lauralee's workshop
The Leather
Latigo leather is specially made to withstand the tough requirements of equestrian and outdoor gear such as saddelry, bridles, tie-downs and harness applications. Heavily Oiled and extremely strong, it stands up to even the harshest conditions. Care and cleaning of this leather is also super easy, clean with saddle soap or any good leather cleaner, then oil with neatsfoot oil or mink oil.
I use other leathers as well, beautifully hand-dyed leathers in Hot Pink, Purple, Red, Blue and Top of the Line English Bridle Leather. If you have questions about any of the other leathers I use, please email me at lauraleeleathers@msn.com
Leather Weight Conversion Chart
Every "ounce" is equal to 1/64" in thickness. Leather alwasy has slight variations in
thickness. As a result, leather hides will seldom measure to the exact 1/64" throughout. Just remember,
the heavier the ounces, the thicker the leather.
6 oz. = 3/32 inch = 2.39mm
7 oz. = 7/74 inch = 2.78mm
8 oz. = 1/8 inch = 3.18mm
9 oz. = 9/64 inch = 3.58mm
10 oz. = 5/32 inch = 3.96mm
11 oz. = 11/64 = 4.37mm
12 oz. = 3/16 inch = 4.78mm
13 oz. = 13/64 inch = 5.17mm
14 oz. = 7/32 = 5.57mm
Many of my restraint sets are done in a natural or "unfinished" leather that I hand-dye, condition and finish. This process allows me offer wonderful colors such as Red, Purple, Hot Pink, Blue, Green, etc that can't be found in a heavy weight factory dyed leather of this quality. Hand-Dying leather itself is an art which I find very gratifying. I love to transform the plain into something beautiful. It's alot of work but the end result is very much well worth it.
Beauty in the Details
Rounding and Applying a Decorative Saddleman's Groove is something you don't see alot of nowadays. Hand rounding and edge grooving takes time and most people just don't want to put the extra effort into it. The little details is just one of the ways I turn ordinary gear in Extraordinary Gear.
I have to put a little note here to rebutt stupid comments made by another eBay seller in his listings. He rambles on about NOT using "Cheap USMC Black" to redye his Latigo. My "redying" serves two purposes: 1) as stated above, the edge groove removes a small bit of material so those grooves have to be redyed. 2) It gives the Latigo a very rich dark black color, like that of a United States Marine Corp Officers shoes ! It doesn't turn the leather "blue" or any other color as claimed by the other eBay seller. I don't know about you but I've never seen any USMC personel running around with "blue" shoes ! That's just preposterous and about one of the stupidest things I've ever heard! What's the saying.... "It's one thing for people to think you might be an idiot... It's quite another for you to open your mouth and prove them right !" OK...nuff of my preposterous....
Product Construction Comparisons
Thank you for taking the time to visit my workshop! I hope it was helpful in making your buying decision.