Tooling & Finishes Overview

Most of my projects are made to order just for you. I do not carry a lot of general stock pieces at the moment. The below information is provided to show you examples of tooling patterns, designs, and borders I can do on a piece for you. There are also examples of dyes and finishes that I can apply to your project. Tooling and Finishes make your project unique. They can also be as simple as a plain border or as elaborate as a fully tooled and bordered piece. This will affect the time involved and overall price of your project. I can also add initials, monograms, logos (*complexity and copy right dependent), and other items depending on scale. My overall artistic style is traditional american western tooling and design. There is a wide variety of design within this style of work. I try to stick to the tradition and style of this art because it is my signature work. I can customize your piece specifically to you within the realm of this style. I do consider some projects outside of this particular genre on a case by case basis, and the projects are priced according to the amount of work that must be done to accomplish a desired outcome. Feel free to discuss these options with me, and I will do my best to make a beautiful, unique one-of-a-kind piece just for you.

Western Floral & Scrolling

This style demonstrates the essence of American West with traditional floral and scroll tooling. It can include or exclude flowers. It can be simply leaves and scroll work or scroll work only. This type of tooling is the most elaborate and takes the most time to complete due to its complexity. A piece can be fully tooled or partially tooled with just a corner design, for example, like the piece in the photo. The finish on this also tooling also adds to its complexity. You can select back ground dyeing or antiquing to enhance its look or make it look older. All these selections are up to you and I have a variety of shades and colors to choose to finish off your piece beautifully. (*There is no finish applied to this piece in this photo - natural leather only)

Pattern & Border

This style is very common in saddlery. The border style is often referred to as serpentine or running “W”. There are variations of this border which I can show you upon request. It also comes in different sizes/widths. The basket weave pattern is extremely traditional. This particular design displays the basket weave with a single change in direction which is not a common design and makes for a unique feature. Alternating direction change can also be accomplished with the basket weave and looks quite interesting. Basket weave also comes in varying sizes and design. the finish on this piece is a dark brown antique over the tooled area with a show brown dyed border.

Combination Tooling & Finishes

This valet tray shows scrolling (non-floral) and basket weave pattern with layered finishes, including dyeing and antiquing.

Custom Carving & Initials/Brands

This piece is truly one of a kind. It shows carved flowers and a center monogram design. This is a piece that was framed and hung on a wall, but this type of work can be done on smaller pieces such as holster, accessories, etc. Large pieces like the on pictured make great family heirlooms, wall pieces for a business, or a great way to display you personal brand or logo. Custom carving and any type of lettering on any scale is more time consuming and elaborate that traditional tooling, but if this is something you would like, let me know and I will try and bring your idea to life. The finish all but the last photo in the group below in show brown dye around the initial and a natural sealed finish on the carving. The final picture has an antique applied to the final product. Again, you choose the finish you would like on your piece.

Veteran Owned & Operated - MADE IN THE U.S.A.!