braided leather vest with fringe
This vest was built with a top quality, full grain. 4 oz. moccasin cowhide leather. The seams, edges, pockets, etc. were done with 1/4" wide lacing cut from the same leather that the vest parts were cut from. It has (what I call) a 'draft flap' on the back/bottom of it. The vest has fringe on the back side of it, straps hanging on the front, pockets, and braided leather snap closures.
Over the last 40 years, I've custom built hundreds of vests - you can see over 50 of them on my vests home page. While they are all braided, that's pretty much where their similarities end. After seeing the many features I can offer, folks contact me with their own ideas/designs and we discuss how I should build one for them. Each vest ends up truly being a unique, handmade, long lasting, one of a kind piece. braided leather vest with fringe
I started to inquire with Dave on a leather biker vest in the Fall. I originally wanted a moose hide vest but was unable to find any hides locally. Dave had the contacts and set me up with a supplier. I ordered it and had it shipped directly to Dave. In the meantime I had sketched him up a design. He was very prompt in returning any email and very helpful on suggesting but not telling me how to design. I knew from the emails that he was a perfectionist and he worried about detail, which is what I wanted. The moose hide arrived and Dave let me know it had and sent photo's of it. Although it was suitable , I could tell that it was not up to his standard. He said he would send samples of his leather and when I received them I knew why. His leather is nothing short of top quality, no blemishes, dyed right through and a little heavier. We picked out a colour and I am happy that he made the effort to send me swatches. The man does quality work and wants his leather work to stand out. Although he had my design and what I desired, he always kept me appraised of the progress. Even though we has settled on the design through a lot of emails, if he thought something could be improved or there was a better way of doing it he would contact me first. I am very happy that he did because his suggestions improved upon my design. I could not be happier. The workmanship is of the highest standard, quality of leather is excellent, his braiding is by far the neatest I have seen. If you let Dave make you any leather item you will not be disappointed, he is an artist. Thanks Dave for high standards and the odd email on our mutual interest on dog sled races during the Yukon Quest.
Wes
Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada
