two ply leather???

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two ply leather???

Posted : 7/18/2010 2:07:36 PM

Hi,

Just got my brand new draw chain halter, it was custom made for my mule by a local saddlemaker,

I already have another halter from the same maker, which came together with my mule whei i bought him, and i was very satisfied of it, great workmanship and top quality leather, but my mule is now 5 years old and he's nearly outgrowing it so i needed a larger one.

The leather on the new halter isn't quite up to the one on the older halter though, it's much thicker and feels stiff and dry, but even more disappointing, the leather seems to be made from two plies glued together to form a 1/4" thickness, the seam is very neat and is really only noticeable where the leather is cut, and looks like a dark line in the middle of its thickness.

Is this plied construction typical of cheap low quality leather?

3equines

Posted : 7/20/2010 1:45:12 PM

You actually got a better halter. The 2 pieces of leather ("doubled and stitched") are made the way harnesses are, and are very strong, will resist stretching and breaking. The animal's natural oils from wearing it over time will help soften it, you can also give it a good drenching with a leather conditioner such as neatsfoot oil or Lexar leather products (whatever similar product you have over there). You want a liquid-type oil conditioner, not saddle soap or a paste wax. Putting the halter in a warm place before and after oiling it will help the oils penetrate the leather, such as a warm sunny spot or near a heater.

Jimmyhaflinger

Posted : 7/21/2010 7:12:10 AM

thanks!

I have oiled the halter and used it a couple of times and it's noticeably softer now.

The leather plies are just glued together with some extremely strong leather glue, no stitching!!

The leather plies were apparently glued together by the tannery under high pressure (the bonding is very tight and barely noticeable), before the leather was cut into straps

At least, it has a "proper" pleasant leather smell, it doesn't have the usual strong "rotten fish" or chemical smell of cheap Indian leather... !