Shop Talk! November 2022

Each year, when preparing issue files for our annual Veteran’s issue, my heart warms. I often find myself reflecting on the history of this monumental day – Veterans Day. I’m sure most of you know that this day signifies the end of “the war to end all wars.” Of course, the war we are referencing is World War I. On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, fighting ceased between Allied nations and Germany, signifying this hallowed day. Formerly known as Armistice Day, the national holiday officially changed names June 1st, 1954, after World War II had “required the greatest mobilization of soldiers, sailors, Marines, and airmen in the Nation’s history.” Now this holiday is reserved for a “celebration of honor to America’s veterans for their…

GENE FOWLER A writer and performer based in Texas, Gene Fowler has written for Cowboys & Indians, Oxford American, San Francisco Chronicle, True West, and many other publications. His books include Maverick, Border Radio, Crazy Water, and Metro Music. NICK PERNOKAS Nick Pernokas was raised in New England. As a boy he cleaned stalls for a hack stable in return for getting to ride the horses. He bought his first horse with money from a paper route, and showed in AQHA shows with him. At a young age Nick headed west to play cowboy. He ended up in Stephenville, Texas, where he received a B.S. from Tarleton State University. In 1983 he began building custom saddles under the Pernokas Saddlery label. Nick competed successfully in the AQHA, the NRHA, and the PRCA, in…

The artisan® model 246LK is a Cylinder Bed, Big “M” sized Bobbin, Medium/Heavy Duty Walking Foot, Compound Needle Feed, (Unison Feed) Lockstitch Sewing Machine with a Large Thread Capacity, Big Size, Rotating Hook Mechanism. artisan® model 246LK series sewing machines includes a stitch length mechanism dial and a reverse feed lever for back tacking and stitching in reverse. The machine sews thread from as small as size z-46 up to a large diameter size of z-138 in the needle with up to a maximum size of z-138 in the bobbin. artisan® model 246LK machines sew a beautiful equal distant stitch length on all types of leathers or fabrics as light as a sheet or two of paper and up to just over 3⁄8” thick of leather or fabrics. With Bench…

The Hide House is offering beautiful chrome tanned latigos with some vegetable extract in gorgeous colors for sale. Excellent for pet products, saddlery usage (reins and leads) or anything needing strong, durable leather. 20-25 sq ft, medium-firm temper, aniline finish. Burgundy Mellow Latigo 6-7 oz. Stock # LAT14 Burgundy Mellow Latigo 8-9 oz. Stock # LAT13 Green Mellow Latigo 8-9 oz. Stock # LAT19 Black Mellow Latigo 6-7 oz. Stock # LAT18 Black Mellow Latigo 8-9 oz. Stock # LAT17 For those needing a firmer temper. 20-25 sq ft, aniline finish. Black Firm Latigo 6-7 oz. Stock # LAT10 Black Firm Latigo 8-9 oz. Stock # LAT11 www.hidehouse.com…

Pecard Leather Care Co. has been a small family-owned company since 1902! Their Leather Care Dressings were developed to protect leather from the harsh northern Wisconsin elements and even stood up to the inhospitable conditions of Antarctica. Since the beginning, Pecard Leather Care Products offer an easy, inexpensive, and effective way to provide exceptional leather maintenance. Proper care consists of conditioning the leather a few times a year to keep the leather soft and flexible. These special formulas protect from damage due to the elements and aging, preserving, and extending the life of the leather. Visit WWW.PECARD.COM or call 1-800-467-5056 for more information. Made in the USA.…

George Hurst had a lifetime of stories: some tales of innovations in the leather industry, some lessons of struggle over his 89 years, and others, just accounts of a life well lived. George was born in New Berlin, Pennsylvania, and was raised on a tomato farm that supplied produce for the Chef Boyardee plant. Although he dabbled in leather work in Boy Scouts, it wasn’t until his senior year of high school that he really got interested. At the time, he only had one thing on his mind: going to Penn State to play football. However, he wasn’t enrolled in enough classes to graduate, so he took industrial arts. The new shop instructor had just gotten out of an Army hospital where he had been doing leathercraft for several years, and…