Head of the class makers?

[Antipaladin]

I've seen the marvelous work of WRTC and Mr. Ghormley, but who else do you think makes the top 10?

I just saw a rig by Percival custom gunleather from Aussie and it was very impressive.

[Ace Lungger]

Howdy Antipaladin , 
Welcome aboard! i do not doubt that Percival does good work! I havn't seen his work, but I do not doubt you!
You are right about Chuck Burrow and Wil Grormley, they are Awesome leather crafters! Some time when you have the time, look at the post show your stuff! you will see some AWESOME leather work from members on this forum that don't make there main living doing it! There are so many Super Leathercrafters on here, that if all of them opened there doors to buisness, no one would make a living! There are also those that hide in the shadows, not tootting there own horn, are are Master Leather Crafters, but those folks do it for the love of the art that they make! i have seen several rigs that were made by pards that are not listed above, that are mind blowing AND I make this STATEMENT not to take anything away from CB, or WG!
 If I ever get 1/3 as good as my mentor, I will be very happy!! I myself would never want to do this for a living, because then it would not be fun, it would be a job!! I like to petal or barter enough to support my playing.
I just want to have FUN 
Have a good one Antipaladin !
ACE

[Marshal Will Wingam]

Welcome to the forum, Antipaladin. Ace summed it up nicely. Lots of talent running around these parts. Looking forward to your posts.

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[Antipaladin]

Just finished reading all 230 pages of the "Show your Stuff!" thread. There are definitely some extremely talented people on this site.

[Marshal Will Wingam]

I noticed on your first post that you do leather yourself. Feel free to post pics of your stuff. We're drooling photo addicts around here.

[RollingThunder]

I agree. And one of the more talented ones is the Marshal himself! LOL. Had to say that 'cause he won't brag on his own.

[HorsePen Henry]

Then there's Dalton Masterson. His stuff looks like it's out of Packin' Iron.

Horse Pen

[Dalton Masterson]

Now HorsePen, your work has inspired me just as much as that ol' Packing Iron book. Thank you tho.
I think that all the makers on here, that have the gumption to try and make their own gear, or to make a business out of this fun hobby, are the best there is.
Anyone can order leather from a maker somewhere, but not everyone can sit down and make their own.
I think whoever the last 10 pards that posted a pic of their work, are the top 10 leathermakers on this board.
DM

[Marshal Will Wingam]

Thanks for the kind words, RT. I'd be hard pressed to say who are the top ten because there are a number of really good leather workers on this forum. I think Dalton probably has the right idea; the last 10 are the top 10.

[Skeeter Lewis]

Antipaladin, I agree with the others that it's invidious to attempt a ranking. But I am always on the look-out for makers I haven't heard of before. So - thanks for the heads-up on Percival Leather, whose website is impressive.

Other than the pards aforementioned, here are some websites you might want to look at:

Old West Reproductions
Wild Rose Trading
Shooting Star Saddlery
Wolf Ears
Western Star Leather
Jake Johnson Maker

And all the rest...

(Several of these makers contribute to this forum)

[Slowhand Bob]

One who would make my short list is Kid Cavalier.  We do not see as much of him recently but he used to be a regular here and his work was beautiful.  Chuck (Mr WRT) Burrows is also one who is never outdone, the mans imagination is pure awsome and its almost as if he has never had to make two alike of anything!

[RollingThunder]

Let's not forget David Carrico. You make leather work good enough for movies, you ought to be considered for this list for sure.

[JD Alan]

Having only been on this forum since mid October of last year, I can say everyone inspires me.

Frankly, IMO Chuck B is in a class by himself, with no disrespect to anyone else here. He does things no one else does.

I love Hose Pen's attention to detail and borders, what an inspiration.

Rolling Thunder's ability to produce excellent color knocks me out. Others may produce excellent Fraugahyde, but the one I've seen the most is RT, and it defies discription.

Quite a few guys are excellent carvers, Dalton comes to mind there.

When it comes to helping out a new guy, lots of pards are great, but none better than Mr Will Wingam, who produces consistant, inspirational work, and is always there with a positive word and great advice.

If I'd been around longer here, I'm sure the list would be longer! Thanks to all who share your work, each piece helps me along, JD

[Ten Wolves Fiveshooter]

     Like others have said, there are too many to mention, but of those mentioned one is missing, and this person has his own business, and is an artist in his own right, and that is Cowboy WC, he helped me get started in leather in 06, and I'll always be grateful to him for that. WC does things to leather that is masterful to say the least, his tooling and carving is diffidently at the top of the class. WC shares his talent with others, and has taught classes for many years now, he is always willing to take time away from his work at Standing Bears Trading Post, to help all that ask.


                                                  tEN wOLVES 

[JD Alan]

I'm sure WC is at the top of the list, from various things I've read, but darn it, he hardly ever share photos of his work! I know he's full time at this, plus teaching, so I understand the time factor. The work he has shared of his students gives you a pretty good idea of what the rest of his stuff would look like.

Then there is a short video around of him demonstrating swivel kinfe techniques. He makes it look so stinkin easy that if I didn't know better I would think working a swivel kinfe was a piece of cake.

I can't point you to the source for that, but I have seen it somewhere. Maybe WC will give it an address?   

[cowboywc]

Howdy TW
Thank you for the kind words. You make me proud with each piece you make.

Howdy JD.
I don't get to make as many holsters as I'd like anymore, mostly for myself. I do all kinds of custom leatherwork.
Most is not cowboy. I preferr to carve western floral but not all customers want that.
I don't post most of my work just because I don't want people to think I'm on here to just promote my business.
There are time I wish I could just make the things I want and forget about doing customer work but that won't pay
the bills.
My web site, leatherbywc.com has hundreds of pix of my work over the years if anyone wants to see what I've done.
My woodworker friend just made me a set of Ebony grips for my Vaquero and is making me a knife with matching scales.
I will be making a new rig for them when I get time. Been designing it in my head for about a week now.
I've also been trying to design patterns for a saddle I'll be starting on in june for the Boot & Saddle show in    
Wichita Falls, TX in Oct.
I just posted another short video on beveling on our myspace. http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.myvideos
WC

[JD Alan]

I completely understand the thoughts of self promotion, but I doubt anyone on this forum would believe it for a second. I appreciate the note for the website. I need to look that up. I also look forward to seeing another of your tutorials on tool use.

Thanks for taking time to respond, JD