Awls are some of the handiest tools in a leather repair kit. A sewing awl can stitch up a leather bag, sew a canvas satchel, or even help you repair upholstery.
In this video, Marty, our Western Dept guy, shows you how to load a needle in the “Awl for All” sewing awl, get the thread ready, and begin sewing a basic lockstitch.
And now you know how to use a sewing awl!
What would you make with this tool? Leave a comment & let us know.
What leather working videos would you like to see us make? Let us know in the comments below. If you liked this video, please help us out by Tweeting about it or sharing on Facebook.
Nobody loves a good joke more than our Western department. They are infamous for their many pranks. Insomuch that when I joined Smith and Edwards I was even warned not to go over there on April Fool’s Day!
So in light of April Fool’s Day coming up I’m going to share with you some of their pranks that you might want to use for your own April Fool’s pranks!
Drop for Drinks
When you bring up the topic of past pranks in the Western department, there is one that seems to be revered over all, even honored. If they had a Hall of Fame prank board, this would be at the top. They call it Drop for Drinks.
For this “game” you need a quarter, a funnel, and what’s a good prank without ice-cold water.
Start by telling your “victim” the rules of the game. Entice him by telling him the loser buys drinks for everyone else. The idea behind the game is that you drop a quarter from your forehead in a funnel that you are holding up in the waist of your pants. When you make it in, you get to step out of the circle. The last one to catch his quarter buys drinks for everyone else. (I realize it sounds like you’d actually have to be drunk to play this game, but truth is, most our guys are water drinkers!)
Everyone gets in a circle and has a “practice round.” When it’s time for your “friend” to take his turn, wait for him to lean back to get his quarter ready. That’s the time to pour ice-cold water down his funnel. But watch out. After the shock wears off you may need to run! Can you picture why this is a Western department favorite?
Arachnophobia
This next prank they were laughing so hard I couldn’t always understand them! It involves a tarantula, a plastic container, and a co-worker with some serious arachnophobia.
One early morning Shaun came to work with a tarantula in a plastic container. Marty, their fearless leader, made a tarantula look-alike with a sheepskin for the body and dangling leather for the legs – all painted black. They tied it to an unsuspecting, unnamed co-worker’s work apron. (They manufacture leather tack for their wholesale department right here in our store.)
When the man came in to work, Shaun was holding the tarantula in its case, looking around frantically. The co-worker asked what was wrong and Shaun told him that when he came to work that morning there were two tarantulas in that box and now there was only one! You could see the other guy glancing around nervously. He carefully went to his workbench and reached for his apron while still scanning the area anxiously. As he went to put his apron on he saw the tarantula Marty had made dangling off his apron.
Now at this point in the story they are laughing so hard it’s hard to tell what they’re saying.
The poor man couldn’t stretch his arms out long enough to keep that apron away from him as he was screeching and backing up into the middle of the store. (We weren’t open yet so there were no customers to watch the scene, thank heavens!)
He realized it was a joke when he finally noticed everyone laughing. In the words of Marty, “That’s when he started breathing again.”
More Drink Than You Bargain For
The next two pranks show that you should never leave your drink unattended back in the Western department.
Next time you see a fast food drink sitting around, try this favorite trick! All you need is the cup with a straw and lid, a packet of Arby’s sauce (feel free to use Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, or any other sauce you can find), and some tape.
While the owner is gone, take off the lid. Make a small slit in the Arby’s sauce so the straw can just fit through. Secure it to the straw with tape and replace it in the cup with the lid. When he comes back he’ll take a big swig and get a special surprise!
I love this one, but once again, you’ll need your running shoes on!
The Leaky Pop Can
Don’t let Marty get a hold of your pop can, or water bottle, or pretty much anything that you value.
Apparently he likes to use a razor blade to cut a horizontal slit about 1″ down from the rim, right below the drink opening. The “victim” doesn’t realize it’s there and when he drinks he dribbles all over himself!
Oreo Horseradish Cookies
The next three pranks are simply irresistible!
Start by gently taking off the top of your Oreo. Carefully scrape out the middle of the filling, leaving just a thin outer layer. Fill it in with horseradish sauce, or something similar.
Replace the top of your cookie and replace in the Oreo package. Now you are ready to serve your delightfully deceptive treats!
Tabasco Sauce Donuts
This idea is a pretty simple concept that really packs a punch! First you need a box of store-bought donuts. (I suggest maple bars, but only if you’re sharing with me.)
Fill a clean syringe with Tabasco sauce and carefully insert into the middle of some of the donuts. Your “victim” will see you eating donuts, so won’t think twice about it when you offer him a Tabasco-filled one. Watch the pleasure turn to horror when he starts eating!
Chocolate Cupcake Surprise
Here’s a story I’ve heard over and over again. I guess if they prank a manager it goes down in the history books!
One April Fool’s Day Dani decided to buy some chocolate cupcakes from the store and add a little something of her own – black food color. She injected it in the middle of the cupcake with a syringe. (Apparently a pretty handy tool to have back in the Western department!)
Most of the cupcakes were untouched, and everyone was eating them – so when one was offered to our co-worker, he jumped at the chance.
He started realizing there was a problem when he saw black dye on his hands. Too late. His lips and tongue were black the rest of the day!
Raccoon Eye
For this simple prank you just need an ink pad and some binoculars. Ink around the binocular lenses with the pad so that when the unsuspecting wearer looks into them, they leave him with a surprise he won’t notice til someone tells him – or he looks in a mirror.
The guys in Western did this to a co-worker one time and he went most the day with the “ink spectacles” around his eyes before a co-worker from another department told him about it. Not saying it’s nice, just saying it works. Hehehe
Glue Bottle Jump
I call this the Glue Bottle Jump because that’s exactly what I did when they did this to me! You just need an empty glue bottle and some white 1/8″ cotton cord.
Take an empty bottle of glue and clean out the nozzle well. Marty uses a big bottle of Tear Mender because that’s what he uses all the time. Cut a 1/8″ cotton cord about 12″-15″ long and tie a knot at one end.
With the knot on the inside of the lid, insert the other end through the nozzle and make another knot on the open end. Now it is securely in place so it won’t come out. Pull the thread back through the lid so only the knot is showing on the nozzle of the lid. Attach your nozzle back to the bottle.
Marty, the Western department manager is fabulous at telling stories. He leads you up to the prank by showing you some of his work, or how he makes something. Then, when the moment is just right and he is showing you the glue, he’ll squeeze the bottle right at you and watch you jump…..and sometimes yelp. I’ve seen him do this to others and this harmless joke is always fun for a good laugh! Our friend Jeff was the last victim to his prank so we recorded it and you can see it below. Jeff says he doesn’t get scared easily so we’re pretty proud that we got any reaction out of him.
Thanks for being a great sport Jeff!
These are really only the beginning of the pranks and tricks you might find around here in the Western department. Maybe it’ll give you some ideas for April Fools pranks you can use!
Got some fun April Fools pranks of your own? We’d love to hear them! Please share them below.
Love all things Western? Tom teaches us how to tie a honda in this informative and easy-to-understand video. Check it out here!
As a Western tack & lifestyle store and a tack manufacturer ourselves, Smith & Edwards loves spotlighting American companies who produce their wares in the U.S. This post is part of a series spotlighting American manufacturers.
Sliester is a well-known name for Western bits. Steve Dunn spoke with us about Sliester Bits’ history and where the company is today!
The bit builder: Sliester’s Steve Dunn, squeezing the rivets on a loose jawbit. Racks of bits behind him!
Tell us about Sliester’s history.
A pair of cowboys, Don & Vic Sliester, started the company in 1954 with their aluminum hackamore. At the time, my family (the Dunns) operated a deburring business. We had rock tumblers and de-burring equipment.
Don & Vic came to us to find a process to smooth and polish the bits they made. Each of the bits spends a few hours in our tumbling machines, which slowly sands the sand marks out.
As it turns out, my dad Earl Dunn wound up buying the business from Don & Vic in the 1980s, when I was 18.
Did anything change when the company changed hands?
Not much. It’s the same great quality and craftsmanship since the beginning. We’ve had the same bit builder for the last 35 years, and that’s me!
We’ve had more people helping at times, including my two brothers Jim and Earl, but I’m the one who’s stayed around from the beginning. My dad is still here with me and answers the phone and helps where he can.
All the bits are still made here in America. There’s a lot of competition now for overseas stuff. I believe in my product and I believe in keeping it American-made.
One of the many fine bits Sliester produces: this engraved snaffle bit features full silver & jeweler’s bronze rings.
The Sliester brothers started the company in Sanger, CA. In 1980 we moved the company here to Auberry, California, which is about 20 miles from Sanger. We still make all the bits here in Auberry.
The business has always been named Frontier Supplier Inc manufacturer of Sliester Bits & Spurs. My dad kept the name when we bought it.
What do you love about continuing the Sliester tradition?
My favorite part of the business is being self-employed and working with my hands. I have made bits for some famous people, but I don’t want to say names.
Family-owned and operated – these bits are not mass-produced. If you have ever owned one, you can feel the balance.
Thanks for talking with us, Steve! Find Sliester Bits online:
Need a little spring outfit inspiration? This outfit is all about turquoise and that fun, edgy Aztec pattern you see everywhere now. Dress it up with shiny or antiqued silver, while keeping warm in soft knit cardigan by Stetson. Check out your Aztec outfit inspiration for this month:
This is your perfect outfit going into spring!
Put this so-soft Stetson acrylic/wool blend Aztec cardigan on over a fun lightweight chiffon Aztec-print tank. Pair them with Cowgirl Tuff turquoise stitch amazing fit jeans.
Then, top it off with the perfect silver Aztec-inspired jewelry: pictured, Montana Silversmiths antiqued silver filigree cuff and Rock 47 Aztec chevron necklace and earrings set.
It’s all about the accessories: choose Tony Lama boots (get them online!) and a black leather belt with just the right amount of bling – this belt is studded with turquoise chips, crystals, and silver spots. Finish with a Nine West black bag and an Aztec beaded headband.
Wow, a little Aztec overload – but put it all together and it makes for a fun, stylish, comfortable go-to outfit.
When you come in to Smith & Edwards, you’ll find all these fun clothes in the Clothing department. You’ll get even more fun spring outfit ideas when you’re here! The gorgeous belt, headband, purse, & the Rock 47 and Montana Silversmiths jewelry are located in the Western department.
Love this outfit? Please remember to Pin it or share it on Facebook so you can come back to it again & again!
Did you hear about our first ever in-store Dummy Ropin’ contest? We had so much fun we’re already thinking about the next one! Check out what happened and see who won.Sign up for our emails just for horse enthusiasts so you don’t miss out on the next one!
Our western department has western rock stars as far as I’m concerned. Not only do they carry a great selection of quality products, they are also so knowledgeable, friendly, and genuinely good people. They live the lifestyle they are talking about and have first hand experience.
Tom, Dave, Sam, Marty, Jess, Dani, Steve, Kyle, Shaun, Kris, and Sherm
Often they are asked how to do certain things, and how to tie a honda is a common request. Tom, one of our fabulous craftsmen from our manufacturing department (yes, they design and manufacture a lot of the tack they sell, and they do it right here in Smith and Edwards!) agreed to show us how to tie a honda. It must be effective because people keep coming back for more! (click here to skip to a written step-by-step how-to)
Watch How to Tie a Honda
Step by Step Tutorial on How to Tie a Honda
Tying a sturdy honda is really a two step process, but it really is quick and easy. First you make a stopper knot, then you can make your honda.
Begin by untying the strands in your rope about 6″ down and separate them. For our tutorial we’re using a 3 strand rope but you can easily do the same action with a 4 strand rope.
Take the middle back red strand and curve it to the left.
Take the blue strand on the left and go over and then under the middle red strand you just curved to the left.
Now take the right white strand and do the same over and under action you as you just did on the previous blue strand.
Grab the tip from this same white strand and insert it in the top loop you created with the first red middle strand.
Pull the end of each strand, making a tight knot at the bottom. Cut and burn the ends to seal it.
Now you’ve got your stopper knot ready for the next step. Look how great it turned out!
Time to tie your Honda
With about 18″ of rope, take the end that has your newly tied stopper knot. Working towards the right of your rope, loop it towards you til the knot faces away.
Grab the knot, take it to the left of the loop, then under and up, making an overhand knot.
It kind of looks like a pretzel now. Take your knot back behind the top of the loop and tuck it in the top loop of the overhand knot.
Make sure the upper loop you just made is the size you want and pull the bottom rope tight. Push the stopper knot up as you do this to keep it out of the way.
Now you’ve learned how to tie a honda like a pro, just like Tom and the rest of the crew.
Hope you enjoyed the tutorial and feel confident in tying your own hondas. If you have a question or there is something you’d like to know more about, let us know. Tom, Marty, Dani and others are happy to share their skills with us!
Be the first to find out about newly added Western products, special offers just for our online friends, and more helpful tips of the trade by signing up for our emails today. Join your email list here!
Todd Tanner with FOX13 visited Smith & Edwards in February to take a peek at the Country Boy Store.
We’re tickled that Todd took such great video of Smith & Edwards!
In addition to getting to explore the store, he got to talk to Mr. Smith, who grew the store from a little surplus & salvage operation to the gigantically fun store Smith & Edwards is today. Bert Smith still comes into the store ‘most every day at 95 years old, he’s an inspiration to all of us.
Smith & Edwards hosted our 1st Dummy Ropin’ on Valentine’s Day, February 14.
We’re glad everyone who came had such a great time!
There were 3 rounds and a range of ages participating…. and some GREAT prizes, from Smith & Edwards gift cards to ball caps and patches from Smart Roping, Fast Back Ropes, Bailey, Bex, and more.
It was a ton of fun for the adults who came. And it was even more fun to see the kids having a blast, whether they brought their own rope & gloves or they were trying their hand at ropin’ for the first time.
What do you think? Should we make a Dummy Ropin’ a Smith & Edwards tradition like the Gun Auction?
You’ll find 4-wheeler roping dummies, Shorty the Steer, and even tabletop roping dummies on our site! Click the picture to shop.
So now you’re probably thinking, Hey, I need one of those roping dummies!
Well, they are a ton of fun. The one you saw is available in green and black. It uses 8 wheels and is real easy to push on a flat floor. We built our own chute-launcher, you can see in the gallery. I bet you could come up with a system that works for your family to use.
It’s so easy to put your saddle on the stand and walk away when snow starts to fly in the fall. But that leaves a lot of dust & residue on your saddle so when you take it out in the spring, it’s WORK lookin’ you right in the face!
When you’ve put that much into a good Western saddle, you want to make sure your saddle stays clean and conditioned! Marty Thompson, our Western Saddlery guy, will take you through the most important parts of cleaning a saddle, whether you’re putting it away or taking it out in the spring.
Plus, if you have leather cowboy boots, scabbards, or headstalls that need a good cleaning, you can use these same steps to condition your leather.
How to Clean a Saddle Q & A
How to Clean a Western Saddle…. Before & After
Here’s a customer’s saddle. For some reason they were happy to volunteer when we asked around who wanted their saddle cleaned for free!
This saddle has some beautiful tooling and design, but it’s been buried deep under dirt & muck. Here’s what it’s going to look like when we’re done:
Leather Care Products you want to use
Everyone has their own preferences. Marty’s not only sold tack for 20 years here at Smith & Edwards – he does leatherworking & builds saddles in his spare time. So here’s what he recommends, based on his experience.
There are lots of products for cleaning your saddle, from Fiebing’s, Skidmore’s, and Ray Holes. A wool pad or scrap of sheepskin will help you gently rub the leather cleaner & conditioner into your saddle & gear without scratching.
Before Marty started with products, he took a bristle brush to the saddle to get off most of the dirt before coming in with the liquid. An air compressor works good too, if you have one – especially under the skirts and jockeys!
If you have a REALLY dirty piece of leather, you can use some dish soap on it. Then, you need to come back and condition it afterwards.
Marty likes using Fiebing’s Liquid Saddle Soap. This spray seems to cover better than paste, and you get less residue in the cracks of the leather. You can use a paste with a wet cloth, but if the paste gets too thick it might be hard to work out of your leather’s creases and details.
The Liquid Saddle Soap cleans it out really well, and it also lightly conditions it at the same time. Plus, it’s great to be able to spray in the spots you want.
That first spray on the dusty leather is pretty satisfying…
If a saddle has a lot drier feel to it after going over it with saddle soap, you could go over it with some neatsfoot oil to condition it deeper.
A soft cotton cloth is good to use for rubbing the liquid into the saddle. You can also use a soft sponge or a piece of sheepskin. You want something that is soft and won’t scratch the leather, and also holds the cleaner and conditioner well.
If you have an older saddle, or maybe a saddle that hasn’t seen enough care, the Skidmore’s Leather Cream is a great way to deeply condition your leather.
Skidmore’s Leather Cream
You don’t haveto wear gloves. Marty likes to wear gloves because that way he’s not running to the sink to get oil off his hands!
Parts of the Saddle to Clean
You want to clean your leather and get all the sand, dust, and dirt out of there. That helps your leather last longer and brings the beauty back into that leather.
It’s really important to do more than a surface clean when you care for you saddle.
When you’ve got sand and dust trapped in the fenders and parts of the saddle, it acts like sandpaper and wears out the leather.
You want to get in the fenders, the saddle strings, stirrup leathers.
And the cinch and back billet are really going to want cleaning.
Make sure and finger-clean all the hair, sticks, and dirt out of your cinch.
Make sure and get your rosettes and conchos shined up while you’re at it!
Halfway through! Marty’s cleaned the left side of the saddle, and he’s only brushed the right side so far.
If your silver conchos are really tarnished, go ahead and take them off your saddle, then take some silver polish to them. That’s because some silver polishes can turn your leather white, so you want to be sure and take the silver off the leather before you introduce the chemicals.
A lot of dirt and hair will build up where the stirrup hangs, so scrape and break up the dirt. You can scrape off the mud with a pocketknife on your stirrup leathers, and then you’ll be able to get the conditioner in the leather.
You’re not digging into the leather with your blade – just prying off the caked dirt.
If you have a rough-out or suede seat, you’ll want to use Bickmore’s Bick 4 instead of an oily conditioner, so the oil doesn’t come out on the seat of your pants! This type of product is also good for leather couches and car seats.
Same idea on cleaning rawhide: brush off any dust & dirt, then take a piece of sheepskin and work the rawhide cream into your gear.
Waterproofing Leather
Skidmore’s Beeswax Waterproofing
Ray Holes’ Saddle Butter conditions the leather well, AND has a waterproofing component in it. Ray Holes also makes Chap Wax, which is specifically designed for waterproofing. Skidmore’s also makes a waterproofing from beeswax. Each of these penetrates into the leather well and helps the moisture bead up and roll off instead of soaking into your saddle!
How do you waterproof your leather? Same process: clean your leather off with a brush and then a conditioner. Then, put on a coat of waterproofing.
Make sure and let your saddle dry on its own, at room temperature – this may take a half hour.
Finishing touches
To finish your leather, put a coat of Tan-Kote on your gear.
Tan-Kote, by Fiebing’s, gives your leather a bit of shine and also helps repel dust and dirt. Plus, it’s a softer product with a water base, that won’t cause your leather to crack.
After
Beautiful!
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Get the Basics with this Leather Care Kit
Marty put this kit together so you can get everything you need in 1 place to clean and waterproof your leather. Skidmore’s leather products are made in the USA – which we love – and they’ll work great on your saddle & tack.
Plus, you save money by buying these products in the kit – AND you get a sheepskin piece to work it in! We don’t sell these sheepskin scraps on the website, so Marty’s kit is the only way for you to get your hands on one of these! Click here to check it out.
How do you care for YOUR saddle & gear? Let us know!
Well we’ve had a whole lot of warm weather this winter, let me tell you some ice fishing stories in lieu of new Braggin’ Board pictures. And I DO have a new Braggin’ Board pic for you to check out, so scroll down to see what’s swimming in local ponds.
Self-Rescue while Ice Fishing
Some of you guys are braver than I am.
When it comes to thin ice, I am a chicken. I struggle even on 5 inches of ice!
I don’t know if it is because I am a bigger guy, if it’s cause I swim like a rock, or just what… but I AM pretty chicken.
In any event, you should check out this video that I found through our good friend Wynn aka Bear’s Butt. He’s totally immersed in fletching and bows but go tell him hi from me. This video he shared, teaches you what you should do in the event that you fall through the ice.
Thanks Butt! That’s some good knowledge to have.
I don’t fish very often (if ever) on ice that could potentially be less than 5 inches. That means that I haven’t had much fun this ice season. It’s been a big bust actually here for northern Utah – one of the mildest winters on record.
When Cold Water is Hot, You’ve Probably Got Hypothermia
I remember when I was younger and growing up in a very small town in northern Utah. My hometown is small enough that if you blink when driving through it to go to Bear Lake, you would miss it.
I was young enough that I did not have a driver’s license yet, and it was Christmas Break. A friend of mine and I decided we wanted to go fishing.
Being in the small town where everyone knows everyone, you can get most places on a four wheeler. My buddy just happened to have one, and we got permission to go.
Woodruff Reservoir was about 10-15 miles away, and we thought that would be no problem to get to. We forgot about where we lived and that we wouldn’t be inside a cab getting up there. A four wheeler in the winter up there is SO cold!
We only made it partway and decided that we would just fish a pond that was only part of the way up the highway.
When we finally got on the ice, we found another obstacle. We realized that the hand auger that we had was dull.
I mean, so dull that it wouldn’t have cut warm butter let alone 10″ or more of ice. This thing was almost useless!
We finally got two holes drilled and fished for about 10-15 minutes. We caught two fish and decided that was enough… and froze all the way home.
Our hands were SO numb that when we got home, we put them under COLD water because warm water felt like it was burning us! I still have all 10 fingers though so we made it ok.
We never went on a trip like that again… although there were plenty of other adventures we went on!
Want to hear more of my fishing stories? Or share one adventure you had? Leave a comment below and tell me about it.
And before I go, let me show you this perfect rainbow trout caught at Brigham City’s Pioneer Park in January.
Allen Larsen pulled this beauty: 8 pounds and 26″. Thanks for sharing Allen, and great catch!
Valentine’s Day? It’s over rated. But who doesn’t love an excuse to dress up?
A little Western inspiration in honor of Valentine’s Day.
For the Ladies
Sure to turn some heads is this amazing Panhandle Slim long sleeve blouse. Impressively accented with beautiful scroll embroidery, red rhinestones and ebony snaps
Where fashion meets western – Cowgirls Tuff jeans, fun retro wash accented with red stitch and red embroidered “bling” pockets. Amazing fit for all body tops.
Paired with functional and stylish Columbia quilted vest. All that is needed on these warmer “winter” days.
Topped off with fun boho country chic Rock 47 necklace and matching earrings and silver rhinestone bracelet.
Complete the look with a great pair of Tony Lama Vaquero red boots with brown leather wing tips and snipped toe, a fun red belt with plenty of silver and bling, and a beautiful America West fully tooled leather purse.
For Men
Rugged Wear easy care plaid shirt. You will look amazing and your partner will love you because she won’t have to iron your shirt.
Cinch Ian dark wash jean – mid rise, slim fit, boot cut with heavy contrast stitching on pockets. Stylish and classic.
Classic Columbia fleece vest – tried and true can’t beat Columbia’s quality
Infamous Hooey hat – hands up pistol Hooey
Classic black tooled leather belt with silver conchos
Amazing Tony Lama full quill ostrich boots – get him these and he will love you forever
For Your Son
Classic Cinch plaid shirt and logo tee
NEW Cinch Luke jean – great fit and look
Cowboy Hardware quilted vest with steer head skull embroidery – fun and functional
Stylish 3D beaded belt – what every little cowboy wants at a great price
Serratelli 6X flat top, banded edge cowboy hat – made in the USA
Tony Lama western work boot – built to last with heavy duty soles and brushed leather vamp
For the Girls
Stylish and fun Cruel Girl polka dot shirt with glitter snaps
Dreamstar knit heart top with pleather and silver stone accents
Cruel Girl Ella Jean – adjustable waistband, fun heavy pink and white stitching on pockets, rhinestone button and rivets
Darling Cowgirl Hardware quilted vest complete with detailed barrel racer embroidery and rhinestones
Super cute silver sequined belt that will compliment any outfit
Justin faux snake pink boots with silver pink stitched tops – any little cowgirl will fall in love with these (available online! click here)
