Industrial Training, Saddle Making, and Manufacturing
Over the years I have been blessed to have been able to fully utilize the custom saddle building and custom tree building. In the industries of saddle making,
I will say a group or team can and have produced saddles of the caliber of the top custom saddle makers and or companies.
I have lead and instructed such teams. I’m very thankful to have made it happen, and loved doing so.
Without getting into a long history and detailed description, I shall give a brief, short mention of the name and company.
In some companies, I brought production standards in quality and techniques to a new level through their needs to serve the customer in top quality standards.
I’m happy to say, they all strive to become better, more proficient and all want quality, or I would never have attempted the concept with the lines or the company listed below:
1) First, the old Dennis Moreland plant Cowboy Tack, briefly, M. L. Leddy’s Cowboy Tack
2) Martin Saddlery, Plant #2, Equibrand, Del Rio, Texas
3) Longhorn Saddlery, Billy Cook Saddle, Smith and Action Saddles, Greenville, Texas and McKinney, Texas
4) Also in my own industry, Oak Brand Leather – Texas, Oklahoma, Nevada and Mexico.
Years ago, I’ve even had the pleasure of working with the McPherson Saddle makers at their homes
in Los Angeles, California! What a smile that brings back. I’ll put that picture in here later; as well as, other team photos of our plants and employees of past.
_____ Ed ‘Oak’ Mathieus
Saddle Making & Saddle Repair Instructional Courses
Thank for learning more about our Saddle Making and Saddle Repair Instructional Courses.
So, you want to learn the leather trade?
First, let’s talk about learning saddle repair. Saddle repair is my favorite skill that I recommend for a person to first learn in wanting to work saddles. Why? You not only can have the knowledge to repair, but you will have an open book before you in the repairs you do but, can you read it? If so, you will know what you’re working on is presenting a style and skill right there in front of you – hands on. You just need to know the basic’s to read his or her work.
My “Saddle repair Course” teaches you hands-on skills and techniques. Some of your training will be in our shop while others may be done online. By the end of the class, you will be repairing saddles as you demonstrate the following:
1. The different Saddle parts, Tree knowledge
2. Finding problems in used Saddle’s
3. Saddle Repair, (Hands on – with me),
4. Stitching hand and machine. I use Adler 360, Union Lock stitch and Table Model for Chaps and Tack,
5. How to use tools and equipment related to a saddle- plus pricing your work,
6. Pricing your work.
7. Materials, general knowledge and where to order,
8. Last, our Student / Teacher relationship will never end.
9. This course runs (10) Ten Weeks, but some students learn faster than others and some just want as much repair knowledge as possible in10 weeks. As a student, you will demonstrate by hands-on knowledge gained during the steps in training.
Saddle Repair Course Cost $4,000.00
Tools recommended upon completion of the basic course will cost approx. $1,400.00 dollars. If you shop around, you can lower the cost of tools down to $800.00 – $900.00.
Saddle Making Course and Saddle Repair Courses
(Cont’d)
I have been teaching saddle making and repair courses since 1988. The students were selected from many. I have always believed you must; well sort of meet a certain criteria. First, you must want to learn. Second, you must know this line of acquired skill is as Heritage and Western as it gets. Last, this form of Art is “a God-given Skill” you can earn; as well as, learn. I must say “This” weeded a lot of want-a- be students, out.
But I had to be confident; you will do right and carry on a tradition. So far, I’ve been blessed with each and all students making their mark in business . With their ability to continue to learn and grasp knowledge is a greater way of thinking of what can I learn? I observe students with an attitude of humbleness as they move forward in Western Heritage morals, and ethics that are deep rooted in saddlers. As you well know, I look for that hopefully to be in at least the beginning in my students as skilled men and women.
So far, you guessed it………………they fill the ticket. In the following sentences, you are about to read, I will tell you how I teach and why I believe in this technique.
Saddle Making Course and Approximate Tool Cost
Custom Saddle Making Course Fee: $8,000.00 (Plus Tools)
Course Time: 10 weeks and you will be hard pressed
We first will
(1) plan your Saddle; and
(2) You will learn Tree Specs.
Following Steps for the Custom Saddle Making Course:
1) First, you’ll learn saddle parts and where they fit with names which, in some cases have changed.
2) Horse anatomy in relation to saddle fitting and how-to directions.
3) Finding your way around leather tools and shop, learning to punch, cut, plus use splitter and skiving machine.
4) Also you will learn how to sharpen a straight knife, sharpen a round knife, and learn to sew with a machine, and skive leather.
5) You will cut leather, learn the thickness used in different parts of a saddle, and the firmness needed for strength in relation to the use of the saddle part you are cutting.
6) You will learn how and where to cut a saddle part from (Saddle Skirting Hides).
7) You will learn proper gluing and wet molding techniques; as well as, oiling, finishing, line stitching, lock stitching, and double stitching.
8) You will learn saddle types and uses in events; as well as, trees and their advantages and disadvantages.
9) You will build your own saddle which will belong to you on completion of the Custom Saddle Making Course and Saddle Repair Course.
10) Last, what tools you’ll need then we will talk shop, leathers, machinery, patterns – plus how to find information you might need.
11) Upon completion of the Custom Saddle Making Course and Saddle Repair Course, Note: some of this class will be hands-on and others
will be through distance learning. In this manner you will have the best of both worlds.
Saddle Repair and Custom Saddle Making Course Cost $11,000.00
Taken in one 14 week slot.
Lastly, remember I’m always an Email or Phone Call away to help and advise you.
______ Ed ‘Oak’ Mathieus
Upon successful completion of our Oak Brand Leather saddler’s training course, you will be inducted into out OBL Saddler’s Club and presented with this OBL official certificate of graduation.
Notice your cert will have my professional mark of authenticity – my OBL maker stamp.
Click pic below for full-size image.
Partners / Contractors / Design / Training
Oak Brand Leather
Is a company which has the background to help you in caring for your leather. In addition, we offer our
in all areas of leather custom building and industry manufacturing. As in most areas now, the old
(correct way) of caring for leather or the ”True Quality finish of long ago Lost Technique” has been set aside for incorrect,
quick application finishing products that create multiple leather deterioration and problems.
I am blessed in my expertise and love building and designing saddles and custom leather projects.
Trust me, nothing speaks more than the men and women who love and work as craftsmen with
of long ago and today. Though they have passed on to our final home, they still can be
heard in their work which tells of their craftsmanship and love in what they did and the joy of
leaving a part of their life to be remembered and cherished. I think we should take care of it as
they would ask us to do, so use a product that will do what it says it will do.
OakBrand Leather Conditioner was developed by a master saddle maker,
saddle repairman and designer of 43 years with degree and true knowledge from our past saddle makers and craftsmen.
While I have been blessed to learn, share and carry on a true heritage, I give all the glory and thanks to God.
Ed
Below we have divided our leather work into the following sections:
1 Partners – (people with whom we’ve worked).
2 Leather design – professional quality leather collaboration and design.
3 Contractors – assorted contractors with whom we’ve worked.
4 Students – with whom we’ve trained.
Companies with whom we’ve worked:
Chester’s Western Wear – Oklahoma
Larry Fare’s Western Wear – Oklahoma
Mike’s Custom Saddles – Oklahoma
Martin Saddlery – Texas
Billy Cook Saddlery – Oklahoma
M.L. Leddy’s Saddle & Boots – Texas
Cowboy Tack – Texas
Longhorn Saddlery – Texas
Muzquiz Western Outfitters – Mexico
We offer an extensive list of professional credentials with our quality leather design work.
We have designed for:
Cris Cox – Texas
Teskey’s – Texas
Action Company – Texas
Paul Taylor’s Saddlery – Texas
Cowboys Western Supply – Louisiana
Equibrand – Texas
Dover Saddles – New York
Cowboy’s Professional Rodeo – Texas
Triple Horn Saddlery – Germany
Cashel Saddlery – Chehalis, Washington
Martin Saddlery – Texas
In addition, the companies above represent some of the finest men and women involved in our western heritage in sales, manufacturing, custom saddles, tack and more.
______ Ed ”Oak” Mathieus
Contracting done for assorted Las Vegas casinos:
During the years from 1991- 2005, Oak Brand Leather designed, contracted, and did specialty leather design projects for the majority of Las Vegas, Nevada Casino chains:
Marnell Carrara Casino Construction Co.
These are only a few of the Las Vegas Casinos we contracted for over the years.
Oak Brand Leather can handle any design or contract related to leather, western heritage or design.
In addition to consulting, manufacturing and other expertise assistance, we also offer a leather training division. Below are people (our students) and agencies with whom we have taught the leather trade.
Saddle, Tack & Repair Diploma(s)/Certificate(s) awarded to the following: