Book Sale! Sa Leather Projects You Can Do: Volumes I- VIII
Volume I
• 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 WAS $21.50
SALE $18.25 + SH
Volume II
• More Western Saddle Repairs • Making an Old Fashioned Western Bridle • Making Tapaderos: Different Styles & Sizes • More Tapaderos • Repairing a Western Saddle Horn WAS $22.50
SALE $19.15 + SH
Volume III
• Making a Carpenter ’s Apron, Part One & Part Two • Making a Farrier ’s Apron • Making a Custom Tool Pouch • Making a Walkie Talkie Case WAS $19.50
SALE $16.60 + SH
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 WAS $17.00
SALE $14.50 + SH
PLUS
HURRY!! SALE ENDS 12/18/2015
v 15%e
Volume V
• How to Make Rounds • Making a Rounded Throat Latch • Making a Mule Riding Bridle • Making a “Brollar” • Making a Team Breast Collar • Fast Facts WAS $22.00
SALE $18.70 + SH
Volume VI
• Collars, Couplers & Leashes, Part One & Part Two • Installing Spikes & Spots • Making Dog Harness • Making Dog Tracking Harness • Making a Dog Muzzle WAS $19.50
SALE $16.60 + SH
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 WAS $19.50
SALE $16.60 + SH
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 WAS $22.00
SALE $18.70 + SH
· Service Manuals · Instruction Manuals · Parts Lists
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 shoptalk@proleptic.net | www.proleptic.net
THE LEATHER RETAILERS’ & MANUFACTURERS’ JOURNAL
DECEMBER 2015
FEATURES
IN EVERY ISSUE
14 Goods & Services
4 Laugh Lines
24 Tips & Techniques
7 Hide Report
28 Roundup Recap 36 Fine Art & Jewelry of Olive Parker
16 Boot & Shoe News 46 News, Notes & Queries 55 Classifieds
40 Cabin Branch Tack Shop
28
36
Olive Parker
40
Roundup Recap Read Shop Talk! online with links to advertisers and online information.
Published by Proleptic, Inc. P.O. Box 17817 Asheville, NC 28816 Ph (828) 505-8474 Fax (828) 505-8476 shoptalk@proleptic.net www.proleptic.net 2 DECEMBER 2015 SHOP TALK!
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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! DECEMBER 2015 3
LAUGH LINES The game show contestant was only 200 points behind the leader and was about to answer the final question which was worth 500 points. “To be today’s champion,” the host said smiling, “name two of Santa’s reindeer.” The contestant, a man in his early 30s, gave a sigh of relief, happy that he had gotten such an easy question. “Rudolph!” He said confidently, “and. . . Olive!” The studio audience started to applaud but the clapping quickly faded into mumbling. The confused host replied, “Yes, will accept Rudolph but could you explain ‘Olive’?” “You know,” and the man began to sing, “Rudolph the red nosed reindeer had a very shiny nose and if you ever saw it, you would even say it glowed. Olive the other reindeer….” Every Christmas morning, when my kids were little, I’ve read them the Nativity story out of the big family Bible. When my son was old enough to talk, he asked me what a stable was. I thought for a moment how to explain it to him in terms he could understand then told him, “It’s something like your sister’s room but without the stereo.”
4 DECEMBER 2015 SHOP TALK!
Q: ou get What do y anta ss S if you cro ck? with a du A: as A Christm r e quack !
HOW TO CONFUSE SANTA CLAUS 1. Instead of milk and cookies, leave him a salad and a note explaining that you think he could stand to lose a few pounds.
2. While Santa is in the house, go find his sleigh and write him a speeding ticket.
3. Leave a note by the telephone, telling Santa that Mrs. Claus called and wanted to remind him to pick up some milk and a loaf of bread on his way home.
4. While Santa is in the house, find his sleigh and sit in. As soon as he comes back and sees you, tell him that he shouldn’t have missed the last payment and take off.
5. While he’s in the house, cover the top of the chimney with barbed wire.
6. Instead of ornaments, decorate your tree with Easter eggs.
Bob and his wife lived in Toledo, OH. One winter morning while listening to the radio, they heard the announcer say, “We are going to have 8 to 10 inches of snow today. You must park your car on the even numbered side of the street so the snowplow can get through.” Bob’s wife went out and moved her car. A week later while they were eating breakfast, the radio announcer said, “We are expecting 10 to 12 inches of snow today. You must park your car on the odd numbered side of the street so the snowplow can get through.” Bob’s wife went out and moved her car again.
WHY WOULD YOU INVITE A MUSHROOM TO A CHRISTMAS PARTY?
He’s a fungi to be with.
The next week they were having breakfast again when the radio announcer said, “We are expecting 12 to 14 inches of snow today. You must park….” Then the electric From all of us here at Shop Talk! to all of you out there, power went out. Bob’s wife was very upset and, with a worried look on her face said to her husband, “Honey, I don’t know what to do. Which side of street do I need to park on so the snowplow can get Thanks for being the best group of readers through?” and friends in the world.
A Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Bob smiled and said, “Why don’t you just leave it in the garage this time?”
SHOP TALK! DECEMBER 2015 5
6 DECEMBER 2015 SHOP TALK!
YOU R GLO BAL P ERSP ECT IVE HIDE PRICES CONTINUE TO FALL Heavy Texas steers fell again during the first week of November, slipping below the lowest prices of the year to $58 on seasonal weights in late July. Averages ranging between 64 and 68 lbs. sold for $59, $58, and as low as $57. Heavier weight hides continued their downward trend. 70 lbs. minimum averages sold during the first week of November for $62, and 80 lbs. sold for $66 and as low as $64.50. Branded Steers dropped $2-$4. A few sales were seen as high as $57 on 66/68 lbs. averages. Prices were as low as $56 and $55. Prices for Heavy Native Steers were steady with 64 and 68 lbs. hides selling for $69 and $70. Bulls with brands at 95/105 lbs. brought $58 at Laredo. 100/115 lbs. brands sold for $59 FOB.
LEATHER NATURALLY! [Editor’s Note: the following information appears on the website (www.leathernaturally. org) for an association called Leather Naturally! which was organized in 2010 by the Asia Pacific Leather Fair, APLF, its purpose being to promote the leather industry worldwide by educating the buying public as well as manufacturers.]
Despite tanning being almost certainly the oldest industry known to man, both its products and production methods are facing increasing challenges as the first decade of the 21st century heads to a close. The leather sector itself is global yet fragmented and so far no wide-
The Hide Report ranging initiative has been taken to defend and promote its interests. There is a chorus of criticism from pressure groups and NGO’s often with an ideological ax to grind and increasing competition for materials which successfully imitate the original product. An early introduction to this concept by World Leather was “Beast to Beauty,”
Successful Show at ANPIC
an annual conference and dinner held in the UK since 2008 and attended by a cross section of the industry with one aim in mind— to promote and draw attention to this very special raw material. . . .
Mexico’s semi-annual ANPIC fair in Leon closed November 7, with organizers reporting 370 companies in attendance representing 985 brands, coming from more than twenty-five countries. Suppliers are reported to have been satisfied with sales. Even though 95% of visitors and buyers come from Mexico, the fair is expected to become more important after the implementation of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).
Leather Naturally! was formally launched at a lunch organized by APLF, Ltd. at MM&T 2010 which was attended by representatives of industry associations, tanners, finished products manufacturers, and the trade press. The concept was outlined by Prof. Mike Redwood, a tanner and manufacturer of footwear, who has taken on the responsibility of acting as the central contact for the initiative. The next positive move was the organization of another industry dinner during ACLE (All China Leather Exhibition) at the end of August 2010. Sponsored by several companies servicing the industry and attracting more than forty guests which included tanners to retailers, the main feature of the evening was another address by Prof. Redwood followed by Dr. Dietrich Tegtmeyer of Lanxess, and Patrick Stapleton of GST Auto-Leather China. Various ideas were suggested as to the
Mexico, which is already an important production center for the world’s automotive industry, draws the attention of more and more large footwear companies. According to the Ministry of Economy, the TPP would create an additional 30% in international trade within the next five years (equal to $150 billion US) for Mexico which benefits from other free trade agreements already signed with forty-five other countries. The Mexican footwear industry would also be able to sharply increase its shoe exports which reached 26 million pairs in 2014. Dates can the next trade event can be found at www.laferiadeamerica.com.
SHOP TALK! DECEMBER 2015 7
DOUBLE K LEATHER SALES, LLC
205 N. MAIN, ST. CHARLES, MO. 63301 OFFICE: 636-493-1833 • Toll-Free: 888-263-5277 FAX: 636-493-1825 • sales@doublekleather.com
OPTIONS.
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www.doublekleather.com Daily Specials Hide OPTIONS U.S. Heavy Native Steer (U.S. or South American) Leather OPTIONS
Skirting • Latigo • Harness • Strap Craft Sides • Double Shoulders • Double Butts Dossets • Veg Bellies • Suede • Chap • Oil Tans Top Grain • Full Grain 3/4 oz (10 Colors) • Motorcycle Saddlebag 7oz Black • Exotic Prints Imitation Golden Fleece • Hair On Cowhides • BioThane (coated webbing) •
Double K Leather Sales Warehouse Locations: Atchison, Kansas • Houston, Texas St. Charles, Missouri
You have OPTIONS with Double K Leather
8 DECEMBER 2015 SHOP TALK!
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
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Feed one teaspoon two times a day. 28 day supply - 3/4 pound $24.50 plus $5 shipping $7 shipping for two containers
SAM TROYERS 130 Deckard Rd. Bidwell, OH 45614
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 2015 9
The Hide Report way forward including the most important—how to raise the capital necessary to get this concept off the ground. The objectives of the Leather Naturally! initiative are simple: *To educate the buying public, fashion designers, and finished product manufactures about the use, beauty, versatility, and sustainability of leather. *To educate the public on the shortcomings of synthetic materials made from petrochemical processes which leave a huge carbon footprint on the environment and, like radioactive materials, take hundreds if not thousands of years to biodegrade themselves into Mother Earth. *To defend the leather industry against the criticism leveled against the use of animal skins and the alleged dangers caused by cattle ranching and tanning industry to the environment. This is a complex task since it must be recognized that chrome tanning, for example, has been damaging the environment and groundwater for centuries but, nowadays, modern recycling plants, if properly managed, can minimize any damage to the surrounding tannery environment. Fashion designers are combining leather with textiles and synthetic materials to adorn their creations, however, many of them will not understand how leather is manufactured and the processes required to produce that supple, pink off-cut they are using to decorate their latest bag design. The more they understand, the more they will be inclined to appreciate the beauty and sustainability of leather. Our work will combine the promotion of quality leather with a positioning that encourages all elements of the industry globally to work towards sound and sustainable practices. It will not be part of the Leather Naturally! agenda to audit 10 DECEMBER 2015 SHOP TALK!
or attempt to manage the industry in any way but it will only promote and celebrate the best in leather as material for the consumer and the designer and for the plant. . . . A start has been made: the organizers of one of the most important international leather trade shows are ready to commit a substantial sum to the Leather Naturally! concept fund once other commitments are forthcoming. Also during the recent All China Leather Exhibition (ACLE) in Shanghai, a major trade journal dealing with the leather industry held a dinner in the Shanghai Hilton in order to promote the LN! concept to a wide-ranging group of attendees. These range from tanners, chemical companies through to finished product representatives. Feedback from the fifty or so attendees indicated a substantial level of interested parties who are ready to contribute. . . . To become a member of Leather Naturally! and support our industry, please email your interest including your name, company name, contact details to info@leathernaturally.org. The annual description for corporate sponsors has been set at $2,000 US. The annual description for individual supporters has been set at $200 US.
FEDERALLY INSPECTED SLAUGHTER Federally inspected slaughter for the week ending October 31st was 553,000. This compares to 548,000 the week before and 554,000 for the same period a year ago. For the year to date, slaughter was 25,083,000 which is 5.8% below last year’s figure of 23,620,000 or 1,463,000 head.
US RAW HIDE SALES UP 30% Net sales for the period ending October 22nd were 545,500 pieces. This is up 30% from last week’s figure of 420,900, and 47% above
Editorial from Hidenet.com The market is now at a six year low and hide supply is at a record low as well, not only in North America but also Brazil. The other consumption has fallen sharply due to record high leather prices in the recent past and now the proliferation of substitutes. If you’re leather buyer, do you have the guts to buy forward to lock in today’s comparatively low prices and reap the benefits if prices go up? If you’re a producer of hides, or in the case of a tanner, do you take every available order with the thought that prices are going further south? If you think that we are at or near the bottom of the hide “trading range,” then you act accordingly but there are no guarantees. Do you have the fear of making a costly mistake or the greed when you foresee extra profits that can be made by buying on a down market? The hide market is not like the stock market. There are not any 200 day moving averages or macroeconomic history that can be a guide. You can’t push a button or make a phone call or send an email and buy what you need, or conversely sell what you wish. We traded hides and leather, not stocks or copper or grain, etc. Instead, we have to deal in fashion and meet demand and governmental regulations on imports/ exports and pollution and, of course, changes in freight rates. We rely on personal relationships. We can’t reasonably hold large inventories on speculation and, as proven by the tragic behavior of too many tanners when the market collapsed last spring and early summer, there are some buyers who may not perform as contracted if the market dropped significantly. So the age old factor of fear and greed impact the way the industry does its business. Most of the largest, most successful firms disregard market movements and buy and sell each week. Over the long term they prosper. A good lesson for all.
the previous four week average. Destinations included: China 399,700 Korea 73,000 Taiwan 16,300 Mexico 16,000 Hong Kong 13,500 Turkey 9,200 Italy 6,700
US SALE EXCEEDS SLAUGHTER/SHIPMENTS Combined raw and wet blue sales as of October 22nd totaled 778,400, one of the highest totals of this year. This is up from 453,700 the week before. Adding in an estimated 35,000 consumed domestically to the 770,400 hides and total sales were 813,400. Slaughter for the equivalent time period was 548,000. Shipments totaled 572,600 hides and wet blues. Therefore, sales surpassed slaughter by 265,400 and shipments by 240,800 pieces.
CHINA’S LEATHER OUTPUT AND EXPORTS RISE According to a report from the Ministry of Industry and Information, leather exports generated a value of 7.52 billion yuan [$.16 US] in the first eight months of this year, making for an increase of 4.6%. Finished leather saw growth of 10.9% in August with a value of 890 million yuan while exports of leather products were 8.09 billion yuan, up 6.6% year on year.
ARGENTINE TANNERS REPORTEDLY BYPASSING LOCAL CUSTOMERS Representatives of the Argentine leather goods industry have convinced the government to investigate tanners over the lack of finished leather available locally. Finished product companies claim that tanners are exporting too much leather to customers overseas, leaving them unable to fill orders for handbags and other items.
Bates Accessories Acquires Custom Brand Footwear Bates Accessories, Inc., a manufacturer of belts, bags, wallets, and sandals since 1989, has purchased Custom Brand footwear of Delevan, WI. Custom Brand Footwear (CBF) designs and manufactures traditional hand sewn leather footwear under the David Spencer brand name which is distributed to over 600 accounts in the United States and known for producing custom shoes for specialty shops, golf pro shops, footwear and retail apparel brands throughout the country. “After more than 25 years making leather and fabric accessories and custom products for footwear manufacturers, we are excited to join forces with Custom Brand Footwear,” commented Thomas Bates, owner and president of Bates Accessories, Inc. “We look forward to combining our expertise and knowledge of leather manufacturing and distribution.” Thomas Bates sells to specialty and outdoor retailers and operates a leather goods factory in Haverhill, MA. The capabilities include all types of leather accessories in a variety of fabrics and
leathers, including cowhide, bison, reptile, ostrich, and snake. The brand also sources materials and products with partner factories in China and India. For fall 2016, Bates will introduce several footwear styles made from bison in their Haverhill factory under the Thomas Bates brand name. “Our US factory has grown considerably over the past five years,” said Bates. “It’s exciting to watch young adults learn the leather trade and grow as qualified craftspeople. With the addition of footwear, our production team is looking forward to the challenge of making shoes in the USA.” Bates will relocate the CBF office from Delevan, WI, to its Greenland, NH, location. John Bracewell will continue as the director of sales for Custom Brand Footwear accounts and will report directly to Thomas Bates. Claude Trotter, former owner and president of Custom Brand Footwear, will stay on board in an advisory role. Custom Brand Footwear styles will continue to be manufactured in Mexico and the Dominican Republic.
TIMBERLAND
down a low single digit percentage.
Third quarter revenue for the Timberland brand was up 11% including mid-teen percentage growth in its wholesale business and mid-single digit decline in directto-customer sales.
There is no change in the company’s expectation that the Timberland brand global revenue will increase at a low teen percentage rate on a currency neutral basis in 2015.
In the Americas region, revenue was up more than 40% due to a combination of strong performance and lower third quarter revenue in 2014 due to phasing orders. This growth should normalize to a full year high-teen percentage rate increase, placing the Timberland brand’s America’s business in line with expectations. In Europe, Timberland revenue was down a high single digit percentage, and, in the Asia-Pacific region, revenue in the third quarter was
COACH CONTINUES TO REORGANIZE Coach, Inc. reported a better than expected quarterly profit helped by demand for new products such as its Ace and Nomad handbags, a sign that the company’s turnaround program is gaining traction. The company has been renovating it stores and updating styles under creative director Stuart Vevers in an attempt to win back customers and market share from newer rivals such as Michael Kors Holdings, Ltd., and SHOP TALK! DECEMBER 2015 11
The Hide Report Kate Spade & Co. Coach, founded in a Manhattan loft in 1941, has been focusing on pricier handbags and cutting back on discounts and promotions to improve margins and preserve its luxury brand status. These actions appear to have helped as the company’s sales fell just 0.8% in the first quarter, compared with declines of between 11 and 16% in the previous three quarters. Coach, which gets about 35% of its revenue from international markets, maintained its “high single digit” growth sales forecast for 2015. The company has seen strong demand for its pricey handbags such as the nearly $600 Ace satchel, inspired by “motorcycle gang nicknames,” and the $500 crescent shaped Nomad hobo bag made of gloved hand leather. Coach also has seen strong demand for Stewart Weitzman luxury shoes, a business it acquired in May. Sales
SELECTION
in the business were 87.5 million, more than double the amount in the preceding quarter. Sales in China rose 3% on a constant currency basis and 6% in Japan in the quarter ending September 26. The company’s net income fell to 96.4 million from 119.1 million.
FAVINI LAUNCHES PAPER FROM LEATHER BYPRODUCTS The Italian company Favini which specializes in high end papers aimed primarily at the fashion and creative industries, has produced a new paper called Remake using 25% byproduct from the leather goods industry, 30% FSC-certified post consumption recycled cellulose, and 45% FSCcertified Virgin cellulose fiber. The product comes from a new process developed by the company that treats leather byproducts in order to obtain a recyclable,
WEIGHT AUGUST (LBS.) (EARLY)
biodegradable product that can be combined with traditional paper production techniques. The process leaves leather particles that are visible on the surface of the paper, giving it a distinctive look. Favini calls the result “a luxurious, recyclable and 100% biodegradable paper that offers excellent print and conversion performance, making it suited for a wide range of applications.” These range from brochures and cards to shopping bags and packaging. According to Gillian Thomas, key account manager for graphic specialties, “When they touch and feel the product I think clients will be engaged by it. When you touch it and you want to keep looking at, it does engage the senses. It’s slightly warm to the touch and it has a velvety feel. It’s got a very soft look to it. It looks great with little print, but I really look forward to seeing it embossed.”
OCTOBER NOVEMBER PRICE LAST (EARLY) (EARLY) NOV (EARLY)
Heavy Texas Steers
66-68 $60-63 $68-70 $59-60 $108-110
Heavy Texas Steers (Hvy)
74-78
$72-73
$76-78
$65-68
$117-118
Branded Steers
66-68
$62-63
$65-66
$58-59
$94-96
Branded Steers (Hvy)
70-72
$86-87
$69-70
$72-73
$105-109.50
Colorado Steers
66-68
$59-60
$64-65
$55-56
$103-105
Butt Branded Steers
66-68
$70-71
$73-74
$65-67
$113-114
Butt Branded Steers (Hvy)
74-78
$76-77
$76-79
$74-75
$118-119
Heavy Native Steers (Hvy)
74-78
$77-78
$82-83
$76-77
$120-122
Heavy Native Heifers
50-52
$54-55
$60-62
$57-58
$92-97
Branded Heifers
48-52
$52-53
$57-58
$54-55
$92-94
Heavy Native Cows
50-54
$45-46
$42-44
$39-41
$71-73
Branded Cows
50-54
$43-44
$36-42
$31-37
$61-64
Spready Dairy Cows
50-52
$54.50-57
$58-60
$55-56
$84-86
Native Bulls
100-110
$68-71
$55-60
$55-60
$85-90
12 DECEMBER 2015 SHOP TALK!
BONDED NYLON THREAD
1-866-415-8223
www.TECHSEW.com SHOP TALK! DECEMBER 2015 13
Goods & Services DECEMBER 2015
A very good source for exotic hides in small quantities is C-Loy’s Leather at 12528 Sun Empress Dr., El Paso, TX 79938, (915) 239-9102. Many folks remember Loy when he work with Peter Hardtke. Peter and his brother merged and specialize in larger accounts where Loy is now supplying smaller custom shops. Give him a call! There follows a very nice list of specials from the folks at Springfield Leather: • Overstock sale. 6 pk. of four pocket men’s deluxe wallet interiors for $36. Pig and kid. Black, brown, mahogany, burgundy, navy. • $10/skin. Brown garment lamb. 1.5 oz. 6-8 sf. #911-10L2 • $10/skin. Tan garment pig suede. ½ oz. 7-8 sf. #911-10P • 3 pack various exotic printed stingray skins for $75. 10-12” wide and 20-22” in length. #76275
• Horween second run in brown, burgundy, and black Chromexcel sides. $5.50/ sq. ft. • Horween second run Essex leather. $4-5.50/sq. ft. • Large lots of Horween second run horse fronts for $2/sq. ft. Gordon Totty at (225) 313-6041 has a large collection Civil War era newspapers, etc. for sale. Also original 19th century maps, documents, etc. They done it again—Weaver Leather’s 2015 catalog is over 312 pp. of lots and lots and lots of goodies for the nylon and leather worker, regardless of what you do! Do you make belts, bags or boots? They most likely either have a piece of machinery that you’d love to have, leather, tools or supplies. Same goes for harness makers and saddle makers. Same goes for case makers, holster makers and makers of dog goods!
• Free standard shipping on most orders of $75 or more. Orders under $75 flat charge of $6.
• Bundles of alligator, caiman, croc, ostrich, and lizard: 5 lbs. for $30, 10 lbs. for $55, 50 lbs. for $225, and 100 lbs. for $425. 14 DECEMBER 2015 SHOP TALK!
For example, they have a new black holster side which also comes in chesnut. Here’s a new swirl spot in different sizes and finishes.
Weaver continues to be an excellent source for reenactment hardware—stuff that you cannot find anywhere else! Here’s one of their US Cavalry repro bits New conchos from the folks at Horse Brand Tools—lovely, lovely, lovely!!
Contact: 1463 S. Glenstone, Springfield, MO 65804, (800) 6688518, www.springfield.com. Horse fronts and that lovely Horween leather are on special at Maverick Leather, 63055 Corporate Place, #6, Bend, OR 97701, (541) 797-2108, www.maverickleathercompany.com.
goes, their selection continues to grow and includes everything from single shoulders to dbl. backs in a growing variety of new colors, weights, and tannages.
They come with loops or Chicago screws. Horse Shoe Brand even makes a concho with a buckle:
As always, there are dozen of new items in the 2015 catalog which is one of the reasons Weaver Leather continues to be a leading innovator in our industry. As far as leather
Need a horsehair zipper pull?
How about a new glue brush?
Weaver Leather has a new quick change edging tool with five different blades
Now get your own catalog! Contact: P O Box 68, Mt. Hope, OH 44660, (800) 932-8371, www.weaverleather.com.
Get a catalog! Lee Valley Tools, P O Box 1780, Ogdensburg, NY 13669-6780, (800) 871-8158, www.leevalley.com.
The new 2016 Farrier Supplies & Services from American Farrier Journal is now available and it’s handy dandy especially if you carry farrier supplies and are looking for wholesale sources. 290 pgs—wow! Dozens of sources for anything used by the professional farriers, everything from forges to supplements. Also helpful listings for farrier schools, farrier associations, museums, and a lot more. This is one of those “must have” reference tools you need in your office! Van Dyke’s Restorers is your source for renovation and restoration needs—mostly fancy hardware including locks, handles, knobs, hinges, hooks, etc. 219 pp. The stuff is lovely but it is expensive. This is one of those catalogs you might like to have around which you can refer to when you get one of those odd jobs through the door—an old truck, an old chair needing a leather seat and fancy upholstery nails, etc.
Here’s a tool that can make your life easier and help you get your work done faster—EZ!
And it might be somewhere you’d like to advertise if you’re making equipment like farrier aprons!! Give it some thought.
And let’s not forget all the sewing machines, parts, and supplies Weaver carries. Need a servo motor? They got them as well—
woodworkers.
(800) 558-1234, www.vandykes.com.
Contact: P O Box 624, Brookfield, WI 53008-0624, (262) 782-4480, www.americanfarriers.com. Admittedly, one might find many of the items in Lee Valley Tools pretty silly—like the bear paw meat shredders or fruit and nut gather. However—there are a few other gizmos that—WHO KNOWS—you might find handy. Like their sorting trays for hardware. I could use one of those. Autosol Metal Polish. Tool grippers—for handles. Victorian string holder. Palette knives for SHOP TALK! DECEMBER 2015 15
P EOP LE PRODUCTS P L AC E S
HIDE REPORT There’s a lot more in the monthly “Hide Report” than just the prices of green hides. In fact, there’s almost a global review of what’s happening in both the hide market as well as what’s happening with finished goods such as shoes—lots, and lots of shoe news. In this issue, for example, there’s information about the largest footwear show in North America, ANPIC in Leon, Mexico. There’s news about what’s going on at Timberland, Custom Brand Footwear (David Spencer), and Stewart Weitzman which Coach recently purchased. So regardless of what you do, there’s news that you’ll find informative and interesting.
GOODS & SERVICES *Eddie Kimmel at Kimmel Boots is now carrying a selection of eighty different brightly colored threads for boot makers. Contact: 2080 County Road 304, Comanche, TX 76442, (325) 356-3197. *The folks at JM Custom Boot & Saddle are clearing out their surplus boot lasts. Contact: 22602 Coriander Dr., Magnolia, TX 77355, (281) 252-3374. *A new supplier of exotic leathers is C-Loy’s Leather at 12528 Sun Empress, El Paso, TX 79938, (915) 239-9102. Many people remember Loy when he worked for Peter Hardtke. Now Loy is out on his own and handling great quality leathers and happy to supply his hides in small quantities to custom shops. 16 DECEMBER 2015 SHOP TALK!
Boot & Shoe News Cowboy Boots The Cowboy Boot Calendar includes stunning images by photographer Jim Arndt of the most notable boots you will ever see. There is no need to be a cowboy to appreciate these boots. Little’s Boot Co. has appeared in the calendar each year for the last twenty years. Their first entry was in the early 90’s. And throughout the last couple of decades, occasionally they had more than one pair of boots included. Boots are submitted throughout the year and final entries are chosen by appearance, variety, quality, and originality. Jim Arndt, who provides the photographs for the calendar, says that he tries to include vintage and contemporary styles and selects boots that haven’t been seen before. “Little’s Boots”, Jim says, “are always in the calendar because they are top shelf, the best craftsmanship, and they are just beautiful”. Many calendar buyers range from boot people to collectors who study the boots. Calendars can be purchased from Brown Trout, which can be reached at 201 Continental Blvd., # 220, El Segundo, CA 90245, on the web at www.browntrout.com, or by phone (310) 607-9010.
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SHOP TALK! DECEMBER 2015 17
Boot & Shoe News
PUTTING A SPRING IN YOUR STEP Pain Relief Footwear Company Runs on Innovation If necessity is the mother of invention, then misery is its great-grandmother. And in the case of running enthusiast Al Gallegos of Albuquerque, N.M., it was that age old motivator — pain — that first prompted his invention, the springheeled, impact reducing footwear, now sold under the brand name Z-Coil®. by LYNN ASCRIZZI, FEATURE WRITER
Gallegos, 84, invented the Z-Coil shoe in 1983, at the peak of his running career. Left a single father with eight kids after his wife died in 1980, he somehow found time while taking care of the kids and managing a department store in Espanola, NM, to run at least seven miles per day. “I really enjoyed it,” he said. But in time, his enthusiasm was shared less and less by his body — the flesh and bone taking all that pounding. “Typical of all runners, I had plantar fasciitis (a common cause of heel pain) and bad knees and hips. While running down a hill, I thought: ‘Man, if I only had a pair of springs on my shoes.’ After that, I could only think of a spring on a shoe. It was obsessive.” It took him a while to find the right spring — a conical spring coil. He ordered 300 springs, cut up a bunch of running shoes and some boots and found a way to attach the coils. “If it hadn’t of been for Shoe Goo, a rubberized glue that sticks hard, I couldn’t have done it. The first time I put on my prototype for a short run, I knew it was going to work.” Photo courtesy of Z-Coil® / Z-Coil® inventor and founder Al Gallegos, left and his son, Andres Gallegos, currently company president and CEO, with two samples of their spring-heeled, impact-reducing footwear, Freedom Classic Men’s Navy White, and a slip resistant Töffler Clog. The company is based in Albuqueque, N.M.
In 1989, he got a U.S. patent for his unique footwear design. Then he tried to get samples made from his prototypes in the United States. But, prices like $800 to $1,200 per shoe turned him off. Then he saw an ad from a South Korean promoter named Mr. Yong Oh Lee who offered $50 per shoe sample. “I flew to South Korea and showed him a Nike running shoe. He almost fell off his chair when I turned it over and showed him the spring. It took him two years to get it [the prototype] right,” he said. Shortly thereafter, his son, Andres Gallegos, now company president and CEO, joined the business. “If it hadn’t have been for him, I wouldn’t have gone into business. We raised $6 million by selling stock. For every $500 that investors gave us, we gave three certificates. Each certificate was worth a pair of shoes,” he said. Al Gallegos’ daughter, Lucia Gallegos, is operations manager for the family run business. Soon, the business focus became pain relief footwear. Z-Coil® was off and running. And so was Gallegos. By 2005, the company launched its retail franchise opportunity and, later, expanded to affiliate vendors who, along with other comfort and pain relief footwear products, carried the Z-Coil® line. In 2010, the company offered Internet and phone sales. “It doesn’t make a noise,” he said of the conical heel spring that coils into itself when you walk or run. “It’s very stable. Every one of our shoes has an orthotic in it — a rigid piece of material from the heel to the metatarsal. We put a pad over it. It makes walking so easy. You can walk on rocks.” He also designed a running shoe with a spring placed more in the center. “It’s really fast,” he said. The radically different, coiled heel spring is plainly visible on their shoes, clogs, and sandals. But on work boots, the coil is covered with a rubber heel that collapses as you walk on it. “The covering on boots is for looks and safety,” he explained. The Enclosed Coil System (ECS) is also available to create a customized appearance on any pair of footwear they offer, according to their web site
18 DECEMBER 2015 SHOP TALK!
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Boot & Shoe News are picking up slightly. Our stores are doing rather well,” he said. Currently, about eighty retail stores in the U.S. sell their shoes. Store locations can be found at the company web site.
information, www.zcoil.com. Z-Coil® is one of the most expensive shoes on the market, he noted. Shoe prices are roughly $200 to $260; boots run from around $239 up to $369 for steel toed boots. Uppers are made of full grain leather. Their web site offers nineteen styles of women’s footwear and seventeen styles for men, “Women are our biggest buyers. They seem to have more common sense than men,” he said.
SPRINGING BACK To date, Z-Coil has sold over 1,300,000 pairs of shoes in the U.S. “We’ve had the same South Korean manufacturer since we started,” Gallegos said. By 2006 to 2008, annual gross sales for the shoe company was $10 to $11 million. “But then the recession hit. We had 280 dealers. Half went broke. We took a beating.” Since then, it’s been a long recovery, but Z-Coil, which currently has about twelve employees, is slowly springing back. “Now we’re doing almost $2 million (gross sales). We’re coming up. Our international sales
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A small percentage of their shoes and boots are sold abroad in England, France, Australia, and South America. “We’re going to be opening up that international market. People in other countries do so much more walking than in the United States. . . .We don’t charge shipping on delivery anywhere in the U.S., but we charge shipping abroad,” he said. The company is working on expanding its retail base beyond brick and mortar stores. “Amazon is one of our dealers. We’re looking into Zappos. Internet sales are really picking up. The Internet — that’s the way of the world,” he said. As Gallegos swings into his eighth decade, he continues to come up with shoe innovations. “Currently, my son and I are working on a shoe product that comes with interchangeable uppers. You could have a dress shoe or a running shoe. You’ll have the same bottom, but you’re buying three different uppers. The bottoms — you almost can’t wear those out. We’re toying with Velcro or a zipper,” he said. Right now, they’re in the process of finding a manufacturer for the new idea. “We could do it in Mexico, but we’re looking for a U.S. manufacturer. Shipping is better and there’s
Photo courtesy of Z-Coil® / The Z-Coil® company, which is based in Albuquerque, N.M. Founder and inventer of the Z-Coil® shoe, Al Gallegos, at the far left in the back row. N.M.
less travel. Then, we could guide it along,” he said. Gallegos noted that about four different entrepreneurs have tried to
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Boot & Shoe News copy Z-Coil® footwear. “But, it’s a hard shoe to make. Just because their shoes have a spring, doesn’t mean that they work well. You have to have it made right. Our shoe solves a lot of problems for a lot of people,” he said.
A Retailer’s View Glenn and Bette Huffman, independent retailers who own a Z-Coil® store in Pass Christian, MS, had more to say about customers. “My biggest customer base is the casino worker. They’re on their feet for hours in the same spot. This shoe takes care of their knees and feet. There are about twelve to fourteen casinos on the Gulf Coast,” Glenn said. Other customers include workers in grocery stores, Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Wal-Mart. “People come to my store from Florida, Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi,” he said.
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Huffman opened the store in 2007. “I never had a bit of problem during the downturn. But it was hard to get stock. So, I bought out some of the Z-Coil stores going out of business at the time.” Huffman also offers customers a repair service to replace worn heels and soles. “I do it here at the store. I repair them myself. The parts are replaceable. I can put a new set of heels on in about 10 minutes. The soles take a little longer to fix. You have to let the glue set up,” he said. Repairs cost about $50 for a new set of heels or new soles. According to Z-Coil® founder Al Gallegos, many of their dealers offer a repair service, and the company also works closely with shoe repair shops. “I’m still doing well. This year, I turn 80 years old. It’s a perfect business for older people. It’s a good, steady pace. . . . I don’t want a big business. My wife and I run it like a mom and pop store. My business — I see it pick up a little bit every year,” Huffman said. More Information: Z-Coil® & Bio-Trek Pain Relief Footwear™ 6932 4th Street, NW, Albuquerque, NM 87107 (505) 345-2222 ext. 1105 Fax: (505) 938-5770 1-800-268-6239 www.zcoil.com www. biotrekfootwear.com YouTube, Facebook, Twitter Glenn Huffman, retailer Z-Coil® Pain Relief Footwear 8292 Firetower Rd., Suite B, Pass Christian, MS 39571 (228) 831-2424 huffmansunset@aol.com www.zcoilgulfcoast.com 22 DECEMBER 2015 SHOP TALK!
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Sheridan Style Carving
Whips and Whipmaking
SALE PRICE: $29.75
SALE PRICE: $16.95
by Bill Garner and Clinton Fay: paperback, 136+ pp. This is a book by carvers for carvers and leatherworkers who appreciate world-class craftsmanship. Readers are taken step-by- step through the process of laying out and tooling the intricate patterns of the famous Sheridan style. Was $35
by David W. Morgan: paperback, 132 pp. An illuminating exposition of the uses as well as the construction and design of whips. This book revives an aspect of our technological and social history that had fallen into neglect. Was $19.95
Braiding Fine Leather: Techniques of the Australian Whipmakers
To Handmake a Saddle
by J.H.L. Shields: paperback, 80 pp. Probably the best book on the market for craftspeople wanting to learn how to build or repair an English Saddle. Was $14.95
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: $12.70
SALE PRICE: $16.95 Leather Braiding
Book Sale!
by Bruce Grant: paperback, 191 pp. The definitibe book in its field. Contains detailed illustrations, step-by-step instructions and a wealth of incidental, fascinating information. Was $9.95
SALE PRICE: $8.45 Leather Facts:
How to Better Evaluate & Buy Leather. 20 pp. Was $11.50
Leather Tooling & Carving
by Chris H. Groneman, soft cover, 111 pp. with 148 photos & diagrams. This book was originally published in 1950 and has a very dated look in the way it’s organized as well as in the types of projects and styles of carving that are presented. However, with that said, there maybe forgotten ideas, techniques, & patterns that someone who stamps and carves leather would be happy to rediscover. Has the look of a classic. Was: $14.95
SALE PRICE: $12.70
Western Saddle Making
by Robin Yates: paperback, 60 pp. Step-by-step instructions for how to make a Western Saddle. Includes instructions and descriptions of tools, cutting, rigging, and much more. Was $24.95
SALE PRICE: $21.20
Advanced Western Saddle Making Vol. 1
by Robin Yates: paperback, 76 pp. Covers different styles, gullet and cantle lacing, different rigging and more. Was $21.50
SALE PRICE $18.25
SALE PRICE: $9.80 Shoe Repairs That You Can Do
Save 15% HURRY!! SALE ENDS 12/18/2015
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 Three-Quarter Wedge into Sandals, 52 pp. Was $22.50
SALE PRICE: $19.15
Ph 828.505.8474 Fax 828.505.8476 P.O. Box 17817 shoptalk@proleptic.net Asheville, NC 28816 www.proleptic.net
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SHOP TALK! DECEMBER 2015 23
CHUCK PINNELL
Tips & Techniques from the Professional
NEW ID E AS A ND WAYS TO IM P RO V E T H E Q UA L IT Y O F YO U R W O R K This month we are very pleased to have as our guest writer Chuck Pinnell of Pinnell Custom Leather.
STANDING OUT What makes your work stand out from others should always be the attention paid to the smallest of details. The edges of the piece are one of the most important elements of any leather project. Simply by spending a little time working the edges either by creasing, beveling, burnishing, or adding a turned or rolled French edge will increase the value of the job exponentially. Whenever given the chance we always crease the edges, even if the piece is stitched—the crease sets the stitch off and ties everything together. Belts, wallets, and just about any job will benefit from this step and truly makes your work stand out. There are several different ways to add a delicate line to the leather. Leatherwork is found in every corner of the globe and while methods of creasing
vary culturally these are the techniques we use here at Pinnell.
CREASING All leathers are different; some take creasing, dying or burnishing better than others. You will want to take a sample of the leather you are working with to test any and all of the treatments you are going to apply. If the piece is stitched you will want a remnant to test the stitching to assure the work is as close to perfect as possible when complete. A simple creasing tool that I have used many times in the past is an old pair of compass dividers. Buff the points so they are dull and do not cut the leather. By running one arm of the dividers on the table and the other on the piece, you will be able to attain an even and uniform crease with very little pressure depending on the leather. When creasing a belt, don’t forget to crease the keepers as well; it will set the piece off. Some leathers will crease very well dry and some you may have to dampen with water for the dividers to work. One advantage of the dividers is that you can control them when making tight turns around curves like those on a gun holster. You can vary the width of the line simply by changing the angle you are holding the dividers or just adjust them manually. Some leathers like alligator and calfskin will not take this method at all and you will have to crease them with heat. Hot creasing is done with a number of tools. You can use a single edge creaser, for example, which is just a flat blade and comes in a variety of different widths. Some just have a single blade but most have a shoulder guide on one side that runs on the edge of the leather, allowing the creaser blade to maintain the same distance from the edge of the leather much like a push beader. If the creaser blade is too wide you might take a file and shape the blade down to make it smaller to suit the piece. The most common way to heat the creaser is with an alcohol lamp or a propane torch. Any heat source will do as long as you achieve the correct temperature—be careful not burn the leather. You will need to test the creaser on scrap leather to make sure the temperature is right for
24 DECEMBER 2015 SHOP TALK!
the leather you are working with. The creaser will cool down as you glide along the edge so reheating at intervals is required. This may take some practice to get the feel for keeping even heat and pressure as you go along. Sometimes you just need the hint of a delicate line to make the work stand out. We have several old creasers that lay a beautiful line and you wouldn’t believe your eyes when the job is done.
WHERE DO I FND A CREASER? In working with leather for over 40 years now I have collected several very nice old creasers and use them daily. We recently purchased an electric hot creaser from CampbellRandall. Using the electric creaser gives us total control for the perfect temperature with an adjustable thermostat. Simply feed the leather
through the machine and guide it along the adjustable fence. Proleptic is always digging up very nice old creasers and I hear they are working on a new hot creaser that is coming soon. Take a look in your favorite
leather catalog and you will be sure to find something that suits the bill for your work. Pinnell Custom Leather P.O. Box 808, Crozet, VA 22932 wwww.pinnellcustomleather.com
Editor’s Note: We’ve recently developed a prototype for a hot creaser that will be heated with butane and come in two sizes. The tool has an automatic start button and heat control. Stay tuned to Shop Talk! for information about its new line of thermal tools for use with leather and coated webbing.
SHOP TALK! DECEMBER 2015 25
26 DECEMBER 2015 SHOP TALK!
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Roundup Recap by JERILYN MARTIN, GENERAL MANAGER, SHOP TALK! The 27th Bootmaker Roundup, hosted by Eddie and Kathy of Kimmel Boot Co., was held at the MPEC in Wichita Falls, TX, this past October 1st and 2nd. Being this was my first trip to Texas, and to the Roundup, I enjoyed every minute of it. There was so much to absorb in just two days’ time. The one thing that caught my attention was the number of folks walking around with their pants tucked into their boots. The number of big hats that walked through the door was almost matched by the belt buckles that seemed to be the size of dinner plates. Fifty vendors were all set up for the show and the wonderful smell of leather filled the 20,000 sq. ft. show room floor. The flow of traffic was very steady for both days of the show. C-Loy’s Leather was one of the many busy leather booths,
and The Leather Machine Co. was moving machines out of the showroom floor while the Kimmel Boot Co. nearly sold out of all the new thread line they now carry in eighty bright colors. After thirty years in the business with Charles Hardtke Inc., Loy, of C-Loy’s Leather, decided in January of 2015, to continue providing customers with the same great leather and customer service he learned at Hardtke. Thirty years ago, Loy claims he knew nothing about the leather industry. With a warehouse position, Charles gave Loy the opportunity to learn the trade. Loy said, “Mr. Hardtke was a great example to follow and within two years, I learned everything I needed to know about the different types of leather.” Since January, business has been great and he has finally nailed down all of his top notch leather suppliers. Loy now carries leather in a multitude
of colors, including bright shades of reds and blues and offers cow, buffalo, elephant, and goat. Other new vendors for the 2015 show included Solar Leather which is based out of the Dallas area, Silver Designs who works as a distributor for Hansen Silver, and International Sheepskin & Leather from California that had smaller sheepskin prices starting at $20 each. Solar Leather started out in a dirt track race car garage making purses. There are two sides of the business for Solar Leather. One side offers custom products that are created one at a time, by one person from start to finish. The other side of the business provides equipment, supplies and training for all of the Cowboy Machines. They will be expanding their sales floor to offer additional shop supplies including baskets for holding leather and a variety of hand tools.
Tandy Leather was the center of attention on the show room floor as they literally took up the whole middle of the event center layout, bringing in everything from needles to books, and racks and rolls of hides. Their assorted hair-on calfskins were popular and came in a variety of colors and patterns. Skins averaged between 4 and 6 sq. ft. and range in price from $35 to $65 each. Jim and Marlene McGill of JM Boot & Saddle had their booth full of supplies from their shop. Boot lasts were selling for $20 a pair. Jim’s saddle school was the second
28 DECEMBER 2015 SHOP TALK!
largest in the US in the late 60’s, and word has it that Jim wishes to retire soon. At the Emporia State University booth, I was fascinated by Dale Bass, who was creating a custom grip for a 1911 pistol on the GRS Tool that is manufactured by Glendo, LLC. Having spent a lot of years in the spur business, Dale has shifted his engraving business to guns. Glendo, LLC collaborated with Emporia State University in Kansas to provide a studio with GRS Tools for the Engraving Arts Program which opened to students in 2014. ESU is currently the only accredited University to offer a full four year Bachelor of Arts degree in engraving. The program teaches everything from gold inlays and deep relief to jewelry, and pistol accessories. One of their ten instructors is Jeremiah Watt who began his saddle making and tack manufacturing business in 1976. Paul with Leather Wranglers had many onlookers while he was demonstrating how using a sheet of glass instead of stone can actually help to protect your knives. If you are in need of exotic hides, Van Amburg Leathers would definitely have you covered – what a selection! In addition to all the beautiful leather available there were also stamps, tools, knives, buckles, conchos, and even jewelry on display. Heico Fastners had bundles of bins filled with every style Dale Bass creating a custom grip for a 1911 pistol on the GRS Tool that is manufactured by Glendo, LLC.
of nail, button, tack, and specialty adornments you could imagine while Weaver Leather offered many additional hardware options, including buckles, rings, snaps, and saddle and harness hardware. Weaver also offers the entire line of Horse Shoe Brand hardware from Jeremiah Watt, longtime saddlemaker and engraver. Robert Beard with Pro-Series Tool had a display of stamps and also offered a tooling seminar on Friday. Silver Designs had many hand engraved items from Hansen Western Gear. Hight and Sons Saddlery were in attendance both days of the show, and this is a pair of Jerry’s old boots that he made into a purse for his wife. He removed the uppers and created a circular bottom and finished it off
with straps through the holes. Now that’s UP-cycling. I know what I want when my boots get worn out. SHOP TALK! DECEMBER 2015 29
Save 15% HURRY!! SALE ENDS 12/18/2015 Cowboy Boots
Dictionary of Leatherworking Tools c. 1700-1950
by Tyler Beard with photos by Jim Arndt: paperback, 320 pp. By the same duo that did the original Cowboy Boot Book and then Art of the Boot. This effort is every bit as good. A must for boot collectors & boot lovers. Note: This book measures 6” x 6”. 500 color photos. Was $15.95
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: $13.55 English Saddle Repair
SALE PRICE: $31.90
• Disassembling the Saddle • Replacing Billets • Fixing a Broken Tree • Sewing on Panels • And More Repairs You Can Do Was $21.50 52 pp.
Artistic Leather of the Arts and Crafts Era
By Daniel Lees, 272 pp. Hardback. Historical information on individual artists and manufacturers. Includes 540 color photos of leather objects made from 1900-1929. Was $69.00
SALE PRICE: $18.30
SALE PRICE: $58.65
United States Military Saddle
Encyclopedia of Knots and Fancy Rope Work
by Randy Steffen: paperback, 158 pp. Traces the development of the McClellan saddle. Covers all models and variations. Great reference book. Was $24.95
By Raoul Graumont and John Hensel, 4th edition, hard cover, 689 pp. This is the reference for any and all knots that have ever been tied on land or sea. Splicing also discussed.
SALE PRICE: $21.20
Was $39.95
Cowboy Collectibles & Western Memorabilia
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
with Revised Price Guide by Robert W.D. Ball & Ed Vebell: soft cover, 157 pp. Color throughout. Find artifacts essential to life in the Old West. Cover rifles, pistols, saddles, clothing, boots, hats and gun rigs. A wonderful book that makes the era come alive! Was $29.95
SALE PRICE: $10.65 Buckaroo Boots
SALE PRICE: $25.45
Hardcover. 128pp. Color 7 1/4” x 7 1/4” Boots and the kids who wear them. Plain • Fancy • and Really Cute Was $14.95
Saddles
by Russell H. Beatie, hard cover, 391 pp. An eclectic & interesting collection of information about saddles of all types, past and present. Discusses the history and development of each part of the saddle. Evolution of saddles is traced from prehistoric times to present. Sidesaddles also featured along with English and American Cavalry saddles. Photos are generally poor quality but are plentiful & depict interesting & unique historical saddles and other riding accessories. Was: $75
SALE PRICE: $63.75
SALE PRICE: $33.95
SALE PRICE: $12.75 Making a Halter/Bridle:
A Step-by-Step Guide
36 pp. Was $22.50
SALE PRICE: $19.15
Ph 828.505.8474 Fax 828.505.8476 P.O. Box 17817 shoptalk@proleptic.net Asheville, NC 28816 www.proleptic.net
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Basic Leathercrafting Soft cover; 184 pp., Basic leathecrafting, perfect for beginners. Dozens of color pictures. Step- by-step instructions. Was $24.95
SALE PRICE: $21.10
Book Sale
30 DECEMBER 2015 SHOP TALK!
MADE IN USA
For free catalog please contact us: 125 Jersey St. Harrison NJ 07029 Phone: 973-483-3232 Email: cso@csosborne.com www.csosborneleathertools.com SHOP TALK! DECEMBER 2015
31
NUTRA-GLO™ Nutritional Feed Supplement for Horses, Ruminants, Dogs and Poultry (Liquid Products)
Charley and Sandy Ridley of Charley Ridley Turf Tack stopped by to say hi, and I got a private tour of their traveling shop. Charlie took a car hauler and turned it into his mobile tack shop and visits race tracks all over to do repairs on the spot. What a great way to expand the business. Next year’s event will be held October 7-8. Hope to see y’all there.
hoice The 1st C dre ds of
n ent of hu Supplem Hor s e O w n er s , s! to d ay ’s & Tr a d er Tr ain er s
Contact Information: C-Loy’s Leather – 12528 Sun Empress Drive, El Paso, TX 79938. (915) 239-9102 Charley Ridley Turf Tack – 9515 N E 63rd, Spencer, OK 73084. (405) 414-5362
Shop Owners...
Emporia State University (Jeremiah Watt) - 1 Kellogg Circle, Emporia, KS 66801
Supply your customers with one of the finest horse feed supplements on today’s market!
GIST Silversmiths – 4385 Pleasant Valley Road, Placerville, CA 95667. (530) 644-8000
“Call for wholesale prices”
Glendo, LLC – 900 Overlander Road, Emporia, KS 66801. (620) 343-1084
We Supply all Literature!
Heico Fasteners – P.O. Box 2905, Hickory, NC 28603. (828) 261-0184 Hight and Sons Saddlery – 101 County Road 104, Carthage, TX 75633. (903) 220-3680
— Runs $8-$10/horse/mo —
International Sheepskins & Leather – 6021 Scott Way, Commerce, CA 90040. (323) 588-1818
Approved Organic d Poultry Dairy an Available s ct u Prod
JM Custom Boot & Saddle – 22602 Coriander Drive, Magnolia, TX 77355. (281) 252-3374 Kimmel Boot Co. – 2080 County Road 304, Comanche, TX 76442. (325) 356-3197 Leather Machine Co. – 2141 E Philadelphia Street, Ontario, CA 91761. (866) 962-9880 Leather Wranglers, Inc – 6204 El Toro Place NW, Albuquerque, NM 87120. (505) 269-8563
Discover Your Herd’s Maximum Potential! Dealer orders shipped same day! ✯✯ 30 days same as cash!
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Pro-Series Tools – 36 Road 5243, Farmington, NM 87401. (505) 632-7039 Silver Designs – 18273 S. 27th West Avenue, Mounds, OK 74047. (918) 827-7576 Solar Leathers – 2837 Galleria Drive, Arlington, TX 76011. 817366-8105
For more information contact:
Sunrise Supply LLC. P.O. Box 104 Winesburg, OH 44690
866 • 704 • 2374
32 DECEMBER 2015 SHOP TALK!
Tandy Leather Factory – 1900 SE Loop 820, Bldg B, Ft. Worth, TX 76140. (817) 872-3210 Van Amburg Leathers – 143 Cedar Street, Blackfoot, ID 83221. (208) 785-0800 Weaver Leather, LLC – P.O. Box 68, Mt. Hope, OH 44660. (330) 674-7548
Boot Contest Results
INTERMEDIATE DRESS CLASS CHASE DEFOREST (Not in attendance to accept award.)
DRESS CLASS BRIAN THOMAS
WORKING COWBOY MIKE ALLRED
BEST SHOP BOOT TEX ROBIN
There were a total of forty pairs of boots entered into this year’s contest, which included new Intermediate classes for those makers who are just out of the Journeymen category. The Journeymen class allows entries from anyone who has made less than fifteen pairs of boots. The Intermediate classes included Dress Class, Top Stitching, and Working Cowboy. Mike Vaughn said he hopes to see more entries into the Intermediate categories next year, so that everyone can have a fair chance of competing. Winner of Upper class categories were awarded silver buckles that were provided by GIST Silversmiths. Mike Vaughn was the emcee and presented each of the winners with their awards. Approached by a couple of key saddle makers who offered to help head up the contest, Kathy Kimmel says she is very excited at the prospect of being able to reintroduce the Saddle Makers Contest for 2016.
THE JOURNEYMEN TY MAY
TOP STITCHING “SMITTY” OF BLUCHER BOOT CO.
MASTERS AL REYNOLDS SHOP TALK! DECEMBER 2015 33
Save 15%
Book Sale Cowboys Complete Saddle Making
The Basics of Saddle Fit 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
“The best saddle making book written to date.” by John Hopper. Spiral bound. 360 pp. 100’s of Pictures, Patterns & Measurements, Step-by -Step Instructions, Western Saddles, Hunting Equipment, Halters, Bridles, Hobbles, Chaps, Breast Collars, Pack Equipment, and more. Was $44.00 SALE PRICE: $37.40
SALE PRICE: $18.65 Halter Making: A Step by Step Guide
How to Make Whips
by Ron Edwards: hard cover, 166 pp. Contains detailed instructions on making everything from a basic 8-strand whip to bullwhips, snake whips, and whips made from precut lace. Includes instructions on plaiting names in whips & using plaiting designs for whip handles. Was $24.95
16 pp. booklet which gives detailed, step-by-step instruction on how to make two styles of a horse halter. Instructions for both flat throat latch and a rounded throat latch. There are also size charts for making a pony, yearling, cob, horse, and stallion size halter. Specs for both styles of halters are given. Was $16.50
SALE PRICE: $14.00
SALE PRICE: $21.20
Horses, Hitches, and Rocky Trails
Making Leather Knife Sheaths, Vol. 1
By Joe Black, 128 pp. Referred to as the packer’s bible. Written in the language of the West, it is a complete and often humorous presentation of the method of packing horses into the wilderness. Amplified by the brilliant drawings of artist Joe back, the book is for both the amateur and professional packer. Was $12.95
Spiral bound, 142 pp. Color, beginner to intermediate, four projects, patterns, teaches excellent leather working techniques. Was $25.00
SALE PRICE: $11.00
SALE PRICE: $21.25
Handmade Leather Bags & Accessories
Making Leather Knife Sheaths, Vol. 2
Soft cover, 112 pp. Color, beginner to intermediate, basic bag design, 27 projects, many styles, many patterns. Was $20.00
From basic leather working techniques to professional tips to make your project its best. 144 pp, 300 photos and diagrams, extensive step-by-step instructions. Was $25.00
SALE PRICE: $17.00 Bags
Soft cover, 384 pp. Color, pictoral history of handbags from 1550 to present, many mediums, wonderful source book. Was $35.00
SALE PRICE: $29.75
SALE PRICE: $21.25 The Art of the Western Saddle
Highlights the work of great traditional and contemporary saddle makers. Was $52.00
Ph 828.505.8474 Fax 828.505.8476 P.O. Box 17817 shoptalk@proleptic.net Asheville, NC 2015 28816SHOPwww.proleptic.net 34 DECEMBER TALK!
PROLEPTIC, Inc.
SALE PRICE: $44.20
HURRY
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SALE ENDS 12/18/2015
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SHOP TALK! DECEMBER 2015 35
The Fine Art and Jewelry of Olive Parker What does a hazardous waste consultant in Chicago with a degree in business and an infatuation with Welsh ponies do for a second career? Become a fine leather artist in Montana, of course.
by JENNIFER FULFORD, EAST COAST BUREAU CHIEF
Perhaps Olive Parker’s fascination with the West can be blamed on her aunt who bought her a pony when she was a dreamy-eyed child in upstate New York. “I got bucked off,” Parker admits. But she got back on Sparky and “rode the hair off
that pony.” Getting thrown may have been good preparation for her second career. In only a few years, Parker has become accustomed to the ups and downs of launching herself as a high end artist on the Western design scene. It has its own set of challenges. “One of the biggest things that I benefitted from is when I learned not to think in terms of my own pocketbook, of what I could afford,” Parker says from her new studio on her ranch near Stevensville, MT. “I would say, ‘Gosh, I would never spend $1,600 for a pair of earrings.’ But it’s not about me or my budget or living expenses. It’s about the people I’m trying to reach. To many of them, they don’t care what the price is.” Parker, 55, is doing her best to crack into a high end market for custom Western influenced functional art. She makes a line of jewelry and home accessories made from leather. The fine in her “fine” art is no misnomer. 36 DECEMBER 2015 SHOP TALK!
She skives and tools 3 oz. leather from Hermann Oak into earrings until they look like feathers. Recently, her work gained accolades at the pinnacle of shows—the Western Design Conference held annually in Jackson Hole, WY. She won the Peoples’ Choice Award in 2012, a $4,000 prize, for a pair of earrings and matching necklace, deceptively made of leather. “The judges couldn’t find my entry, and they were judging the leather category, so they were supposed to be leather experts,” she says. “They kept walking past my entry and saying, ‘That’s not leather, that can’t be it.’ They had to go get the event manager and she took them to my pedestal and said, ‘Yes, this is leather.’” This kind of recognition seemed like a fairytale from the year prior. She had traveled to the show in 2011 to participate as an observer. She took a bus with sixty artists from Montana who were participating in the Montana Artrepreneur Program (MAP). MAP helps artists learn business skills and branding. Through MAP, she had to create a business plan, cards, high resolution pictures, and a video to promote her artwork. It helped that she already had a business degree from DePaul University. On her first trip to the Western Design Conference, she received encouraging feedback on her portfolio and found a few clients. The next year, she entered the show’s highly competitive contest for functional Western themed art—and won. “I was on cloud nine,” she says.
Parker’s signature jewelry style is dyed leather, sapphires, and precious metals. She’s also creating leather table runners, leather frames, and bracelets. Largely selftaught, she picked up leather working as a young adult and then met Alan Dewey in 1979 while they both worked for a horse trainer in Florida. Dewey, who just retired as one of the featured saddle makers at Hamley’s Western Store in Pendleton, OR, refined her skills. Thirty years later, she still relies on him for advice. “If I could only be as creative and consistent and clean as his carving,” she says. “I think Alan is a really great artist, although he would disagree. He’ll say that he’s not an artist.” Parker herself was more of a horse enthusiast than an artist when she first settled in Chicago after working in Florida. Because of her love of ponies, starting with Sparky, she boarded several in unincorporated
areas in the Chicago suburbs. She raised and rode Welsh ponies and competed as a carriage driver with a team of horses. Her day job in healthcare administration evolved into many different projects, one of which was to set up a medical waste incinerator. From there, she became a hazardous waste consultant. All the while, she nurtured her leather artistry. After too many years in the city, Parker came to a crossroads. Her marriage dissolved and she became primary parent of her two young children. She began searching for a more fulfilling lifestyle, and her compass pointed west. Her cross-country relocation included hauling nine Welsh ponies to Stevensville, a small Montana town on the Western border of Idaho, where she finally settled. Her ranch includes a modest home, her studio, a barn, adjacent field, and sev-
eral free range ducks and chickens. (Huey Lewis lives in the neighborhood, which in Montana can span many, many acres.) The ponies are
ther Ano ook! LeatherCrafted: B A Simple Guide to Creating New Uncoventional Leather Goods Paperback, 127 pp. For the beginner, but contains interesting approaches to decorating and finishing that more experienced leather workers might enjoy, including the use of wood burners on leather.
SALE!
$1 9 .55 +S/H
REG. $23.00
Chapters on Techniques & 10 Projects Covers: Keychains, Cuffs, Belts, Pouches, Wallets, Covers, Cases, Bags, etc. • Very Basic Construction •
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! DECEMBER 2015 37
3024 County Road 160 Millersburg, Ohio 44654
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38 DECEMBER 2015 SHOP TALK!
her pride and joy though she’s reluctantly looking to half the size of the herd from a baker’s dozen. Now that her kids are almost grown, she’s made more time to focus on her art. This year, she spent the summer attending several outdoor shows and finding her niche market. She says she had great response at the Coeur d’Alene’s Art on the Green in Idaho and has applied to attend the Cowboy Christmas Show in Las Vegas. She also has experimented with products in lavish resorts and casinos and currently is selling goods at Triple Creek Ranch in Darby, MT. She says she’s good at chatting up customers and explaining how she work which involves panning for sapphires in a nearby mine. She travels a treacherous logging road twice a year to go to the best sapphire mine in Montana. Her customers love to hear about it, and her enthusiasm shines through when she digs into her gem bags on her work bench. She likes to spend time leather working every day, but her ponies and irrigating their pasture twice a day interrupt her schedule. She’s learned to set her prices based on the time she spends on her entire operation, not just the handiwork. She can make a pair of earrings in two hours, but it takes another two to catalog, inventory, package, photograph, and prep for the next show. For the time being, her base price for earrings is $130. “I think my biggest problem has been pricing because I kind of came at it from that leather crafter’s mentally—of setting up a booth and selling things cheap,” she says. “When you do that, you don’t have any extra money left over to do things to further your business—go to trade shows or go to the Western Design Conference. It’s expensive. If you want to really be out there at the good venues where there are people who can afford to buy your work, then you have to spend the money to get there.” To see more of Olive Parker’s work, check www. MontanaLeatherDesigns.com. To reach her, call (406) 381-0284 or write Olive@MontanaLeatherDesigns.com.
SHOP TALK! DECEMBER 2015 39
CABIN BRANCH TACK SHOP, CENTER OF EQUESTRIAN LOCALE There are horse people and then there are people who aren’t. The Warrens of south central North Carolina are definitely horse people.
by JENNIFER FULFORD, EQUESTRIAN REPORTER
They retired to a horse farm, have traveled the world to ride horses in exotic places, and, though they didn’t need the income, bought a tack shop in well-known equestrian sports destination—Southern Pines, NC. Fox hunting, jumping, Olympic riders—they’re all here.
“It’s been fun,” says Don Warren, patriarch of the family and co-owner of Cabin Branch Tack Shop in the historic downtown (see pic of Don and daughter-in-law Trish. When they relocated to Southern Pines about fifteen years ago, Perci, his wife for more than four decades, told him: “There’s no reason to die. We’ve found heaven.” Perci, 79, a horse lover since childhood, and Don, 80, still ride every day. Cabin Branch Tack Shop is a low key but serious store. Serious because this is serious horse country. Competitive equestrian rid40 DECEMBER 2015 SHOP TALK!
ing is king in Southern Pines and neighboring Pinehurst, which has also hosted golf’s US Open. Expansive, picturesque horse farms surround the area and date back to the 1930’s because of the region’s ideal climate and sandy soil, easy for riding. The area is called the Carolina Sandhills. It is also halfway between New York and Wellington, FL, havens for English riding enthusiasts. The Warrens, originally from New York, met in Chapel Hill in the ‘60’s back when Don was studying to be a doctor. He practiced and taught cranio-facial medicine at the University of Carolina-Chapel Hill up until 2000. At no time in his life had owning a tack shop been a goal. But it was Perci’s love of horses that changed their lives. She bought their first horse as soon as Don graduated from med school. Now, on their farm near town, they have stables for eleven. Buying Cabin Branch was an extension of their love of riding. They purchased the store in 1995, and eventually bought the only other tack shop in town, which has been absorbed into the single location downtown where Cabin Branch been operated for more than fifty years.
“Good leather goods will last. If you take care of it, it lasts for years. But someone might buy a shirt one year and, by the next year, they want something else to ride in.” “It seemed to be the thing to do in this town,” Perci says. “It came up for sale and I said, ‘You know, we should buy that. That’s what this town is all about—horses.’” Cabin Branch is the only dedicated tack shop within seventy miles of this horse epicenter, also the home to the 250 acre Carolina Horse Park and six-time Olympic medalist Mike Plumb, one of their customers. Cabin Branch is a full service store housed in two side-by-side retail spaces on Broad Street. The Warrens also have a working leather repair workshop in the basement. Altogether, the footprint is 6,000 sq. ft. By itself, the tack shop downstairs has a reputation that may be even grander than the store, due to its affable founder, the late Sam Bozick. His protege, James Alford, is living up to the legacy (see sidebar, Al-
ford Under One Roof). Bozick ran the workshop for decades and was known about town and around the East Coast and the South as a friendly master craftsman for all things leather, particularly saddles. The store sells the best brands on the market to meet the needs of a sophisticated customer base. Many of the riders in town compete at amateur and professional levels, so Trish Warren, the store’s manager and the owners’ daughter-in-law, stocks the shelves with Ariat, Sergio Grasso, Stubben, Pessoa, and similar high-end brands. English saddles run from $1,500 to $3,000, new. Very little bling shows up on display at Cabin Branch since customers ride English excusively. Expect to see tweed jackets and no tooling on saddles or belts. Shoppers here are competing in traditional threeday eventing, hunting, and jumping.
The fox hunting season in Southern Pines starts on Thanksgiving Day. The shop also sends out a mobile unit to events about once a month, mainly in the Research Triangle area (Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill) an hour away. Both in the store and on the road, apparel is a big seller. “Good leather goods will last. If you take care of it, it lasts for years. But someone might buy a shirt one year and, by the next year, they want something else to ride in,” Trish says. She’s fairly confident of their market, and within a stretch of three hours one afternoon, the store sees a steady stream of customers, both men and women. Competition from the Internet doesn’t faze Trish much because they stock items that appeal to discerning buyers. “We find on a whole that we try to carry lines that hold their price fair
Beiler’s Mfg. & Supply Manufacturing address 290 S. Groffdale Rd. Leola, PA 17540 (717) 656-2179
Main Office & WarehOuse 3025 Harvest Dr. 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.
SHOP TALK! DECEMBER 2015 41
42 DECEMBER 2015 SHOP TALK!
Custommade Knives & Tools for Leatherworkers
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ALFORD UNDER ONE ROOF Underneath Cabin Branch Tack Shop in Southern Pines, James Alford, 64, spends his mornings and afternoons working leather. He might be working on a saddle, a new belt, a handbag, boot repair. It’s all done in the workshop started by revered leather craftsman Sam Bozick. “I’m thinking I was about 30,” Alford recalls of his first days with Bozick. Long before then Bozick worked in the same workshop for different owners and then later worked for the new owners, the Warrens. He was a character that Alford came to know as a friend and mentor. They worked together for about twenty-five years. “We went all over the country,” Alford says. “With Sam, he was a horseman, and he was in the saddle business. His parents came from Poland. And so he knew the business. Everybody knew Sam Bozick. We used to go north, south to Georgia. He knew people everywhere. We did a lot of saddle repair.” The 600 or so square feet of shop space is a true leath-
44 DECEMBER 2015 SHOP TALK!
er worker’s haven. Racks of rolled leather, three vintage sewing machines, work benches, odd and ends, and draws full of buckles all surround the bench where Alford spends most of his days standing and sitting on the job. A variety of projects cross his bench. One afternoon this fall he greets a customer who wants a leather dog collar and leash. Within a half hour, another customer arrives with his wife’s handbag which is missing a fastener. Within seconds, Alford locates a match from a cardboard box of parts beneath a table behind him. He fixes it on the spot, a repair that lasts fewer than three minutes. He always takes time to do work as it comes in, if he can, and to talk with the customers that join him downstairs at Cabin Branch. He’s not easily flustered or overwhelmed. Alford loves his work. The main project today is rebuilding an English saddle. The metal frame inside the tree broke, and Alford had a replacement part fabricated at a local metal shop. He’s fashioning the new tree to match the shape of the broken one. He often repairs saddles— padding, skirting, and
everything else. It’s more affordable for his customers than buying a new one, most of the time, and the result is as good as new. New saddles are nice, he says, but why buy new one when a repair will suffice and save thousands? “By the time I get ‘em back together, they’ll last for years, and they’ll still have their value,” he says. Alford has been working with leather since he was 14. He first started as an apprentice on the other side of town for a saddle maker named E.J. Schmeltzer who had a shop that’s since closed. Alford spent about fiften years learning the leather trade before Schmeltzer passed away. It was the right time to move on, so that’s when he went to work for Bozick. Bozick, who died in 2010, learned leather trades in the horse country of Aiken, SC, and Southern Pines. He and his brother, Frank, owned several tack related businesses up and down the East Coast. Bozick, whose name stays on the workshop door inside Cabin Branch, was the consummate gentleman/salesman. His obit described his people skills as legendary. From the Moore County Pilot: “Sam has become somewhat of a legend in Moore County. He was always helping people, many times repairing tack for folks and taking no money if he knew the customer really couldn’t afford it. Sam always had kind words for every person he encountered. He had an amazing smile that he shared every day. His mission was to make every person feel like his number one customer or friend.” Alford shares those characteristics. He’s quick with a smile, an easy conversationalist, and wants to do the right thing by his customers.
across the board,” she says, “so that I’m the same price as anyone on the Internet, and that works for us. Our market is a little upper end. We have an educated market.”
“I hate for something to come back. I just take care of the problem the first time,” he says.
The Warrens have a competitive edge because they’ve focused on horses and riding for as long as they’ve owned the store (20 years). Perci has bred, trained, boarded, and competed. Don has helped birth more than two dozen horses. Both have held positions with state and international riding groups. He is a past president of the American Equestrian Trade Association (www.aeta. us). She held a role for many years with the North Carolina Dressage and Combined Training Association.
Retirement isn’t in Alford’s vocabulary. He likes to keep his hands busy. He kind of wishes he had a helper to train, but so far no one has come in who shows much interest in the work. “It’s not hard,” he says. “People just don’t want to learn the detail stuff.” In good health, Alford doesn’t mind the hours spent by himself in the shop. Judging from the look of his bench and the traffic from upstairs at Cabin Branch Tack Shop, his workday is never boring. To reach James Alford at Cabin Branch Tack Shop in Southern Pines, NC, email cabinbranchtack@ gmail.com. Also, call (800) 358-7123.
In the last forty years, almost 5,000 acres near Southern Pines have been preserved for riding by the WalthourMoss Foundation. The Warren’s farm abuts the land. All they have to do is saddle up and follow the horizon. To contact Cabin Branch Tack Shop, email: cabinbranchtack@gmail.com. The website is www.CabinBranch.com and the phone is (910) 692-8241 or (800) 358-7123. Visit the store at 232 SW Broad St., Southern Pines, NC 28387. SHOP TALK! DECEMBER 2015 45
DEC EMB E R 2015
MORE NEW BOOKS As we reported last issue, we have reprinted To Handmake a Saddle which is now available. It’s a very handy book for people wanting more information about repairing and building English saddles. It’s a classic. Cost is $14.95 plus SH. Now we have Basic Leathercrafting. It’s the perfect book for beginning leather workers. The book is $24.95 plus SH and 184 pp. Dozens of pictures and step-by-step instructions. Covers terminology, basic leather working techniques, pattern making, tools, hand sewing, lacing, belt making, stamping, dyes and finishes, and more. Good basic book. Then there is The Complete Book of Tanning Skins and Furs for $21.95 and 200 pp. It covers solutions and for formulae, instructions of tanning small animal skins, small furbearers, how to make buckskin, how to tan elk, bear, horse, goat, and cow. Even reptile leather!! To order, please contact: Proleptic,
News, Notes & Queries Inc., P O Box 17817, Asheville, NC 28816 (828) 505-8474 e-mail: shoptalk@proleptic.net.
MY BUYER’S GUIDE! 2016 Oh, boy—if you weren’t in last year’s buyer’s guide you have no idea how much business you’ve LOST! MISSED! GONE BEGGING! Gazillions of dollars’ worth! What a dummy you are! For as little as $189 you too can reach 16,000 shops, manufacturers, and retailers. And just who does that include you might well ask. Just about EVERY— *Tack shop in the US *Every saddle shop *Every harness shop *Every English saddle shop *Every Western store. Wow! So what are you waiting for, Jed? That’s a no-brainer. Give us a call today and reserve a spot: My Buyer’s Guide!, P O Box 17817, Asheville, NC 28817, (828) 505-8474, e-mail: info@mybuyersguide.net, www.mybuyersguide.net.
Jr. Gray Heads Home Junior Gray, 90, died Friday, November 6, 2015 in Dalhart, Texas. Alfred L. Gray, Jr. was born July 10, 1925, in Dalhart, TX, to Alfred L., Sr. and Jessie Dean (Bostick) Gray, raised in Dalhart. Junior was a saddle maker’s apprentice before joining the Navy during WWII and Korea. After he returned to Dalhart, he cowboyed for a number of ranches including the Beck and Matador Ranches and Reynolds Cattle Company before opening his saddle shop. Junior married Wilma Huntsinger in Dalhart on November 29, 1946, she died August 8, 2006. Jr. was a kindly soul, always a gentleman, and a pretty fair saddle maker. He’ll be missed by all that know him.
46 DECEMBER 2015 SHOP TALK!
WESTERN COLLECTABLES PUBLIC AUCTION Saturday January 9, 2016 @ 9am * 610 Shepherd Rd., Liberty, Mo. Sale will take place at the Earnest Shephard Memorial Youth Center. Lunch served.
Over 100 saddles - 600 bits and spurs - Western Memorabilia & Catalogs available at the sale of Waglers Leather Shop. 1940 Parade, 1936 Keystone Brothers, ½ seat G.W. Winn, Roy Rogers Pony, Garcia, Askew, Frazier, Porter Phoenix, Mueller, Collins & Morrison, Foss, Heiser, K.C., GL Brunk, Sam Whitney, JC Johnson, Military Saddles and many many more. Bits and Spurs by Garcia, Crockett, Beurmann, Anchor, Fleming, US Calvery and D. Crews Western Memorabilia including taps, pads, stirrups and bridles. NOTE: There are too many items available to list. Please visit www.auctionzip.com for pictures and up to date information for the auction. OWNER: Waglers Leather Shop – Bogard Mo. NORRIS AUCTION SERVICE -- COL. ED NORRIS: 417-296-3950 Terms of Sale: Cash, Check w/proper ID, or credit (with a 5% fee). Out of state buyers must have a letter of credit from their bank. No items will be removed until payment is settled. Not responsible for accidents, lost or stolen items. Statements made day of sale take precedence over any printed material.
SHOP TALK! DECEMBER 2015 47
48 DECEMBER 2015 SHOP TALK!
Best Quality • Great Service Over 30 Years Experience • BUFFALOS
• COW LININGS
• CALFS
• INSOLE BEND 8/9 & 9/10 BUFFED
• GOATS
Call, Write or Fax for our 2015 5 Catalog
12528 Sun Empress Dr. El Paso, TX 79938 Office (915) 239-9102 Cell (915) 373-3330 Email loycuellar@yahoo.com
• KANGAROO • TAURUS SHOULDER (BULL HIDE) GLAZE & OIL
• OUTSOLE BEND 10/11 NATURAL
Exotic Leathers are Special Order
SHOP TALK! DECEMBER 2015 49
Nylon Webbing
Thread
Medium and Heavy weight webbing ¾″- 1 ½″ Color matched nylon bonded thread 92-346
9415 W 300 S • Topeka, IN 46571• 260•593•0044 50 DECEMBER 2015 SHOP TALK!
MARK YOUR CALENDAR 2016! CUSTOM MADE TOOLS We got a call the other day from a gentleman needing a big slot punch for his holster work—something like 2 ½” x 1/4”. No problem. Call the folks at Texas Custom Dies, 400 Industrial Blvd., Ste. 102, Mansfield, TX 76063, (888) 755-9025, www.texascustomdies.com. That would cost around $75 plus SH. Well worth it!
FEBRUARY 4-6 Wickenburg Leather Show. Contact Hansen Silver at (800) 970-7391 or visit www.wickenburgleathertradeshow.com for all the details about attending or being an exhibitor.
ON THE MOVE AND REAL DEALS
FEBRUARY 26-28 16th Southwest Leather Workers Trade Show, Prescott, AZ. Hosted by Leather Crafters Journal. Contact: 222 Blackburn St., Rhinelander, WI 54501, (888) 289-6409, www.leathercraftersjournal.com
*Argent Express is celebrating 40 years of being in business and making silver conchos, rosettes, scarf slides, and pins. They have a new address: P O Box 117, Folsom, LA 70437, (209) 402-4430, e-mail: conchosmith@hotmail.com.
MAY 20-22 Rocky Mountain Leather Trade Show, Sheridan, WY. Hosted by Leather Crafters Journal. Contact: 222 Blackburn St., Rhinelander, WI 54501. (888) 289-6409, www.leathercraftersjournal.com.
*Little Bitty Farm at 222-A Ants Hill Rd., Bloomsburg, PA 17815, (570) 437-2126 is having an inventory reduction auction on January 16, 2016, including saddles, tack, harness pars, pads, antique tools, horse drawn farm equipment, etc. *Custom-B-Tack at 13 Davis Rd., Ethridge, TN 38456, has an EZ Strap Edger (2 or 4 side) in good shape for sale. Custom-B is also looking for a leather loop stapler to fit a Heritage foot press. Drop him a line if you can help and thanks!!
JUNE 15-16 Weaver Leather Consignment Auction. Contact: 2540 County Road 201, Millersburg, OH 44654, (800) WEAVER-1, www.weaverleather.com. OCTOBER 7-8 Custom Boot & Saddle Makers’ Roundup, Wichita Falls, TX. For all the details contact Kimmel Boot, 2080 County Road 304, Comanche, TX 76442, (325) 356-3197, www. bootandsaddlemakerstradeshow.com
LIABILITY INSURANCE IS A MUST HAVE If you don’t have it, stop what you’re doing, pick up the phone, and call your insurance agent NOW!!! You need the coverage for your business and your shop. It doesn’t cost much and it just might save your butt if you ever get a customer who wakes up one morning and decides to sue you. It happens. Call your agent and have him or her explain what it means, what it covers, why you need it, and what it costs. YOU WILL BE GLAD YOU DID.
1793 Old Gradyville Road • Columbia, KY 42728 • Stitchmaster 441 machines in 9", 16½" also 25" throat. • Parts in stock for all 441 machines. • 1508 NH 5
Embossing Dies & Machines
Over 50 different styles of embossing wheels Wholesale Makers of Mini Harness, Cruppers, Wholesale
ONLY
Same goes for fire insurance!
Carriage Harness, & Custom Show Harness
HANSEN
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 SHOP TALK! DECEMBER 2015 51
News, Notes & Queries
MADE IN GERMANY, BUT COMING THIS WAY by LIISA ANDREASSEN, STAFF WRITER
Oberwerth, a German manufacturer of high-end, handmade camera bags, is slowly making its way into the U.S. market from its new base in Atlanta, GA. The bags, which made in Germany, are already available on the U.S. market from selected brand retailers on the east and west coasts, and more are expected to follow. Oberwerth USA, Inc., was born in October, 2015. Product designer, Regina Immes, initially founded the brand in Koblenz, Germany, in 2013, and remarked that these bags will continue to be 100 percent handmade in her country. Her goal is to have these products and the company’s commitment to firstclass design and top craftsmanship be recognized on more of a global scale. “We wanted to be closer to our customer and to have the ability to ship from the U.S.,” Regina said. So, what does this mean for the Oberwerth brand? It means that its North American team, which consists of four people in sales and marketing, will now work closely together with a family run shop/group of craftsmen and women. In addition, they can coordinate the distribution of these handmade, sustainably manufactured camera bags throughout the U.S. and Canada. “Our passion for stunning design
and the finest German craftsmanship is impressing more and more customers in North America. We use only the very best materials, working with knowledge, love and care,” Regina said.
AWARD-WINNING DESIGNS Made from top quality leather and CORDURA®, Oberwerth bag designs have won distinguished awards that include the Best Gear Award of Popular Photography (POP) in 2014 and the prestigious Red Dot Award in 2015 where Jimmy Choo, owner of a British, high fashion house specializing in shoes, handbags, accessories and fragrances, was one of the top judges. Oberwerth won the POP Award with the “München” model, and the “Freiburg” model won the prestigious Red Dot Award for outstanding design quality.
RETAIL ONLY Currently, Oberwerth sells traditional camera bags through high end photography stores and in their online shop. They produce mainly to order and do not offer wholesale.
ture would make prices prohibitive for end users. Plus, we want to stay in close contact to our customers and like to get their feedback directly.” For more information, visit: http:// www.oberwerth.com. “We’re not big, but we’re sophisticated,” Regina said.
WHAT ELSE IS NEW? Regina says that they are also working to raise funds through a Kickstarter Campaign for a new launch, the “Kate”, a versatile and spacious, all-in-one designer bag. The fundraising goal is $25,000. The Kate can be used as: • • • • • •
A classic over-the-arm handbag A shoulder bag A messenger bag worn cross-body A clutch A camera bag A laptop bag
The München. Durable CORDURA® and high-quality leather protects the equipment against shocks, moisture or other external influences.
Why? Regina says the reason for this is simple. “We believe in quality products, craftsmanship, and we only use the finest materials. A wholesale struc-
LEFT TO RIGHT: Interior of the Oberwerth shop. / Full vegetable grain cow hide, naturally tanned and dyed. CORDURA® is waterproof as well as oil and dirt resistant.
52 DECEMBER 2015 SHOP TALK!
Neoprene Sheets Hook & Loop Fasteners Also Available • Laminated with Nylon, Lycra, Terry, UBL…etc. • Common uses: Wet Suits, Waders, Knee/Elbow Pads…etc.
• 6 Million Yards in Stock • Sizes from 3/8” to 6” • 30 Colors Available
• TPU Laminated Fabrics • Tricot Fabrics • Mesh Fabrics • Hot Melt Adhesive Films • Webbing, Buckles, Elastic, Zippers…etc
SALES REP WANTED IN SOME TERRITORIES
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.
5351 Oceanus Drive, Huntington Beach, CA 92649 Tel: 714-898-5989 • Fax: 714-894-8018 • E-mail: info@perfectex.com • www.perfectex.com
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
MOST IN STOCK MATERIALS ARE SHIPPED WITHIN 24 HOURS. MASTER CARD,*VISA,*DISCOVER & E-CHECKS
e l b n o C tz Collar
Ltd.
MAnUFActUReRS OF: All kinds of horse collars for work, pleasure, and show.
Also your source for quality
waisT beLTs made with USA leather.
Made & Sold Here!
Please call or write for a free catalog.
Coblentz Collar L.T.D.
3348 US Route 62 • Millersburg, Ohio 44654 Ph.: 330-893-3858 • Fax: 330-893-1166 Visa-Mastercard Accepted
Custom Made Collars
SHOP TALK! DECEMBER 2015 53
1967
Since
NEW AND IMPROVED Hame Bender • Adjustable blocks on top bar
Lasting Quality and Style Matte Finishes Many Colors
Easy Cleaning Easy Sewing Durable, Flexible
• Bends all hames from Buggy Hames to Stainless Steel Pulling Hames with ease A must for fitting your hames to the collar
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
54 DECEMBER 2015 SHOP TALK!
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
85263 Chupp ad 3.5x4.75 1
6/19/13 9:42 AM
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
WANTED: New subscribers from Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana. Now is the time to renew! Give us a call at (828) 505-8474, e-mail: shoptalk@ proleptic.net or visit www.proleptic.net. WANTED: Complete tool collections. Contact: Shop Talk!, P O Box 17817, Asheville, NC 28816, (828) 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. LOOKING FOR WHOLESALE OUTLET to sell leather belts and/or other handcrafted leather products. Contact: Dan D. Troyer, 10896 Rt. 28N, Brockway, PA 15824.
RE OUR CLASSIFIEDS A BEST BUY! ers
potential buy Reach 1,000’s of $26.50!! for as little as
MCMILLEN LONG ARM EMBOSSING MACHINE. CONSEW MOD 229 high post machine, Setup and in use. Call: (812) 744-3694, e-mail: MKHouge@yahoo.com FOR SALE: Exact Touch Edge Finisher painting bands. No seam. Exactly like the original. ¾” wide. These work great. $7/per set of 2. Made in USA. Contact: (812) 3456393. USED UNION LOCK SEWING MACHINES FOR SALE. All machines are in good working condition and have had regular maintenance. Contact Weaver Leather for more details at (800) 932-8371, ask for Allen Burkholder, ext. 223. FOR SALE: Union Lock Stitcher #6195. Good condition. Used very little for 25 years. $3,000 or make offer. Contact: Yoder’s Tack Shop, 30904 Perch Lake Rd., Evans Mills, NY 13637. FOR SALE: Union Lock Stitch. #6195. Good condition. Used very little for25 years. $3,000 or make offer. Contact: Yoder’s Tack Shop, 30904 Perch Lake Rd., Evans Mills, NY 13637. WHOLESALE NYLON HARNESS FOR SALE. Halters and nylon webbing. All sizes. Heavy weight in ¾”, 1”, 1 ¼”, 1 ½”, and 2” with pebble weave edge. Send for free catalog. Contact: Stauffer’s Harness Shop, 5940 Dry Bone Rd., Hillsboro, OH 45133. FOR SALE: Landis 6” hand crank leather splitter. Good condition, $700. Contact: Stauffer’s Harness Shop, 5940 Dry Bone Rd., Hillsboro, OH 45133. FOR SALE: Randall Edge Beveller with stand. Extra knives and wheels. Excellent condition. Contact: Christie Saddlery, Alvord, TX, (940) 427-3260. E-mail: lcox@ christiesaddlery.com. SHOP TALK! DECEMBER 2015 55
CLASSIFIEDS SINGER PATCHER 29-4 SEWING MACHINE. Good condition. Guaranteed to work. $400. Contact: Ruben Yoder, Yoder’s Collar Shop, 25090 County Hwy J66, Davis City, IA 50065, (641) 442-2517. HOLSTER BUSINESS FOR SALE: Prominent, reputable leather holster manufacturing company established in 1972. Owners wish to retire. For details, contact: donlbrown46@gmail.com. FOR SALE: Industrial Pfaff box stitching machine with stand and electric motor in working condition, $450. Standard River spot setter with stand. Fully automatic, 110v, excellent condition. Setup for 3/8” spots with ½” parts included. $2,000. Contact: Mud Creek Leather, LLC, 9415 W 300 S, Topeka, IN 46571, (260) 593-0044. LEATHER UNLIMITED. Quality wholesale leather distributor since 1970 including oak, deerskin, garment, rawhide, oiled cowhide, furs, and more. Quality leather goods, leather tools, black powder gear, all steel clicker and mallet dies. Complete Internet catalog at www. LeatherUnltd.com or call (800) 993-2889 for quality leather and friendly service from a USA family-owned and operated business. LIQUIDATING ENTIRE INVENTORY. 7 hvy. Duty sewing machines—Cobras, Artisan, Juki’s. 2 embossing machines. 12” USMC splitter. 12” Aperture band knife. 2 creasers. Singer 112 dbl. needle. 14” strap cutter. 3 Standard Rivet spot machines. 5 nylon hole burners. 2 chap machines. 5 cargo trailer container loads of saddles, bridles, halters, leads, etc. No reasonable offer refused. Contact: Ben Day, Western Specialties, 3106 Cedardale Rd., Mt. Vernon, WS 98174, (360) 708-4201. ARGENT EXPRESS CELEBRATING 40 YEARS of custom conchos, rosettas, scraf slides, and pins has moved. New address: P O Box 117, Folsom, LA 70437. Phone (209) 402-4430. Visit our eBay store at: Conchosmiths Argent Express, seller: quintasper or e-mail: conchosmith@hotmail.com. NEW ENGLAND LEATHER ACCESSORIES bargain prices: ballistic nylon, black, laminated to foam and short pile. Roll 60” x 50 yds. $250. Nylon thread #203 natural, $36 for 6 lbs. #69 golden brown $70 for 10 lbs. White 2-part gift boxes 11.75” x 8.5” x 2.5”, 150 pcs., 50 lbs., $35. Bobbins, box of 72, style A, golden brown, #46 nylon, 64 yds., $15. ALSO sewing machines, splitter, skiver, belt making, cutting dies, folder and binder attachmens. Call Terry (857) 636-9412, e-mail: terrylscheller@gmail.com. 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. 56 DECEMBER 2015 SHOP TALK!
(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. (R&B) FOR SALE: The Pro-Concho Turner: The only one in the U.S. Makes removal of decorative conchos a snap! Used with electric drill. Take the fuss and bother out of a difficult job with the Pro-Concho Turner! Saves time, makes money! Rubber gripper protects the concho and makes removal or installation easy. Only $29.00 plus $3.95 S&H, 6-inch steel shank, and rubber gripper. Ready to use! Contact: Proleptic, Inc., P.O. Box 17817, Asheville, NC 28816, (828) 505-8474, e-mail: shoptalk@proleptic. net. WHOLESALE HARNESS & SUPPLIES! Brahma web, PVC sheeting, PVC belting, nylon webbing, nylon thread and hardware. We manufacture a full line of synthetic harness parts. In stock for immediate shipping, including blinds, gig saddles, molded curved crowns, cruppers, winker stays, and lots of die cut parts, etc. Ask for your FREE catalog! Contact: Countryside Mfg., 504 S. Humbert St., Milton, IA 52570.
Cowboy Bits and Spurs by Joice I. Overton: hard cover, 160 pp. This book successfully combines “Working Cowboy” knowledge with “Cowboy Collectibles,” describing the actual usage, background, and value of cowboy bits and spurs, along with many other accessories. Reg. $39.95
Save 15%
SALE PRICE: $33.95
Restoring Vintage Western Saddles
Braiding Rawhide Horse Tack
by Alain Eon: Alain is one of the most foremost restorers of collectible saddles in the world. He shares all his secrets about how to restore worn out “dead” leather in his new 64-page book. His methods are practical and easy to understand. Reg. $48.50
180 drawings and photographs, the reader is shown every step of the process, beginning with a fresh cowhide, continuing through cutting strings and braiding, and ending with finished reatas, bosals, hobbles, or reins. Reg. 16.99
SALE PRICE: $14.44 Art of the Boot
by Tyler Beard, photographs by Jim Arndt: soft cover, 160 pp. Elegant presentation throughout. Instense focus on the boot makers’ craft. Lots of great background notes on the different boot makers included. Reg. $24.95
SALE PRICE: $21.20
Book Sale! All the Pretty Saddles By Nick Pernokass, 65 pp. Handy reference tool for buyers of new and used saddles by a professional saddle maker. Reg. $18.00
SALE PRICE: $15.30
Whips of the West by David W. Morgan: 155 pp, black & white. An illustrated history of American whip making. How the West was won with whips! Reg. $12.95
SALE PRICE: $11.00
SALE PRICE: $41.25
The Leatherworking Handbook by Valeri Michael: paperback, 120 pp. Great for most any leatherworker. Total of 10 projects from simple to advanced complete with instructions and patterns. Also gives some background and theory of leatherworking and discusses tools, techniques and construction methods. Reg. $19.95
PROLEPTIC, Inc. P.O. Box 17817 Asheville, NC 28816
SALE PRICE: $16.95
Ph 828.505.8474 Fax 828.505.8476 shoptalk@proleptic.net www.proleptic.net
HURRY!! SALE EN DS 12/18/2015 LeatherCrafted:
A Simple Guide to Creating Unconventional Leather Goods by Caitlin McNamara Sullivan, 127 pp., paperback. Chapters on Techniques & 10 Projects. Covers: Keychains, Cuffs, Belts Pouches, Wallets, Covers, Cases, Bags, etc. Reg. $23.00 SALE PRICE: $19.55
How to Establish Prices for the Saddlemaker or Leatherworker 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. Reg. $39.95 SALE PRICE: $33.95 SHOP TALK! DECEMBER 2015 57
CLASSIFIEDS 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.
The “Word of the Day” is: vicissitudes
FOR SALE: Pricing Guide: “How to Establish Prices for the Saddle Maker and Leather Worker.” Only $39.95 plus $4.50 S&H. Contact: (828) 505-8474. (12/12) FOR SALE: New and used Adler, Brother, Consew, Juki, Pfaff, Singer machines for sewing bio-plastic, canvas, 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) WWW.THELEATHERGUY.ORG for all your leather, tool, and supply needs. Friendly, helpful staff at (507) 9323795. (R&B) FOR SALE: Juki Pro 2000. Like new. On stand with clutch. Ready to use on line shaft. $4,200, Contact: G.R.T. Saddlery, 149 Chestnut Rd., Dayton, PA 16222. SHOP LIQUIDATION: Selling high quality harness and saddle making tools and equipment. Too much to list. Manitoba, Canada. Contact: amalt5@yahoo.com or (204) 444-3465.
BOOT & SHOE FOR SALE: Landis 12K. Clean, runs smooth. $1,800. Contact for photos. (406) 531-2589, e-mail: howard. knight@montana.com. ESTABLISHED 26 YEAR old business in San Antonio, TX. One man operation with inventory of apx. 350 pair top of the line all leather Western boots. Great boot repair business. Complete line of immaculate boot repair equipment. Could be expanded to include saddle repair. Sale includes website (www.shiplerboots. com) and company name. Guaranteed lease in current location for one year at rate of $650/month. Retiring. (866) 250-3350 or (210) 215) 9158 or e-mail: info@ shiplerboots.com. $150,000. FOR SALE: Landis 12L Aristocrat, Landis Line Finisher, Adler patching machine, Singer long arm patcher 29K, heel wheel by Auto Soler, Continental McKay stitcher; Singer tabe machine, lots of parts and shoe supplies. Would like to sell all together for $3,500 or best offer. Please call Kent From at (308) 249-3091, Sidney, NE 69162. 58 DECEMBER 2015 SHOP TALK!
North American Saddlery School
Gain the skills necessary to start your career as an educated, independent saddle fitter Learn to alter, build, reflock & repair saddlery to increase or develop your saddlery trade Start your training to become a Qualified Master Saddler or Bridle Maker
April 25th-29th, 2016 Level One Saddlery Level Two & Three Bridle Making April 29th– May 1st, 2016 SMS Intro to Saddle Fitting May 2nd-6th, 2016 HCS Bench & Onsite Repair & Adjustment Course Level Two & Three Saddle Making
Information & Applications
www.saddleryschool.com or info@saddleryschool.com or 717-294-6757
A Classic Back in Print O N LY AVA I L A B L E AT P RO L E P T I C
SALE!
$12.70
+S&H
REG. $14.95 (Wholesale pricing available.)
80 PAGES 18 CHAPTERS PHOTOS & TEMPLATES
Order your copy today!
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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
SAVE 15% Art and Craft of Leather
Leathercrafters of all experience levels will value the author’s presentation of history, techniques and information. This very well illustrated book explains the role leathercraft has played throughout history as well as discuss the various tanning methods. Full of non-traditional project ideas. Learn step-by-step how to make eight different projects. 160 pp.
SALE PRICE: $11.00 Floral Pattern Drawing for the Artistically Impaired
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 2000 & Al Stohlman Award Recipient 2007. Was $18.95
SALE PRICE: $24.65
Was $29
SALE PRICE: $16.10
Wheels Across America, Vol. 2
Encyclopedia of Rawhide and Leather Braiding 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 one 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
Hardback with dust cover. 134 pp. Color. Over 400 photos of historical carriages, wagons, hearses, stage coaches, commercial vehicles, and more. Chapters include: “Museums & Private Collections,” ”Manufacturers, Distributors, Dealers, Jobbers & Agents,” “Contemporary Craftsmen,” and “Carriage Art.” Was $40.00
SALE PRICE: $25.45
Fine Art of the West
SALE PRICE: $34.00
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
SE
T! BRIDLEWORK U O
O
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A Step-By-Step Guide BY ROBERT H. STEINKE
SALE PRICE: $63.75
SALE ENDS 12/18/2015 The Complete Book of Tanning Skins and Furs Solutions & Formulas. Step-by-Step Instructions, Small Animal Skins, Small Furbearers, Making Buckskin, Moose - Elk - Beaver - Raccoon, Tan Goat, Horse & Cow, Reptile Tanning. Soft cover; 200 pp. Was $21.95
SALE PRICE: $18.65
PROLEPTIC, Inc. P.O. Box 17817 Asheville, NC 28816
Bridlework: A Step-By-Step Guide CHAPTERS COVER:
Ph 828.505.8474 Fax 828.505.8476 shoptalk@proleptic.net www.proleptic.net
• • • •
Step-by-Step Instructions Tools & Supplies Needed Handstitching English Riding Bridle (different styles) • Driving Bridles • Halters
Was: $48.00
• Reins (different styles) • Accessories • Martingales • Nosebands • Schooling Aids • English Girths & Stirrup Leathers Softcover, 270 pp
SALE DECEMBER PRICE: $28.50 SHOP TALK! 2015 59
ADVERTISERS INDEX A. Lyons & Co., Inc.....................................21 American Leather Direct........................25 Beiler’s Mfg. & Supply..............................41 BioThane................................................. 3, 35 Bogle Greenwell Machinery Corp.........22 Booth & Co., Inc.........................................50 Bowden Saddle Tree....................................8 Brayer...............................................................9 Brodhead Collar Shop..............................17 Buckeye Blanket........................................17 Buckeye Engraving...................................43 Buckle Barn USA........................................20 Buena Vista Blankets..............................43 Buggy Builder’s Bulletin.............................9 C Loy’s Leathers........................................49 Campbell-Randall......................................38 Chino Tack...................................................41 Chupp Blacksmith Shop.........................54 Coblentz Collar...........................................53 C.S. Osborne & Co.....................................31 Danny Marlin Knives.................................43 Double K Leather Sales, LLC....................8 Fairview Country Sales...........................38 Fiebing Leather..........................................35 Fine Tool Journal...........................................8 George Barta Hide Co.................................8 Gfeller Casemakers, Inc.............................9 Goliger Leather Co....................................19 Hadlock & Fox Mfg. Co...............................5
Hansen Western Gear..................... 13, 51 Harness Hardware....................................50 Hastilow ......................................................58 Hawkeye Harness.....................................21 Hermann Oak..............................................26 Hide House..................................................19 Hillside Harness Hardware.....back cover International Sheepskin.........................42 J.M. Saddler, Inc.........................................47 Kalico Products..........................................51 Kelly-Larson Sales....................................43 Landis Sales & Service..............................9 Leather Crafters Journal........................37 Leather Machine Co., Inc., The................... ...........................................inside back cover Ludwig & Marglin Leather.......................17 Maine Thread Company..........................21 Mark Staton................................................22 Maverick Leather......................................20 Mid-River Sales..........................................54 Miller’s Wholesale Harness...................51 Mud Creek Leather...................................50 Mules and More.........................................54 N & A Harness Shop.................................19 Nettles.........................................................39 Nutra-Glo.....................................................32 Ohio Plastics Belting Co.........................54 Ohio Travel Bag...........................................53 Pecard Leather Care Company.............54 Perfectex Plus LLC...................................53
Proleptic........inside front cover, 23, 30, 34, 37 ................38, 42, 48, 49, 57, 58, 59, back cover Rapheal Sewing Machine/TechSew.......... ........................................................................ 13, 27 RJF Leather.................................................43 Sam Troyers...................................................9 Schwarz Productions...............................54 Shelton-Reynolds, Inc.............................22 Shetler’s Collar Shop...............................43 ShoTan.............................................................9 Small Farmer’s Journal............................21 Smoke & Fire Co...........................................9 Sorrell Notions...........................................43 Southstar Supply......................................50 Springfield Leather...................................21 Steel Stamps, Inc.....................................50 Sugar Valley Collar Shop.........................50 Sun Bias, Inc................................................53 Sweat Pad Shop................................ 42, 53 TechSew/Rapheal Sewing Machine.......... ........................................................................ 13, 27 Tennessee Tanning Company...............42 Texas Custom Dies...................................13 Toledo Sewing...............................................1 Troyer’s Harness Shop............................17 Troyer’s Rope Co........................................49 Wagler’s Leather Shop............................47 Weaver Leather.................................... 6, 17 Western Mule.............................................13
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Shop Talk! published by Proleptic, Inc. P.O. Box 17817 Asheville, NC 28816 (828) 505-8474 shoptalk@proleptic.net www.proleptic.net 60 DECEMBER 2015 SHOP TALK!
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