTUCKY
Q: What’s the difference between a BYU coed and an elephant?
Five million people. Fifteen last names.
A: About 10 lbs. The son of a very rich Arab sheik was graduating from college. The sheik went to his son’s roommate and told him, “I really appreciate all the help you have given my son while you two were in school. Just name a gift, and I will buy it for you.”
It is illegal to fish in the Ohio River in Kentucky without an Indiana fishing license.
The roommate thought about it and told the sheik, “Ever since I was a little kid, I’ve always wanted a real Mickey Mouse outfit.” So the sheik bought him the University of Utah.
DUMB ARKANSAS LAWS It is unlawful to walk one’s cow down Main St. after 1:00 PM on Sunday.
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
DUMB MONTANA LAWS • It is a felony for a wife to open her husband’s mail. • It is a misdemeanor to show movies that depict acts of felonious crimes.
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 SHOP TALK! MAY 2017 9
YOU R GLO BAL PERSP ECT IVE
The Hide Report
The following is used with permission from hidenet.com, the premier source for information regarding the worldwide hide and leather markets. Please remember that while this information will be a month old by the time it reaches you Enjoy.
HIDE PRICES TUMBLE SLIGHTLY [Editor’s Note: In some reports there maybe discrepancies between remarks made regarding price increases or declines in this section and the
prices reported in the price chart. That is due, in part, to the change in prices being relative and reported week by week—for example, at the end of the month, the prices might be higher than the week before but lower than they were a month earlier and vice-a-versa.] During the last week of March and first week of April, prices for Heavy Texas Steers were down $3-4 from the week before. Branded Steers were off $2. Butt Branded Steers were steady to $1 lower, and Heavy Native Steers were down a dollar.
CUSTOM MADE
CHINO TACK
We make custom show stall curtains with decorations Also tack box covers, table covers, etc.
Saddle Trees: Stirrups: wooden or iron, rawhide covered
PRODUCTS
• 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 Fax: 330-674-1171 10 MAY 2017
SHOP TALK!
Rawhide: natural, bleach, black, red, etc. Casa Zea Blankets: assorted and solid colors Saddles: our best!! for kids!
1-800-696-4649
www.chinotack.com • chinotack@gmail.com
The Hide Report RICK BUECHLER TO JOIN PHIL HIDE Philadelphia Hide Brokerage Corporation is pleased to announce that Rick Buechler will join the firm as of April 10 in the capacity of Vice President Trading. Rick can be reached at (586) 2237034 and by email at RB_PH1@hotmail.com.
STAHL ACQUIRES BASF LEATHER CHEMICALS BUSINESS Wendel SE recently announced that Stahl has signed an agreement to acquire the leather chemicals assets of BASF SE, one of the world’s largest chemical companies. The transition will include the leather chemicals production site of L’Hospitalet in Spain in addition to midterm and long-term supply agreements under which BASF will supply significant volumes of leather chemicals to Stahl from its current manufacturing facilities that will not be carved out. This acquisition of BASF’s leather chemicals business, which posted sales of around €200 million in 2016, will enable Stahl to benefit from the high quality and reputation of BASF’s product offering.
CLAYTON LEATHER GROUP, ENGLAND In March The Clayton Leather Group signed a new distribution agreement with Namo Namas Exim Pvt. Ltd., a sister company of Maha Lakshmi Enterprises which have been distributing J &
E Sedgwick’s leather for twenty-five years. This agreement now opens up the market in India for all companies within The Clayton Group. Namo Namas Exim Pvt. Ltd. is a leather distributor and manufacturer based in Kanpur, India. It produces accessories for the sports and fashion industry and specializes in a equestrian leather. Under their product brand name, James Aston, their range includes briefcases, wallets, belts, and leather bags.
PITTARDS LOOKS TO NEW MARKETS FOR IMPROVED BUSINESS Pittard’s, the UK-based maker of technically advanced leather and luxury leather goods, had a tough 2016 that saw a new management team drafted in with strategy changes that resulted in a pretax loss of £4.1 million. The firm is not taking things lying down and is looking at new markets with hopes for expansion in interiors and general footwear. The company, which makes products for sale to retailers, manufacturers, and distributors, said that through December 31, 2016, revenue was down from £30.5 million from £27 million with a pretax profit of £.2 million. The total loss for the year before taxes was £4.1 million, down from a pretax profit of £.7 million a year ago, skewed by an exceptional stock right down of £4.3 million.
SHOP TALK! MAY 2017 11
The Hide Report MERRELL LAUNCHES WORK, TACTICAL FOOTWEAR
LUCKY BRAND DELIVERS MEN’S SHOES THIS FALL
Merrell said its first line of work and tactical footwear was made available exclusively on merrill. com beginning March 15, 2017, as well as at key retailers in the US. According to John Burch, senior vice president of global footwear, “Merrell is committed to providing customers with the quality, comfort, and durability for which the Merrill brand is known and merging that trail readyapproach to the outdoors with the safety that today’s American worker needs.”
Will Lucky Brand be lucky in men’s shoes? The denim brand inked a licensing deal with Genesco to produce its first ever men’s footwear collection ready for retail this fall. The debut line includes leather Chelsea boots, hikers, wingtips, and suede chukka boots detailed with logo hardware. Shoes are designed to pair with Lucky Brand’s denim collection and its recently launched men’s suit collection, Lucky Brand Black Label.
PROFITS DOWN FOR CHINA’S TOP FOOTWEAR RETAILER China’s top footwear retailer Belle International Holdings Ltd. expects its profit for the year ending in February to drop by 15-25% from a year ago due to weak sales. In October, Belle said its footwear business was full of challenges as changes in foot traffic across various retail channels and shifting style preferences of consumers put pressure on the footwear business.
VIETNAM TO GROW FOOTWEAR EVEN WITHOUT TPP Vietnam’s leather and footwear industry will maintain its strong growth even if the TPP does not materialize, said the Vietnam Leather, Footwear and Handbag Association. Speaking at the two-day 2017 Vietnam Footwear Summit which opened in Ho Chi Minh City on March 15, Diep Thanh Kiet, the Association’s deputy chairman, said the industry enjoyed annual growth of 15-20% in 2011-15. Leather and footwear products were exported to nearly fifty countries and territories with the US, EU, China, and Japan being the biggest markets. The industry is fairly competitive thanks to the country’s economic, political, and social stability and abundant supply of cheap and highly skilled labor, he said.
12 MAY 2017
SHOP TALK!
Lucky Brand joins Genesco’s roster of brands which includes Johnston & Murphy, G. H. Bass & Co. among others.
CONSUMPTION IN INDIA TO HIT $4 TRILLION BY 2025 Consumption in India is likely to triple to $4 trillion by 2025 as rising affluence drives changes in consumer behaviors and spending patterns, according to a recent report. Nominal year-overyear expenditure growth of 12% is more than double the anticipated global rate of 5% and will make India the third largest consumer market by 2025.
LUXURY GOODS GROUP HERMES DELIVERS RECORD 2016 PROFIT MARGIN The French luxury goods group Hermes said that it started 2017 on a solid footing after delivering record 2016 profits, providing further evidence of a broader recovery in the luxury goods industry. Hermes known for its $10,000 Birkin bags and $400 printed silk scarves, said net profits rose 13% to a record of €1.1 billion. The company’s sales growth had mainly stemmed from a strong performance in its leather goods segment which makes up 50% of the group sales while other divisions also performed well although its watches unit lagged.
The Hide Report
MAY 2017 MARKET IN REVIEW Selection
Weight (lbs.)
February
March
April
weights vary month to month
(early)
(early)
(early)
Price Last April
Heavy Texas Steers
62-66
$71-72
$72-73.25
$72-73
$66
Heavy Texas Steers (Hvy)
70-74
$73-73.50
$74.50-75
$76-77
$69-71
Branded Steers
62-66
$65-66
$67-70
$67-69
$63-64
Branded Steers (Hvy)
70-74
$71-73
$72-75
$72-75
$68-70
Colorado Steers
62-66
$65-65.50
$66-67
$67-68
$61-62
Butt Branded Steers
62-66
$72-74.50
$74.50-75
$75-76
$73-74
Butt Branded Steers (Hvy)
70-74
$76-77
$77-81
$78-83
$77-79
Heavy Native Steers (Hvy)
70-74
$77-78.50
$79-80
$79-80
$80-82
Heavy Native Heifers
50-54
$58-59
$57-58
$60-61
$59-60
Branded Heifers
50-54
$52-53
$54-55
$57-58
$56-57
Heavy Native Cows
50-54
$44-46
$44-46
$48.50-50
$42-43
Branded Cows
50-54
$36.50-38
$38-39
$41-42
$34-37
Holstein Dairy Cows
50-54
$55-56
$58-66
$61-62
$54-58
100-110
$52-59
$54-59
$54-59
$51-54
Native Bulls
(early)
SHOP TALK! MAY 2017 13
The Hide Report Several analysts expect the luxury goods sector to benefit in 2017 from improved consumer sentiment in China, tax cuts under the new US administration, and robust Middle Eastern demand due to firmer oil prices.
MEXICO’S PBF DROPS TRUMP LINE Premium Brands Footwear (PBF), a Mexican firm that partnered with The Trump Organization in 2014 to make men’s shoes, has severed ties with the US president following rising anti-Trump sentiment in the country, a company source told just-style. The move comes as Mexican producers are up in arms about Trump’s threats over a border wall and plans to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) by the summer. The sector is also reeling from a recent spike in subvalued products from China and Asia, Luxury department store chain El Palacio de
Best Quality • Great Service Over 30 Years Experience • BUFFALOS • CALFS • COWHIDE • GOATS • KANGAROO • TAURUS SHOULDER (BULL HIDE) GLAZE & OIL
• COW LININGS • INSOLE BEND 8/9 & 9/10 BUFFED • OUTSOLE BEND 10/11 NATURAL
Exotic Leathers are Special Order
www.cloysleathers.com 14 MAY 2017
SHOP TALK!
Hierro last month removed Ivanka Trump shoes accessories from its shelves, citing disappointing sales, although sources said the chain had succumbed to rising anti-Trump pressure. The industry has also established a working committee inside the NAFTA negotiations to preserve the Aztec nation’s footwear and leather manufacturing cluster whose sales grew 5% to $1.4 billion last year. The 150,000 strong sector, however, has seen profits hammered as the plunging peso has increased the cost of raw material. Trump’s plans, however, to expel more Mexican immigrants is seen helping manufacturers because it will bring new and qualified workers back to its shores. “Right now, we could get 5,000 to 10,000 more workers for our industry,” according to an industry spokesman. “We need workers and these are good and qualified ones.”
Goods & Services M AY 2 0 1 7
Got a special you’d like us to mention? A closeout? Then give is a shout at (435) 529-7484, e-mail: candace@burns1876.com, or write: P O Box 6, Salina, UT 84654
different pieces of chrome in nice colors and textures. They were also offering three sizes of very small round detail punches—a needle point, 0.5 mm, and 0.1 mm. Very handy.
Thanks!!
Of course, there were lots of tools, supplies, and stamps on sale including their Ecoweld Water Based Contact Adhesive. Give it a try! And get on their mailing list by contacting: 1900 SE Loop 820. Ft. Worth, TX 76140, www.tandyleather.com.
*There are quite a few closeouts and bargains on the web site for SouthStar Supply: including aerosol products, bulk chemicals, rotary knives, cutting room supplies, Dremel accessories, hemming and binding folders, pens, pencils and chalk, rulers, scissors, and more! Give them a look at www.southstarsupply.com.
*There’s some strap leather for sale at American Leather Direct—talk to Matt Ashley. He’s got 300 pcs. of 8/9 oz. struck through black strap belly for $10 ea.
Get on their monthly newsletter and contact SouthStar at (800) 288-6739, (615) 353-7000, e-mail: service@southstarsupply.com.
Also 30 sides of 9/10 oz. struck through black on black strap leather at $135/side. 35 pcs. of 7/8 oz. #3’s, *The folks at Frogjelly Leather have just gotten in natural dbl. shoulders at $60 ea. Finally, there are 50 some European dbl. shoulders ranging from 7/8 to sides of 9/10 oz. butt branded black bridle for $6.85/ 9/10 oz. Call for pricing. Also a huge price drop on DOUBLE HEAD sq. ft. their garment leather in a variety of colors. 5089 N.E. 12th Avenue This won’t last long so better give Matt a call at (800) Call (817) 969-5150 or e-mail: Katherine@ Oakland Park, FL 33334 624-7642, or e-mail him at: mashley@aleatherd.com. inkedleathet.com. (800) 645-3256 *Campbell-Randall is offering 25% off on overstock *WeFax got(800) a sales 746-5613 flyer for April specials from Tandy 85X 87X 97XFenice Edge Paint in select colors while supplies last. These RAPIDwhich RIVETSincluded a lot of nice Leather Factory Post Hgt. Post Hgt. 1/4 7/16 15/32 Contact: (800) 327-9420 or e-mail: sales@campbellAre Brass/Nickel Plated, looking vegand leathers as well as latigo sides9/32and 7/16 Cap Dia. Cap Dia. 1/ Will Not Rust!! randall.com.
FEINER SUPPLY
47X 9/16 7/16
E HEAD
DOUBLE HEAD
Item . . . . . . . per 500 Item . . . . . per 1000 H21X . . . . . . . $35 .50 85X . . . . . . . $56 .50 H89X . . . . . . . . 43 .50 87X . . . . . . . . 87 .50 H91X . . . . . . . . 44 .50 97X . . . . . . . . 97 .50 Packed 1,000 Caps H47X . . . . . . . . 55 .50
Item . . . . . . .per 500 H85X . . . . . . $36 .50 H87X . . . . . . . 54 .50 H97X . . . . . . . 59 .50
Our RAPID RIVETS Are Brass/Nickel Plated, and Will Not Rust!!
Posts 500 Capsand & Posts per BagPer
Bag 1000 Caps & Posts per Bag
FEINER SUPPLY
47X 9/16 7/16
SINGLE HEAD
DOUBLE HEAD
5089 N.E. 12th Avenue 5089 N.E. 12th Ave. Oakland Park, FL 33334 Oakland Park, FL 33334 (800) (800) 645-3256 645-3256 Fax Fax(800) (800) 746-5613 746-5613 Post Height 85X feinersupply@aol.com These RAPID RIVETS Post Hgt. Post 1/4 Cap Hgt. Diameter Are Brass/Nickel Plated, www.feinersupply.com Cap Dia. Cap Dia. 9/32 Cost per 1000 and Will Not Rust!!
E HEAD
Item . . . . . . . per 500 H21X . . . . . . . $35 .50 H89X . . . . . . . . 43 .50
21X 87X 5/16 7/16 9/32 7/16 $65.00
DOUBLE HEAD
Item . . . . . per 1000 85X . . . . . . . $56 .50 87X . . . . . . . . 87 .50
DOUBLE HEAD
500 Caps & Posts per Bag
89X 97X 3/8 15/32 7/16 1/ $70.00
Item . . . . . . .per 500 H85X . . . . . . $36 .50 H87X . . . . . . . 54 .50
91X 7/16 7/16 $75.00
47X 9/16 7/16 $80.00
85X 1/4 9/32 $60.00
87X 7/16 7/16 $80.00
97X 15/32 1/2 $90.00
SHOP TALK! MAY 2017 15
16 MAY 2017
SHOP TALK!
Goods & Services
WEAVER LEATHER UNVEILS NEW SEWING MACHINE By Nick Pernokas, Senior Feature Writer Weaver Leather recently told Shop Talk! about the latest addition to their popular line of shop friendly machinery. It is the new Weaver 205 Sewing Machine. This stitcher is built on the frame of the popular, but discontinued, Adler 205. According to Jim Weaver, this fantastic sewing machine sews as well as a $6,000 Adler sewing machine. For less than $3,000 you get the servo motor, table, and machine. “We’re very excited about this machine,” says Jim Weaver. “We’ve sold a lot of them already, and they’re doing really well.” This cylinder arm machine would work great in any harness or saddle shop. It sews Brahma Webb and Biothane like nobody’s business. It handles leather up to 7/8” thick and thread up to size 346. “You can go from ¾” leather to ¼” leather with almost no adjustment, “says Jim. The 205 is smooth and quiet and is an ideal machine for shops where several people have to run it. “It’s what we’ve been looking for since the Adler 205 was discontinued over a year ago. The Adler 205 was a Mercedes, and one of the best machines out there even though it was expensive.” The Weaver 205 will be included in their new catalogue this spring. The Weaver 205’s are in stock
and can be shipped within a day or so. The 205 joins Weaver Leather’s ever expanding line of machines that are designed with the small leather shop in mind. Another recent addition is the Mighty Wonder 8 Ton hand operated clicker. In the couple of years since it was added to the line, it has gained recognition for its ability to punch out large and intricate dies with surprising ease. The original Mighty Wonder 4 Ton clicker was a popular addition for craftsmen that only clicked a few things out and didn’t want to invest in an expensive hydraulic clicker. The 8 ton version dramatically increases the clicking power that these affordable machines offer. For more information contact Weaver Leather at 800-932-8371, or go to shop.weaverleather.com. SHOP TALK! MAY 2017 17
Quality Leather Goods From Our Family to Tour Family
DieCo
Precision Clicker Dies at an Affordable Price
Manufacturers Of:
All kinds of horse collars for work, pleasure, and show. • Waist Belts • Purses • Wallets • Bracelets
• Possible Pouches • Hats • Dog Collars • Dog Leashes
• Door Bells • Key Chains • Custom Leather Work • Plus Much More!
ASK FOR A QUOTE
• Ejection Rubber
• Quick Turn-Around Time • ¾ or 1¼ Material
Coblentz Collar Ltd.
3348 U.S. 62 • Millersburg OH 44654 Ph: 330-893-3858 • Fax: 330-893-1166 Hours: M-F 7:00-4:30 • Sat 9:00-3:00 • Closed Sun Visa-Mastercard Accepted
• Strong Bracing
• Quality Punches
Please Call or Write for our new 54-page Leathergoods Catalog and/or 32-page Horse Collar Catalog.
Hillside Harness Hardware
4205 Township Road 629 • Millersburg, OH 44654
THE
HIDE HOUSE We Stock Over 1,000 Types & Colors of Leather!
New & Improved Full Color Catalog Upon Request
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Logon: www.hidehouse.com Visit: 595 Monroe St., Napa, CA 94559 Call: 800-4LEATHER (800-453-2847) Fax: 800-255-6160 18 MAY 2017
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Boot & Shoe News
C LOY’S LEATHERS FOCUSES ON CUSTOM CRAFTSMEN By Liisa Andreassen, Staff Writer THERE’S NOTHING THAT QUITE compares to on-the-job training when it comes to working in the leather business. At least that’s what Loy Cuellar, owner of C Loy’s Leathers will tell you. So, after working for other businesses for more than thirty years and about to turn 52, Pat, his wife and business partner, convinced him to open his own place in January 2015. Today, he supplies top quality leather from the United States, Europe, India, and Mexico to custom boot and shoe makers and accessory crafters.
LOVING WHAT THEY DO “I kept pushing him to open his own business because I knew he had the ability and knowledge to do it,” Pat says. “Loy also likes to take care of his customers and wants to offer them the very best quality leather at a reasonable price.” For Pat, it’s also been a learning experience. She says she knew nothing about leather when she met Loy. SHOP TALK! MAY 2017 19
Boot & Shoe News
“I did have some business skills since my parents had their own business and I learned a lot from them,” she says.
A TYPICAL DAY So, what’s a typical day look like for the couple now? Pat says that the day starts at 8 a.m. and she and Loy read e-mails and discuss plans for the day. They also get walk-ins at their El Paso, TX, warehouse and they welcome that. The 1,500 square foot warehouse is open to the public. “Phone calls are good too,” she says. “We love what we do and feel very satisfied at the end of each day.”
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When it comes to daily challenges, Pat says that mostly it’s difficult to keep certain popular items in stock because of their high demand.
FUTURE PLANNING “And, our vendors sometimes have their own setbacks and that affects us down the line, but we are working with them so that we can prevent that happening in the future,” she says. Right now, top sellers are calf (Glass and Missouri), Taurus shrunken shoulders (bull
“We love what we do and feel very satisfied at the end of each day.” —Pat M. Cuellar, partner C Loy’s Leathers hide), and Italian kangaroo. Pat says that these are always in high demand. Their exotic skins are inspected and cleared for by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service which facilitates legal trade and prevents illegal trade in prohibited or banned skins. Their plans for the future include keeping up with new items and to continue providing only the best quality leathers and great service to their clients. All items are shipped to clients via UPS unless a customer requests a different carrier. What the couple enjoys most about having their own business is that they know that all the hard work they do is “going to represent who WE are.” SHOP TALK! MAY 2017 21
Boot & Shoe News “We don’t have any employees at this time, but we do plan to have some in the future, hopefully soon,” she says. When they’re not working, which is not often, they enjoy spending time with their three grown children and eight grandkids. “We love to travel and have frequent family gatherings with our children,” Pat says.
CONTACT INFO Pat M. Cuellar C LOY'S LEATHERS 11394 James Watt Dr., Ste. 410 El Paso, TX 79936 (915) 239-9102 www.cloysleathers.com patcuellar3@yahoo.com
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MOE HEADRICK Stuntman Saddle Maker By Nick Pernokas, Senior Feature Writer
Weatherford, Texas, has become a bedroom community for nearby Fort Worth with commuter traffic jamming the interstate twice a day. Weatherford was at one time, however, a hub for many ranches that grazed cattle on the rolling prairies surrounding it. If you look hard enough, you can still find traces of the old West that haven’t been paved over. One of these is on the southern edge of town. An old, white frame ranch house and a stone horse barn that looks at least a hundred years old sit high enough on a hill to give a beautiful view of the rangeland to the southwest. If you step inside the house, that sense of the West continues. In the living room, faded photos line the walls. They begin with old time working cowboys and progress up through Hollywood cowboys. There is one other cowboy in all of these photos of celluloid heroes who is unmistakably the real thing. He welcomed me into his home and pointed to one of the photographs. “My Grandpa was an old time cowboy,” explained Moe Headrick. “He had twin broth-
Every actor needs a good head shot for his resume.
ers, and at one time they received an award for being the oldest working cowboys in Orange County, Texas.” With this family background, it was only natural Moe started riding by the time he was four. When he got bigger he was roping wild cattle in the brush. By the time Moe was in his teens, he was learning how to repair his own saddles. “That’s really how I got started in the leather business. It wasn’t making belts but by working on saddles.” Moe’s dad wasn’t a horse person. All of the cowboys were on his mom’s side of the family. She even exercised race horses for Moe’s grandfather. SHOP TALK! MAY 2017 23
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“We always said Dad’s side of the family were civilians.”
THE COWBOY LIFESTYLE Moe’s dad encouraged him to go to school and do something besides cowboying, and Moe did try some different occupations, but he kept falling back into the cowboy lifestyle. He worked on ranches, broke horses, worked on saddles, and shod horses. Moe worked on a lot of ranches that were isolated from a local saddle shop so he taught himself to pull saddles apart and work on them. Eventually he began building saddles as well. In the 70’s, Moe became interested in the buckaroo craze and liked the reemergence of old time cowboy gear. So he decided to specialize in vintage saddles and gear. Over the years Moe had saddle shops in McKinney, Bonham, and Springtown, TX. In 1984, the TV show “The All American Cowboy” was being shot in McKinney, and Moe had a friend who was a security guard on the set. His friend overheard the producers talking about the need for horses so he told them about Moe. As a result. Moe ended up supplying nine horses to the production. It was his first job as a wrangler. During his career he met many of the old cowboy actors like Chuck Connors, James Drury, Clint Walker, and Ken Curtis. Moe made a lot of connections. “I realized as I was sitting on my horse watching everything going on, all the cameras and lights, that I could do this.” Moe met the stuntmen that were working
A Slim Jim cross draw holster with matching spur straps.
on the show. In the ’80’s, stuntmen had gotten away from horse stunts and were using motorcycles and cars; Moe, however, had a solid background in riding horses and driving wagons. They talked him into joining the stuntman’s association, and, for the next twenty years, Moe worked as a stuntman. He did fights, horse falls, and saddle falls from the horse. Moe also drove wagons and stage coaches. Moe performed stunts or arranged special effects in “The Alamo,” “American Outlaws,” “Problem Child,” “Texasville,” “Pure Country,” and “Walker, Texas Ranger” among SHOP TALK! MAY 2017 25
many others. Looking to the future, Moe also tried to hone his acting skills. “The hardest thing I had to do was to go from being a stuntman to being an actor.”
Moe with Chuck Norris in the set of “Walker, Texas Ranger”.
Many casting directors didn’t believe that a stuntman could act. But as he slowed down on his stunts, more acting roles were available for him.
“I preferred to play bad guys because they’re the most fun,” laughs Mo. “I’m a very gentle person so sometimes it’s hard for me to really get mean.”
Moe was an outlaw three times in “Walker, Texas Ranger” as well as driving a wagon a few times. He was a bad guy in a TV show
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pilot “West Town” opposite Randy Travis. Moe played another bad guy in “Oklahoma Marshall,” a film about legendary lawman Bass Reeves. In “Texas Dick, Bard of the Prairie” Moe was a biker who ends up getting stapled to a boxcar.
STAR POWER Moe also appeared in commercials for companies like Pace Picante, Rooms to Go, and Chick-Fil-A. He’s also been in several music videos including Bon Jovi’s “Wanted Dead or Alive” and “Poncho and Lefty” by Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard.
Moe loves to build period saddles that look good in
Moe always liked doing something different reenactments and on film. though, and as he moved into his sixties he began to write and produce a few short films. Moe only builds old high back saddles for In 2015 he produced, and directed, a feature the public, and he also builds a lot of period film, “Headin’ for Mexico.” It won awards at holsters for cowboy guns. The film business both of the film festivals it overlaps into reenacting, and was shown at. HFM is a famMoe has become involved “I’ve been so fortunate in this as well. His wares are ily-friendly film like most of Moe’s work. Moe supports a popular with the reenactors to have been brought lot of Christian based projup a cowboy, and then who put on gunfights and ects, but he really doesn’t shows in nearby Fort Worth to go to being a movie as well as other places. Many talk about it much. If you’re around him though, you’ll of these folks are extras in cowboy, that’s been a notice that he’d rather “walk Western films and need hisdream come true.” the walk” in the way he treats torically correct gear. Moe —Moe Headrick others. is well known for providing good gun belts and holsters During all of this time, Moe that look great on film. Single action shooting has continued doing his saddle work. The contests as well as cowboy mounted shooting income has allowed him to pursue the film have been increasing in popularity, creating business which can be fickle. Today the Old another market for cowboy style holsters. West Saddle Shop #1 is located in his home. SHOP TALK! MAY 2017 27
Actor Red Mitchell tries on his new cowboy cuffs with derringer holsters while Moe looks on.
Frequently a customer will send a picture of a holster that he wants duplicated. A single action Colt is pretty standard but if a customer has an unusual gun, Moe tries to borrow it so the gun will fit perfectly in the holster. He builds a lot of lined holsters for the single action competitors so they have a smoother draw, but for the reenactors it really doesn’t matter. At 69, Moe has been the barn manager for Weatherford College for the past ten years. He still trains his own horses, and he and his wife, Wanda, still ride all the time. These chaps were made by Moe in 1986 in his shop in Bonham, TX. In 2015 someone found them on a street in Weatherford. They saw Moe’s name stamped on them so they brought the chaps to his shop to find the owner. Moe found a picture of the chaps and the order for them in his records but the customer’s name had been torn off over the years. 28 MAY 2017
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“I’ve been so fortunate to have been brought up a cowboy, and then to go to being a movie cowboy, that’s been a dream come true.” To find out about Moe Headrick’s saddles and holsters, you can call him at (817) 988-5805.
Sunset Trails Silver and Burns Saddlery
Historic Dynasties Combine By Nick Pernokas, Senior Feature Writer
B
y the time you read this, Sunset Trails, a silver company with a long history, will be completely moved to its new location and enjoying the next chapter in its storied legacy. I want you to see what it was before that. You had to know where you were going to find Sunset Trails. The nondescript Temecula, CA, office building gave no indication of the treasures within. There wasn’t even a sign on the outside of the building. But once inside the door, you began to realize something good was going on. A poster of James Dean wearing a Sunset Trails buckle in "Giant" adorned one wall. A picture of the cast from "The Misfits," with Montgomery Clift, Clark Gable, and Eli Wallach, similarly accessorized, keep it company. Hung on another wall was a picture of Roy Roger's saddle, originally made for a Ms. Musick. Adorned with silver, gold, and 1,500 rubies, the saddle cost $20,000 in 1932. The products that Sunset produced in the last ninety years are intertwined with the Golden Age of the West, both in films and in reality. Todd Stanton was the fourth-generation owner of Sunset Trails. He worked for Sunset Trails for 22 years. Todd and his wife, Marie, purchased the company in 2014 from his father Robert. "I was pretty much born into it. During high school I'd work in the summers for my dad, and after college I went to work full-time," said Todd. "It's always been in our family."
Todd Stanton was the last family member to run Sunset Trails.
And the family was always close to its customers. Todd remembered a motor home pulling into the driveway of their home and film stars Fess Parker and Slim Pickens getting out to visit.
CELLULOID COWBOYS Sunset Trails was started in Los Angeles as the Srour Company in the early 1920's by Mike Srour, Robert Stanton's uncle. Mike used traditional designs that had become popular on California rancheros. As the movie industry took off, these styles became popular with the celluloid cowboys, and the Srour Co. moved SHOP TALK! MAY 2017 29
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Sunset Trails is known for its iconic retro style buckles. Photo courtesy Burns Saddlery
to Culver City, the home of MGM Studios. The Western films spread the "Western look" across the nation, and Srour's buckles and silver followed. In 1951, Robert Stanton bought out his family partners and changed the name of the company to Sunset Trails. In the mid 1950's Robert purchased the McCabe Silver Company. In the 1990's, Robert bought the Boyd Silversmith Company of Reno. In 1994 the company moved from its previous location, in Santa Monica, to Temecula. Sunset Trails continued to make the Boyd lines of coin mounted products as well as the McCabe and Sunset Trails lines of silver products. They had dies that went back to the 1920's, so they were able to produce a really cool retro look as well as exact reproductions of pieces from that era. Todd liked to design new items as well, and this gave them a wide range of options. "We try to produce contemporary products, but also stay true to our heritage," said Todd. One inch solid sterling silver belt buckles were 80% of their business. Many of these were personalized. Trophy buckles were also a big seller. Fourteen carat gold was available as a trim option. Todd always preferred to stay with the precious metals because that's really what Sunset Trails was about.
The Sunset Trails belt and buckle set is a reproduction of the one they made for Roy Rogers. Photo courtesy Burns Saddlery
Leatherworkers and saddle makers have always come to Sunset Trails for silver. Chuck Pinnell, well known designer and artist from Virginia, has custom silver made for his chaps by Sunset Trails. Keith Seidel is a notable saddle maker who also uses their silver.
CELEBRITY CLIENTELE Sunset Trails had its share of contemporary celebrity customers. They did work for Arnold Scwartzeneger, and Richard Petty came in to get a buckle made. Most of their work was wholesale though. Sunset Trails sold primarily to high end stores like Leddy's, Reward's, and Pinto Ranch. They had accounts with stores as far away as Japan. "We never wanted to open our doors up to retail," said Todd. Todd had an eye towards mainstream men's shows because he'd seen a decline in the "mom and pop" tack shops that had sold a majority of clothing and accessories to Western oriented customers in the past. Todd believed that a buckle was a fashion statement that could transcend the "Western wear" image. Since there was no storefront, most of the 5,000 square foot space was taken up by production. In addition to Todd, there were two SHOP TALK! MAY 2017 31
Burns Saddlery is carrying on the long Sunset Trails tradition of great silver products. Photo courtesy Burns Saddlery.
many of the intricate figures that could be mounted on them. Many of these dated back to the 1920's and formed parts that decorated the saddles of long gone horsemen. Along the wall were the trip hammer, screw presses, silver shears, kick presses, and bench press.
silver engravers and a leather tooler. Sunset Trails made a line of silver mounted leather products which included calfskin and alligator hatbands and carved belts of all sorts. Oak carved belts mounted with silver and gold acorns were a signature product. Much of the space was taken up by a room that housed dies for punching out and embossing the shapes of various buckles and other products. There were also molds for casting
the
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Next to the metal fabrication room was a leather shop for producing silver mounted leather items. Along with the usual assortment of leather machinery and tools was a braiding machine that was used to braid bolo ties. One spool of a color was braided and then lengths could be cut to make the ties. Another room was where the lost wax casting took place. Stacks of rubber molds waited to be filled with wax to make small steer heads and other figures. The wax figures were then set on stems or "trees" and placed in a metal
for
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cylinder called a "flask". Plaster was poured in around the wax in an "investment casting". After twelve hours of hardening, the flask was placed in an oven to melt the wax. Molten silver was then poured into the figure cavity through the pour holes left by the tree. This was done in a vacuum to prevent air bubbles. When the silver was hard, the plaster was placed in water to crack it, and the figure was removed and cleaned. The final room was used for engraving. On any given day you might have seen Jose Salvador hand engraving silver pieces. Jose worked in the shop for forty- three years. His hand tools were an extension of his hands. "I know how they feel, and I know how to sharpen them," said Jose.
REVERED TRADITIONS This reverence for the traditions and legacy of silversmithing served Sunset Trails well for many years. Fortunately, its rich history will continue as the company begins a new chapter. One of the companies that Sunset trails made silver for was Burns Saddlery in Salina, UT. Burns Saddlery is not just another saddle shop but the oldest "same family" owned Western store in the world. Their 140 year existence mirrors that of Sunset Trails'. A while back, Burn's fifth generation owners, Scott and
Danna Shaw, were visiting with Todd at Sunset Trails. Danna happened to mention that if he ever wanted to sell Sunset trails, they would be interested in first refusal. "We wanted to preserve the authenticity and history of the tools and dies that went back to the 1920's," says Danna Burns-Shaw. A few months ago Todd decided to sell. "We manufacture saddles, hats, and belts. We wanted vertical position in all of those things so the silver was a perfect fit for us," says Danna. "We have a wholesale arm of our business, and that was what Sunset Trails had always been, so we plan to continue that." Burns Saddlery has pursued the idea of a mainstream clientele by opening two additional stores in Park City, UT, and Carmel, CA. They call this their "Resort Side" of the business as opposed the "Horseman Side". This exposes their products to people from all over the world. The silver is a good fit for this as well since they promote upscale silver and leather accessories SHOP TALK! MAY 2017 33
that are fashionable in a boardroom or on a golf course. "Sunset Trails is a separate entity from Burns. It will remain Sunset Trails. It's really important that we keep that heritage."
glass in the hat shop, and now you can see silver products being made with historic equipment and dies in the Sunset Trails shop. Sunset Trails is not so hard to find anymore. This rubber mold is closed shut and then wax is injected into it to make an Indian head that will eventually be cast in a precious metal through the lost wax method.
Two sixth generation members of the family, son Braydan and daughter Destiny, are coming up and are already a large part of the day-today operations of Burns Saddlery. At the main Burns Saddlery Shop in Salina, you can see saddles being made behind glass in the saddle shop, hats being made behind
34 MAY 2017
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For more information about Burns Saddlery or Sunset Trails, visit www.burnssaddlery. com or call (435) 529-7484.
CONTACT Burns Saddlery 95 W. Main St. Salina, UT 84654
Flat Brim Saddle and Rawhide Shop Relocates to New Mexico By Nick Pernokas, Senior Feature Writer
I
f you haven’t guessed it from the name over the door, you’ll realize when you walk in the Flat Brim Saddle and Rawhide Shop that Billy DeMarco is a traditionalist. New buckaroo and cowboy saddles sit in various stages of construction on drawdowns. An old A Fork is being cleaned and rebuilt. The pictures on the walls are of working cowboys. In the back room of the shop, Billy is making a cartridge belt and his wife, Rosa, is lacing a rawhide tapadero in the front while one of the dogs is munching on a rawhide scrap at her feet. Billy’s story begins in Colorado where he was raised. The night that he graduated from high school, Billy headed to Nevada to buckaroo and that’s where he fell in love with the gear that the buckaroos were using. “I’d go into Capriola’s and Eddie Brooks’ shop and see all this neat stuff they were building, but I couldn’t afford it on buckaroo wages,” remembers Billy. “I figured the Lord had blessed me with two good hands. I thought I can do that.” Billy continued to work on ranches, but the
Billy and Rosa DeMarco with some of their drying hides.
seed was planted. After work at night Billy would braid in the bunkhouse when there was nothing else to do. Eventually, He ended up in Clovis, CA, in the mid-90’s where he apprenSHOP TALK! MAY 2017 35
The DeMarco family, including daughter Emma, are archery enthusiasts. Billy made this rawhide quiver as well as the arrows. There is no hardware. Rosa did the beadwork.
ticed with Al Gould for six years. “The day I started working there I was sweeping floors, and the day I left, I was still sweeping the floor,” laughs Billy. Billy also did a lot of repair work in Clovis and also built a saddle for himself with Al’s help. Eventually, Billy opened a small shop of his own but, since he didn’t have a sewing machine, he’d go back to Al’s shop to use his. Billy continued his education by spending a week with Dan Mayer in Montana and building a saddle with him. Billy’s next shop was in continued on page 42
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Passing the
Reins
By Liisa Andreassen, Staff Writer
More than 40 years ago, Ron Cimini decided that he could offer something different to the equestrian industry. While he was told that he was foolish to use expensive American-made English bridle leather to manufacture products in Pennsylvania, he pressed on. He had a vision of offering the best quality product at the best price possible and that mission remains the same today for his brainchild – Tory Leather. In January 2017, Cimini retired and one of his trusted employees, Ben Meckbach, purchased the business from him. Ben, an employee of nearly thirteen years, had been mentored by Ron from day one. “I was in my early 20s when I first started working for Ron and was not sure where life was taking me,” Ben says. “Ron gave me opportunity and education and taught me about life at a time that I needed it most.”
Tory Leather's Ben and Kate Meckbach
He says that Ron built the company on fundamental business practices: Make the best product from the best materials you can find, at the best price, and have it ready to deliver when the customer calls; pay your bills when you get them; and treat the customer like you want to be treated. Ben plans to continue Ron’s practices.
Reflecting on the Past; Looking to the Future Ben says that he is excited to lead Tory Leather into what is undoubtedly a bright future. When Ben first started working for Ron he was primarily a driver and did some production. However, Ron assured him that there really was SHOP TALK! MAY 2017 37
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For more information call 877-916-TREE or visit PrecisionSaddleTree.com
They also have a group of sales representatives throughout the country that sell their products. They have been and will remain a wholesale manufacturer because they value the dealer/wholesaler relationship.
no limit to what he could learn and take on. As a result, Ben joined Ron at trade shows and took an active role in multiple segments of the business, mostly in managing materials used in the production of the company’s various products. As Ben’s interest in the business and the industry grew, he started to work more with customers—big and small—as well as private label enterprises.
Their production runs on two-week cycles and they analyze sales and inventory and then produce work orders based on that.
“Ron was generous in teaching me all aspects of the business and let me have plenty of rope to make mistakes and learn more,” he says. Currently, Tory’s Leather has a total of six employees (including Ben) at the main location in Williamsport, PA, and they have fourteen to seventeen production shops running at any given point in the year. “We have a great staff,” Ben says. “I’ve been here nearly thirteen years and I’m the newest!”
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“Need to Have it to Sell it” “Ron taught me that you need to have it to sell it,” says Ben. “We stock items based on a running sales history and aren’t afraid to invest in inventory. We’ve had a 97-98% fill rate for a number of years because of it.” Leather is mostly sourced from Wickett and Craig of America based in Curwensville, PA. “They make a great veg tan leather and we’ve had a close relationship with them for a number of years,” Ben explains.” It doesn’t hurt that I
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SHOP TALK! MAY 2017 39
can take a truck and trailer and be there in less than two hours either.” Right now, Tory’s belts have really been big sellers, but that’s not all. For the tack customer, Tory’s offers a complete western, English, and training equipment selection. They also have a nice dog catalog as well as handbags as well as personal leather goods like wallets and executive accessories which they’ve started to manufacture more recently.
What's Next? Since buying the business, Ben says not much has really changed for him. In part, this is due to the busy trade show season and not having much time to dwell on the extras.
40 MAY 2017
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He says that each day is different. “Today I might be making cement repairs to a storm drain and tomorrow I may be up at 4:30 a.m., at the tannery by 7 a.m. and then spend the rest of the day dividing my time between five of our shops. I also spend time at my desk networking with customers and answering emails. I like it all,” he says. Ben’s wife of nine years, Kate, has an active role in the business too. When she’s not managing a local restaurant or taking care of their two children, Hudson, 7 and Finley, 4, she helps Ben with trade shows and assists in the office on a weekly basis. “Family and community are important to me,”
Ben says. “Ron was and is very active in the community and that influenced me too. Right now, I serve as a rural township supervisor and also on several boards at our church. I also enjoy working in the shops, talking to customers, designing new items, and working with raw material sources,” he says. “For the time being, I plan to continue with my ‘hand in everything’ role, but do it with a goal to teach, just as Ron did with me.”
Contact: Tory Leather Co. 1318 Commerce Park Dr. Williamsport, PA 17701 (800) 326-9438 www.toryleather.com
SHOP TALK! MAY 2017 41
FLAT BRIM SADDLE continued from page 36
Craig, CO. By 2000, Billy was braiding bosals and under bridles while he was packing for a Colorado outfitter. Then a couple of years ago Billy and Rosa began to make their own rawhide for the products they were making. As things worked out, they quickly found out that other craftsmen needed rawhide lace as well, and soon they were selling it as fast as they could make it. “It’s our passion, and there’s a need for it. There are a lot of good braiders out there that we’re supplying with rawhide.”
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At Flat Brim’s current location in downtown Dublin, TX, it is difficult to put up the rawhide so Rosa and Billy drive a few miles out of town to a ranch where the owner has let them use a barn. Billy picks the fresh hides up from a local processor and brings them to the ranch where he trims off the parts that he doesn’t use. He then lays a hide over a rack or “fleshing board “and scrapes off any meat or fat that is clinging to the underside of the hide. The hide then goes into a lime bath until the hair loosens up, and then the hair is scraped off. The hide is then put in a vinegar bath. After this, the hide is removed and placed on a rack or “stretcher” and stretched. The stretching requires expertise. The sides of
SHOP TALK! MAY 2017 43
1-877-845-0080
www.maverickleathercompany.com 44 MAY 2017
SHOP TALK!
the hide are tightened using clips, s-hooks, and mule tape in 7’ segments so each section of tape can be adjusted independently. If too much pressure is applied there can be a pulling apart of the hide’s fibers which is called sepaSome round nose tapaderos drying on a rack. ration. A wire wheel on a grinder is used Many of the braiders who purchase the rawto touch up the flesh side (underside) for any hide “string” from Billy could make it themspots that were missed in the fleshing process. selves, but it’s faster and easier for them to The hide is washed again with a vinegar spray order it from him. Thinner hides like Jersey and then put up to dry. The hides are monicattle are in demand because they don’t have tored and the tension adjusted as they dry. to be split down as much as thicker hides. “Rosa puts her hides up looser than I do but Since braiding is an international business, they usually come out better than mine,” Billy ships to Australia, Switzerland, and laughs Billy. Belgium. After the hides are dry, they are then rolled Saddle tree makers also need Billy’s produp and stored. They can be shipped at this ucts. The DeMarcos ship wet, frozen hides point or they can be rewetted and allowed to several high end tree makers in the U.S. to “temper” in a bag before they are cut into and Canada. Usually these are bull hides lace. To do this, Billy cuts a 27” circle out of although the tree makers can’t do much with the hide and then puts it on a device made by the heavy necks. The thicker portion is used Clint Haverty called an “antenna.” The antenon the forks and the thinner parts generally na allows the disc to rotate as the lace end is cover the bars. pulled through a stripper. The spindle in the LOTS OF POTENTIAL center contracts towards the stripper as the diameter of the circle shrinks. This is a rapid Although Billy still likes to build cowboy way to strip a lot of lace. Usually it is shipped gear for working cowboys, he sees the rawin ½” widths which can be split and then hide business as one with little competition stripped into narrower strings by the braider. and a lot of potential. SHOP TALK! MAY 2017 45
One of Flat Brim Saddles most popular products is a combination of both businesses. The beautiful rawhide tapaderos that they specialize in are sought after by many other saddle makers to use on their saddles. Noted braider Billy Albin of Comanche, TX, was instrumental in their tap business. He had gotten too busy to make them and turned a lot of his business over to the DeMarcos. The tapaderos come in a round nose and a pointed nose style. They can be buck stitched or laced with dyed lace and personalized with brands. The customer can select between a metal bound stirrup and a Nettles stirrup. The treads are made with a braided nylon cord
46 MAY 2017
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that is wrapped around the stirrup bottom and dipped in hot wax. They wear like iron. As with most things done with rawhide, the window for working with the rawhide is small, and the steps are time consuming. The base price for a pair of tapaderos is $200. BRAIDING & BEADWORK
“I don’t mind lacing the tapaderos,” says Rosa, “but my favorite thing to do is the braiding. I also do Native American bead work.” Flat Brim also offers two great books on braiding by Enrique Capone for craftsmen who would like to learn more about braiding. Billy’s unique business card is a key fob
clicked out of rawhide in the shape of a miniature hide. He stamps his maker mark in the middle. Billy posted on Facebook that he was skinning mouse hides and many people still believe that.
Shop doesn’t sound as good,” laughs Billy. Flat Brim Saddle and Rawhide will soon be relocating to the Boyd Ranch near Mountainair, NM. Making rawhide is difficult to do in a city environment, and the wide open spaces are good for it.
In addition to his Billy is famous for his mouse rawhides. It does take rawhide work and quite a few of them to make anything though. This one braiding, Billy still was signed by famed braider Pablo Lozano. The DeMarcos will builds saddles. His be taking care of the favorite saddle to build is on a 58 Wade sadranch headquarters, but their leather and rawdle tree, but, at his current shop in Texas, he’s hide business will continue full time. been building more Low Moose and Will To find more out about The Flat Brim Saddle James, style saddles. Billy’s base price for a and Rawhide Shop’s tapaderos and rawhide call rough out saddle is $2,500 but he does offer a (575) 423-3212, or look for it on Facebook. “stripped down” version for $1,850. He tries to keep his prices in line with what a working CONTACT: cowboy can afford. Flat Brim Hat Saddle and Rawhide Shop HC 66 Box 612 WHAT'S IN A NAME? Mountainair, NM 87036 And why did he name his business the Flat www.flatbrimsaddleandrawhideshop.com Brim? “Because The Taco Brimmed Saddle
SHOP TALK! MAY 2017 47
M AY 2017
News, Notes & Queries
SHOP TALK! IS SOLD! The new owners are the folks at Burns Saddlery in Salina, UT, and will be taking over the last part of April. They may be reached at P O Box 6, Salina, UT 84654, (435) 529-7484, fax (435) 5291033, e-mail: candace@burns1876.com.
ONE READER WRITES So you think you have a few clicker dies? Lynn Ascrizzi [“Family Run Texas Custom Die Keeps on Growing,” March 2017, pp. 33] could not have picked two more wonderful people to write an article about than the Kinnicks. I first started dealing with them in 2000 when I met Heather at the Saddle and Boot Makers’ show in Brownwood, Texas. I had not met Kirk yet because he was in the background showing an individual how he made a die for him. Heather called him over and there began a great friendship that is still growing today. As you might see from the pictures, I have quite an investment in their business and will probably keep investing in the future, as my business grows. My business is located at my residence but the savings I make up for is what I really like. So to see them on the front cover and to read the article written by Lynn Ascrizzi about their business is great. I watched them grow from a small die business back in 2000 to what they are 48 MAY 2017
SHOP TALK!
now and their attitude toward their customers has not changed. I know I can call or e-mail them and get what I need in a short time turn around. I think my business has grown because of the dies I have purchased from Texas Custom Dies. I have a small, one-man business in Brady, Texas,
News, Notes & Queries
and I do boot and saddle repairs. I started dealing with Kirk and Heather in about 2000 when the boot and saddle show was still located in Brownwood, Texas, and I was living in the big city of Marfa, Texas. Heather talked me into purchasing a die that cut half soles for boot repair. Since then I have purchased sole bends and cut my own half soles, and then I needed a full sole die. It has grown since then to what you see on my wall of dies. All I had to do was send Kirk a cutout of what I wanted, and he was the master die maker and what I got was exactly what I needed. Now in 2017 they are both more than just business associates, they are friends and I feel that I will stay with them
for years to come. The time that I save using their dies in my small business is essential.
Jim Kitchens Kitchens Custom Saddles and Boot Repair, Brady, TX. Phone (325) 597-4360.
BIG FRENCH LICK SALE Jim Cox at Moser Leather let us know that the auction and trade show March 20-21, in French Lick, IN, was a dandy one. Here’s what he wrote: We sold over 2,000 hides, including sides from Hermann Oak, Shotan, Double K, Moser, and many others. We will be moving the next spring Auction / Show to New Albany, Indian, at the
SHOP TALK! MAY 2017 49
Floyd County Fairgrounds. Dates will be about the same time with the exception of it being a Thurs, Friday, and Saturday event. Thanks for all your participation. James Cox” New Albany is the former home of CaldwellMoser Tannery where Jeff Ballard at Thoroughbred Leather cut his teeth. Currently, it is the home of Silver Creek Leather.
BEST TOOL & EQUIPMENT AUCTIONS So many new people getting into leather work! And they’re starving for information! They’re looking for tools and supplies and equipment! So if you’re a newbie (or even an oldbie) and looking for some great deals on used tools, equipment, hardware, overruns, surplus products, etc., get yourself to the following auctions—they are the best! WEAVER CONSIGNMENT AUCTION in Mt. Hope, OH, June 14-15. It’s always great. (800) WEAVER-1, www.weaverleather.com. 48TH ANNUAL HARNESS MAKERS’ GETTOGETHER AND CONSIGNMENT AUCTION. The auction will be on July 20, and should be a real good one since the folks at Hillside Harness Hdw. in Millersburg, OH, will be hosting it. You might also stay in contact with Jim Cox at MOSER LEATHER, (513) 889-0500, www. moserleatherco.com. Jim hosts several auctions throughout the year. Now if YOU’RE having a sale, please let us know at least 60 days PRIOR to the event and we will mention it at no charge. Ads for scheduled events need to be received a minimum of 60 days prior to the sale or auction. Please contact:
News, Notes & Queries
Shop Talk!, P O Box 6, Salina, UT 84654, (435) 529-7484, e-mail: candace@burns1876.com.
the Roundup is not about “show and tell,” no, siree! It’s all about SHOW and SELL, SELL, SELL!
Thanks!
So let’s get those dates on your calendar and then head to Wichita Falls, TX, to the MPEC Center. For all the details, please contact the show hosts, Eddie and Kathy Kimmel, at Kimmel Boot, 2080 County Road 304, Comanche, TX 76442, (325) 356-3197, www.bootandsaddlemakerstradeshow.com.
COME ON DOWN TO THE ROUNDUP! Pardner—you had better mark on your calendar Oct. 6-7 because that’s when this year’s Custom Boot & Saddle Makers’ Roundup takes place and you do NOT want to miss that because it’s just about the best trade show ever! Great people, great products, and great vendors. All the new people and products you’ll see certainly makes the trip worth it. And, VENDORS— you better sign up early for booth space because things fill up quickly. Why is that, you ask? Because
If you’re just getting into the leather trade—and 100’s of young folks are—then one good way to put yourself on a learning fast-track about who has what sort of supplies, leather, and equipment, then you cannot do better than to attend the Roundup. It’s an education. Plus you get to rub shoulders with the best boot and
SHOP TALK! MAY 2017 51
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 59/60” NYLON FABRICS Firsts & Seconds Urethane Coated. 60 colors on 1000-Denier & many other fabrics. 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 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.
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
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52 MAY 2017
SHOP TALK!
!
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P.O. Box 6 • Salina, UT 84654 (435) 529-7484 • email: candace@burns1876.com
News, Notes & Queries
saddle makers in the world. Nice people. See you there!
45TH ANNUAL CARRIAGE MAKERS’ GET-TOGETHER This is an event that I never miss because there’s more fightin’ and fussin’ than Christmas dinner at Arkansas Hillbilly’s house. A lot more! Those buggy makers know how to party! It’ll be on July 14 at Jerusalem Carriage in Penn Yan, NY, where the founder of The Harness Shop News (now Shop Talk!) lives—hello, Leroy! For all the details you can call Everette at the buggy shop in Dayton, VA—(540) 879-9260. Everette likes to be called real early before he gets too busy so it’s OK to call any time after 5 AM. Or real late at night after 11 PM. And while you’re at it, you might as well congratulate Everette on celebrating his 50th year in business! Wow!!
46TH ANNUAL SPRING CARRIAGE AUCTION It’s always good! It’s the annual Martin’s Spring Auction of antiques, coaches, carriages, sleighs, and other horse related items. It’s great! And it’s scheduled to be held this coming April 28-29 at the Lebanon Fairgrounds, 80 Rocherty Rd., Lebanon, PA. You may contact Martin Auctioneers at (717) 354-6671, www.martinauctioneers.com.
84TH ANNUAL MEETING OF EAIA The Early American Industries Association will be meeting this year at Old Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge, MA, May 17-20. Activities include tours, demonstrations, seminars, and tool trading. Members only. For all the details, please contact: P O Box 524, Hebron, MD 21830.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR! MAY 19-21 240
Rocky Mountain Leather Trade Show Sheridan, WY Leather Crafters & Saddlers Journal (888) 289-6409 www.leathercraftersjournal.com JUNE 14-150
Weaver Consignment Auction Mount Hope, OH, 44660 (800)-WEAVER-1 JULY 20-210
48th Harness Makers' GetTogether and Consignment Auction Hillside Harness Hardware Millersburg, OH, 44654 OCTOBER 6-70
Custom Boot & Saddle Makers’ Roundup Wichita Falls, TX Contact Kimmel Boot 2080 County Road 304 Comanche, TX 76442 (325) 356-3197 www.bootandsaddlemakers tradeshow.com.
SHOP TALK! MAY 2017 53
Pro Concho Turner $2.65 ea. + SH
$2.35 ea. + SH
P.O. Box 6 • Salina, UT 84654 (435) 529-7484 • Fax: (435) 529-1033 • www.proleptic.net
54 MAY 2017
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BU Y, SE LL OR TRAD E
CLASSIFIEDS
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
FOR SALE
LOOKING FOR WHOLESALE OUTLET to sell whips—36”-78”. Also poppers. Please contact: Eli A. Miller with Buckeye Whip at (330) 6746779 or send mail to 2053 Township Road 112, Millersburg, OH 44654. (8/17)
OWN A PIECE OF VERMONT!!: Onion River Cobbler, a 32-year old shoe and leather repair business with a loyal following located in scenic Vermont is for sale by owner who is retiring. $75K (registered name & assets). Owner willing to remain 4-6 month to train buyer. Steve Hopkins, 7 West Canal St., Winooski, VT 05404. (802) 655-2532. (07/17)
WANTED: NEW SUBSCRIBERS from Utah, Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico. Now is the time to renew! Give us a call at (435) 5297484 , e-mail: candace@burns1876.com or visit www.proleptic.net.
DS C LASS I F I E UY ! EST B AR E O U R B
’s of Reach 1,000 buyers... potential s $26.50 !! a e l t t i l s for a
NYLON HALTERS ALL SIZES MINI TO DRAFT. Also--nylon webbing by the roll 5/8” to 2” in lots of different weights. Pebble weave edged nylon. Also—mini and draft nylon harness. Free wholesale catalog. Contact: Stauffer’s Harness Shop, 5940 Dry Bone Rd., Hillsboro, OH 45133, (740) 634-2659. FOR SALE: LANDIS 16. Runs well. $2,000. Contact: Francis Woodward, Meherrin, VA, (434) 736-2355. SHOP TALK! MAY 2017 55
CLASSIFIEDS WHOLESALE HARNESS SUPPLIES: Brahma web, nylon webbing, BioSheet, PVC belting, Healzall, and much more! Please check out our new Countryside Carefree Collars in three styles, Feather Flex, Super Flex, and Super Curved. We also stock a full line of harness hdw., and harness parts. Ask for free supply catalog. Contact: Countryside Manufacturing, 504 S. Humbert St., Milton, IA 52570 or call (641) 656-4246 between 8 and 9 am. (R&B) WHOLESALE 7 FT. LEAD ROPES 5/8” polypropylene (Derby) with NP bull snap and plait or BP bolt snap and plait. Prices: 1-11 @ $3.85 ea. 12-49 @ $3.75 ea. 50-99 @ 3.50 ea. 100+ $3.35 ea. We accept VISA
and MasterCard. Wagler’s Wholesale (812) 636-8200. (8/12)
SADDLE BUSINESS: Machinery and inventory for sale. Hydraulic press, USMC splitter. For full list of all inventory, please call (256) 597-2001. Wish to sell entire inventory together. (3/17) HITCHING POST SUPPLY has horsehair and mohair cinch cord available in natural and dyed colors. For use in pottery, braiding, hitching, and more. Instructional books and DVDs at www. hitchingpostsupply.com, Call or e-mail Hitching Post Supply for new wholesale and retail catalogs at vickie@ hitchingpostsupply.com, (800) 689-9971
The Brahma Webb Difference ®
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For harnesses that look great and perform even better, pair our exclusive Brahma Webb® coated webbing and stainless steel hardware for the ultimate in durability. Weather-resistant, low-maintenance, and easy-to clean, Brahma Webb® is the only harness webbing that carries a 100% satisfaction guarantee from the manufacturer.
Ask for Brahma Webb® at your local harness shop. Complete harnesses and Brahma Webb® are available from the following distributors.
Fisher’s Harness Shop Ronks, PA 717-687-6048
Troyer Enterprises Millersburg, IN 574-642-3678
Countryside Manufacturing Milton, IA 641-656-4246
Check Out Our NEW Variety of Color Tan
Olive Drab
Desert Tan
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We offer the best selection of stainless steel hardware in the business including Horse Shoe Brand Hardware designed by Jeremiah Watt.
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56 MAY 2017
SHOP TALK!
CLASSIFIEDS or (360) 668-2349 (outside USA). (3/17)
COMPLETE LEATHER GOODS FACTORY EQUIPMENT FOR SALE. As total unit. Manufacturing achinery/supplies for anything expect footwear. Call Sam at (352) 216-2098. (3/17) KREBS SKIVER BLADES new. $200 plus SH. Made in US. Double tempered. Contact: Proleptic, Inc., P O Box 17817, Asheville, NC 28816, (828) 505-8474, shoptalk@proleptic.net 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 Bridle & Equine Tool, 26266 E. County Road 700 N., Easton, IL 62633. (309) 562-7266. E-mail: jp-equinetacktool@casscomm. com, www.jptacktool.com. FOR ALL YOUR LEATHER NEEDS. Call Moser Leather (800) 874-1167 or (513) 889-0500. You can visit our website at www.moserleatherco.com. Polyboard clicker blocks for your clicker or workbench in assorted sizes. United Carr
Shoe Repairs That You Can Do 52 pp • 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 Heels • Resoling Running Shoes • Potions & Lotions • Rocky Mountain Boots Revisited: New Soles & Mid-soles • Installing a ThreeQuarter Wedge into Sandals • $22.50 +S&H
PO Box 6 • Salina, UT 84654 • 435-529-7484 • www.proleptic.net
Automatic Line 24 snap setting machines for sale. Please inquire. (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: SHOP TALK! MAY 2017 57
CLASSIFIEDS shoptalk@proleptic.net.
FOR SALE: PRICING GUIDE: “HOW TO ESTABLISH PRICES FOR THE SADDLE MAKER AND LEATHER WORKER.” Only $39.95 plus $4.50 S&H. Contact: (828) 505-8474. (12/17) 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,
New Item
Electric Rope/Webbing Cutter with 2 5/16" blade
$12650
Works with: • Nylon • Polypro • Coated Webbings
Replacement Blades
PLUS S&H
Reg. $2495 Intro. Price
$2200
PO Box 6, Salina, UT 84654 | candace@burns1876.com 435.529.7484 | www.proleptic.net 58 MAY 2017
SHOP TALK!
PLUS S&H
The “Word of the Day” is: scintilla OH 43609, (866) 362-7397 or (419) 3808540. (12/17)
WWW.THELEATHERGUY.ORG for all your leather, tool, and supply needs. Friendly, helpful staff at (507) 932-3795. (R&B)
BOOTS & SHOES BUSINESS FOR SALE: DAVIS CUSTOM BOOT. All equipment included. Asking $8,950 or best offer. Located at 1209 E. 11th St., Quanah, TX 79252. Contact for more information: (940) 839-6537. (5/17) SHOE SHOP FOR SALE. Machinery was very well kept. Looks close to new. Landis K (including new needles), Landis 88, Landis 25 leather cutter, Nosecone 12 Autosoler, heel wheel Autosoler, Jack Master 4-in-1, finished Autosoler (extra cutters, etc. included), metal and wood lasts, shoe jack, metal and wood shoe trees, shoe press, Wolverine foot measurer. All machines have electric motors. Also 100’s of new shoe heels and soles, different types of hand riveters, lots more small items that go with shoes. All for $3,200. If interested, contact: Crist Shetler, 19396 Six Mile Rd., Stanwood, MI 49346. (3/17)
BEHIND EVERY GREAT PROJECT THERE’S A GREAT MACHINE
Model 2600 cylinder walking foot
Model 830 post bed roller feed
Model 2900-L leather patcher
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ADVERTISERS INDEX American Leather Direct...........................6
Goliger..........................................................13
................................. 54, 57, 58, back cover
Auburn Leather..........................................24
Hadlock & Fox............................................41
Raphael Sewing / Tech Sew...................59
Beiler's Mfg & Supply...............................44
Hansen Western Gear.............................11
Renia.............................................................21
Biothane......................... inside front cover
Herman Oak Leather................................49
RJF Leather.................................................20
Bowden Saddle Tree.................................46
Hide House..................................................18
Brayer............................................................11
Hillside Harness Hardware.....back cover
Brodhead Collar.........................................40
IHS..................................................................20
Buckeye Blankets.....................................10
International Sheepskin.........................42
Buckeye Engraving...................................52
Kalico Leather Life....................................44
Buckle Barn....................................................9
Kelly-Larson................................................44
Small Farmer’s Journal............................52
Buggy Builder's Bulletin..........................13
Landis Sales & Svc...................................14
Smoke & Fire...............................................52
C Loy's Leathers........................................14
Leather Crafters........................................43
Sorrell Notion & Findings........................54
Campbell-Randall......................................26
Leather Machine Co....inside back cover
SouthStar Supply......................................52
Chino Tack...................................................10
Mark Staton...................................................8
Springfield Leather...................................30
Chuck Smith Tools....................................39
Maverick......................................................44
Steel Stamps.............................................44
Chupp Blacksmith.....................................42
Milton Sokol................................................22
Sun Bias.......................................................52
Coblentz Collar...........................................18
Montana Leather......................................36
Danny Marlin Knives.................................14
Mules & More.............................................54
Die Co............................................................18
N & A Harness............................................54
EC Leather...................................................40
Ohio Plastics...............................................10
Fairview Country Sales...........................36
Ohio Travel Bag...........................................43
Feiner Supply..............................................15
Orion Calf.....................................................24
Wayne Jueschke.......................................14
Fiebing..........................................................34
Perfectex Plus...........................................20
Weaver Leather.........................................56
Fine Tool Journal........................................52
Precision Saddle Tree..............................38
Western Mule Magazine.........................54
Gfeller Case................................................13
Proleptic........................................47, 50, 52
Wicket Craig...............................................16
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Shop Talk! P.O. Box 6 Salina, UT 84654 (435) 529-7484 candace@burns1876.com www.proleptic.net 60 MAY 2017
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Sew What?!.................................................20 Shelton Reynolds......................................18 Shetler's Collar..........................................44 Sho-Tan.........................................................51
Sweat Pad...................................................10 Tandy Leather.............................................32 Texas Custom Dies...................................51 Toledo Sewing...............................................1
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SHOP TALK! MAY 2017 61
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CASH & CARRY SALE JUNE 12–16 2017 JULY 17–21, 2017 We will have free frypies and refreshments all week. We will also be hosting the
48th ANNUAL HARNESS MAKERS GET-TOGETHER AND CONSIGNMENT AUCTION JULY 20–21, 2017 The auction is July 20th and the get-together July 21st. We will be having a free supper July 20th starting at 5:30. Please make reservations by July 14th. If you have consignments for the auction let us know for free advertising.
4205 of Township Road 629Hardware Distributors Quality Distributors of Quality Millersburg, OH 44654 FAX: (330) 698-3200 for the & Supplies Hardware & Harness, SuppliesTack, Saddlery, Pet Industries for the and Harness, Tack,