I was watching How It's Made this morning. The segment was on making a custom English saddle. They explained that whale bone was used for working the seat tight as whalebone does not scratch or scar leather. In my ignorance of working with leather and/or reading about leather working skills here I have never read about using whale bone for shaping, but am familiar with the term boning leather to gun shape when making a holster. Any thoughts?
Whale Bone Used for Shaping Leather
- Thread starter walkinghorse
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I have only done minimal leather work, but I understand about any totally smooth tool, (wood, bone, etc) will do boning. I think close grain hardwood is most commonly used.
Whale bones were also very useful in old printing shops. This was the family business from the 1920's until the '70's. We used them to fold paper and card stock. It did a flawless job in good hands. No other material would perform as well in the sense that it left no scratches, wrinkles, mars, or marks. It also lasted, for all I know, forever.
I wish I had kept one of them.
I wish I had kept one of them.
BLACKHAWKNJ
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Noted bicycling authority Fred Delong said a piece of bone-he didn't specify from what-was the best implement to smooth leather, especially a bicycle saddle that had been scuffed.
CelticSire
US Veteran
I've done leather work since I was in my early teens (so, about 45 years or so). I have a small piece of whale bone that I've used for as long as I've been working leather. Still looks as new as it did the day I got it. I wish I had a dollar for every piece of leather I've used it on.
LoboGunLeather
US Veteran
One of the basic processes in wet-forming vegetable-tanned leather is called "boning". A smooth and non-abrasive tool (originally bone, antler, or similar) is used to mold and sculpt the leather into the desired shape.
In more modern times the tools used are more frequently plastics or hardwood pieces shaped to achieve specific results.
This work is always performed by hand, and it requires both strength and precision in applying pressures to achieve the desired result. Most modern manufacturers have long since gone to hydraulic or pneumatic presses to form holsters to the specific shape of a handgun. Only the custom shops or limited production shops continue to provide genuinely hand-boned holsters.
After 43 years of doing that work I can tell you that it takes a toll on the joints, ligaments, and tendons, and arthritis reminds me every day about the stresses and strains I experienced while producing my products.
In more modern times the tools used are more frequently plastics or hardwood pieces shaped to achieve specific results.
This work is always performed by hand, and it requires both strength and precision in applying pressures to achieve the desired result. Most modern manufacturers have long since gone to hydraulic or pneumatic presses to form holsters to the specific shape of a handgun. Only the custom shops or limited production shops continue to provide genuinely hand-boned holsters.
After 43 years of doing that work I can tell you that it takes a toll on the joints, ligaments, and tendons, and arthritis reminds me every day about the stresses and strains I experienced while producing my products.
OP
Thank you gentlemen!
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