I bought a western saddle to refurbish and noticed that the leather on the saddle horn has ripped open, enough to show the metal underneath. The rip is in between the top and bottom thread, the rip basically cute the horn in half horizontally. I don't know if I should stitch it up or use another alternative. Any thoughts of what I should do?
6:52 hi there, what exactly are you doing here....seems you are pushing the stitches in....correct...? Why not use a hammer...? What edge burnishing sealant would you recommend...? Beautiful work sir, many thanks.
I'm using a blunt awl to push the threads in a bit, it helps even them out. It has to be done when the leather is damp. Because the top of the horn is curved it's hard to use a hammer to tap the threads. The other alternative is to run over it with an overstitch wheel. I just used water on this for burnishing the edges but sometimes I use saddle soap and sometimes beeswax. Thanks for your comment.
Hi Agar Great work , Can I ask why arent you using something like a Dremel with an appropriate Sized drill bit or a drill of some sort to make the holes , to make life easier for yourself?
A few reasons, the main one being that the drill makes a round hole that removes material, this weakens the leather. A properly shaped awl simply pierces a few of the leather fibers and pushes the rest aside, removing no material. Also the shape of the hole is an elongated diamond rather that round so it allows the two threads to sit side by side , this means a smaller hole is required, again adding to the strength. When the leather is dampened after sewing, the leather swells and the holes completely close up around the thread. It's not hard work at all to push a properly polished awl through 3 layers of 15oz leather, what looks like hard work is actually the aiming of the awl to come out in the proper position on the bottom of the stitch. This would be difficult with a drill as it would continue to grind away while you were fishing for the correct exit location. That's my short answer and it's what was drilled into me when I first learned to make saddles.
Hey Nick Deep Six, send me an email to agarleather@gmail.com and I'll send you a link to the video for the rest of the horn building. I haven't published it yet but you'll be able to watch it.
Was there a finish used on the horn at the end? If so it did not discolor the white thread or just an oil finish? What type of thread and the size. Excellent work people do not realize what goes into a custom saddle. They think a machine does everything. Takes skill which you have.
I just used a natural oil as a finish but even if I had dyed the leather the thread would stay light as it waxed braided polyester so doesn't absorb the dye.
You are a true artist my friend! My little quarter horse would love to wear that saddle!
Unbelievable, excellent work.!!
excellent work! Thanks for the video.
A beautiful sculpture.
amazing work
Wendiful amazing work
I bought a western saddle to refurbish and noticed that the leather on the saddle horn has ripped open, enough to show the metal underneath. The rip is in between the top and bottom thread, the rip basically cute the horn in half horizontally. I don't know if I should stitch it up or use another alternative. Any thoughts of what I should do?
6:52 hi there, what exactly are you doing here....seems you are pushing the stitches in....correct...? Why not use a hammer...? What edge burnishing sealant would you recommend...? Beautiful work sir, many thanks.
I'm using a blunt awl to push the threads in a bit, it helps even them out. It has to be done when the leather is damp. Because the top of the horn is curved it's hard to use a hammer to tap the threads. The other alternative is to run over it with an overstitch wheel.
I just used water on this for burnishing the edges but sometimes I use saddle soap and sometimes beeswax.
Thanks for your comment.
Thanks.
Hi Agar Great work , Can I ask why arent you using something like a Dremel with an appropriate Sized drill bit or a drill of some sort to make the holes , to make life easier for yourself?
A few reasons, the main one being that the drill makes a round hole that removes material, this weakens the leather. A properly shaped awl simply pierces a few of the leather fibers and pushes the rest aside, removing no material. Also the shape of the hole is an elongated diamond rather that round so it allows the two threads to sit side by side , this means a smaller hole is required, again adding to the strength. When the leather is dampened after sewing, the leather swells and the holes completely close up around the thread.
It's not hard work at all to push a properly polished awl through 3 layers of 15oz leather, what looks like hard work is actually the aiming of the awl to come out in the proper position on the bottom of the stitch. This would be difficult with a drill as it would continue to grind away while you were fishing for the correct exit location.
That's my short answer and it's what was drilled into me when I first learned to make saddles.
Can you do a video on preparing the tree. It seems like there is a lot of leather you need to attach first. Thanks
Hi Nick, I'm working on a video of that now hope to have it up soon.
Killer work. Do you have any video of putting those three layers of leather together on that horn? Bad ass!
Hey Nick Deep Six, send me an email to agarleather@gmail.com and I'll send you a link to the video for the rest of the horn building. I haven't published it yet but you'll be able to watch it.
Agar France thank you. Deep6leatherworks@gmail.com.
Please publish it. I enjoy your work. Thank you for all the time you spend making the videos.
Was there a finish used on the horn at the end? If so it did not discolor the white thread or just an oil finish? What type of thread and the size. Excellent work people do not realize what goes into a custom saddle. They think a machine does everything. Takes skill which you have.
I just used a natural oil as a finish but even if I had dyed the leather the thread would stay light as it waxed braided polyester so doesn't absorb the dye.
Thank you..very nice work.
you are a master thank you sir
how much such saddle can be worth?
Hi mister, is amazing see your work, what type of thread do you use??, regards
The thread I used for that is 1.2mm braided polyester, called Tiger Thread.
Thank you very much for sharing what you know, many greetings
😍👏
Toccad'a benne su caddu po la comporare
Can you see my carving work in leather