High quality apron recommendation?

[Fixall]

I’m in the market for a nice apron. I’d like something more premium than what I’ve been using, and don’t mind paying.

I’d like something the thicker side, while still being supple (hard ask, I know). I don’t like the heavily finished leathers that almost look like they have a plastic coating. I like to see some grain.

I’m also not a fan of frills like hammer loops. Maybe a single pencil pocket, but that’s about it.

Maybe something in buffalo or water buffalo??

Anyone have some suggestions?

 

[Forrest Taylor]

My wife bought me one from Garriot Wade. Pretty heavy duty and well built.

 

[fitzo]

You're likely looking at a lot of weight in heavier leather. Recommend you get the straps that don't hang a loop around your neck.

My wife made my shop apron out of heavy canvas, ankle length. It has held up very well and is a lot lighter than the shorter leather apron that has just hung there for years.

 

[Fixall]

I'm currently using an apron with a cross back system like this. It's pretty comfortable, but the leather leaves a lot to be desired.



I'd prefer something in a full grain leather, rather than a split grain or suede.

 

[SwissHeritageCo]

Another vote for suede. Not the biggest fan of suede but for this use the flexibility helps.

 

[Fixall]

Another vote for suede. Not the biggest fan of suede but for this use the flexibility helps.

The problem with suede for me is it catches and traps a lot of dust. I work with material that occasionally has asbestos in it and like the limit the risk as much as I can.

 

[Fixall]

I feel like I remember Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith having a wonderful apron made from buffalo leather. I may be misremembering though.

 

[Fixall]

Also…. I think we might have a Stacy imposter!

S Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmi

 

[Richard338]

I feel like I remember Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith having a wonderful apron made from buffalo leather. I may be misremembering though.

Stacy shows his in post #5.

Post in thread 'Aprons(?)'

Nov 26, 2021

I don’t need it.
I’d rather just wear an old jacket or shirt
It adds no value to my working
It’s a bit too heavy and not easy to move in

I move around a lot in the shop and I like freedom of movement

My thoughts exactly, although I did buy a leather welding apron at Canadian Tire and wear it a few times to see if I liked it or if it added any benefit. But it just pulled on my neck and was uncomfortable, restricted my mobility, limited access to my pockets, and just generally made everything more difficult for me.

• David Mary

 

[Fixall]

Stacy shows his in post #5.

Post in thread 'Aprons(?)'

Nov 26, 2021

I don’t need it.
I’d rather just wear an old jacket or shirt
It adds no value to my working
It’s a bit too heavy and not easy to move in

I move around a lot in the shop and I like freedom of movement

My thoughts exactly, although I did buy a leather welding apron at Canadian Tire and wear it a few times to see if I liked it or if it added any benefit. But it just pulled on my neck and was uncomfortable, restricted my mobility, limited access to my pockets, and just generally made everything more difficult for me.

• David Mary

That apron looks perfect!

I’ve only ever had two kickbacks on a table saw in my 20+ years of use…. But you should see the scar on my stomach.

Now that I use a buffer almost daily (although not on blades) it just has me thinking.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Yes, I think they were shut down by the super mods.
I have had Facebook imposters in the past, too. When Facebook was notified, they said that it didn't violate their rules for someone to pretend to be me as long as they don't commit fraud. How is pretending to be me not fraud???

The linked post is indeed my go-to apron.
I make them from Bill Moran's water buffalo hides. Soft and very flexible, but tough as a water buffalo. Very comfortable.
I have several cut out and ready to finish. I would gladly send you one. Send me an email.

 

[Fixall]

Yes, I think they were shut down by the super mods.
I have had Facebook imposters in the past, too. When Facebook was notified, they said that it didn't violate their rules for someone to pretend to be me as long as they don't commit fraud. How is pretending to be me not fraud???

The linked post is indeed my go-to apron.
I make them from Bill Moran's water buffalo hides. Soft and very flexible, but tough as a water buffalo. Very comfortable.
I have several cut out and ready to finish. I would gladly send you one. Send me an email.

No offense to any Facebook mod, but I find that fairly asinine. I could see someone easily being tricked by how similar that name was.

I would gladly take one Stacey! I’m a small guy (5’8”) if that matters. I absolutely insist on paying paying what you would consider retail though please.

 

[Greenberg Woods]

Yes, I think they were shut down by the super mods.
I have had Facebook imposters in the past, too. When Facebook was notified, they said that it didn't violate their rules for someone to pretend to be me as long as they don't commit fraud. How is pretending to be me not fraud???

The linked post is indeed my go-to apron.
I make them from Bill Moran's water buffalo hides. Soft and very flexible, but tough as a water buffalo. Very comfortable.
I have several cut out and ready to finish. I would gladly send you one. Send me an email.

Hey Stacy, if Buffalo hide aprons are on offer and you want any burl, I've been having basically the exact same issue of late..my suede apron is DIRTY

 

[Lorien]

if I were in the market for an apron, the first guy I'd talk to about it would be Horsewright

 

[Horsewright]

if I were in the market for an apron, the first guy I'd talk to about it would be Horsewright

Thank you sir. Been away a couple of days so hadn't responded but saw this the other day. I have made an apron one time for a guy here on BF that was a wood carver. He wanted some reinforcing pieces strategically placed. Got a pic somewhere. Anyhoo ya know what's weird? When I saw your post I was cutting out a pair of chaps. Out of what kind of leather? Water Buffalo of course:

What makes that weird. I haven't made a pair of chaps on about a year and the very instant you mention it here we are. Weird.

 

[Fixall]

Thank you sir. Been away a couple of days so hadn't responded but saw this the other day. I have made an apron one time for a guy here on BF that was a wood carver. He wanted some reinforcing pieces strategically placed. Got a pic somewhere. Anyhoo ya know what's weird? When I saw your post I was cutting out a pair of chaps. Out of what kind of leather? Water Buffalo of course:

What makes that weird. I haven't made a pair of chaps on about a year and the very instant you mention it here we are. Weird.

I bought a water buffalo belt from a Boy Scout troop at a farmers market about ten years ago and it’s still the best belt I own! Blows all the “hanks” belts I’ve purchased out of the water.

 

[Horsewright]

I bought a water buffalo belt from a Boy Scout troop at a farmers market about ten years ago and it’s still the best belt I own! Blows all the “hanks” belts I’ve purchased out of the water.

Yep water buffalo is a great leather. It comes in two tannages and we make belts out of both. It comes in a firm veg tan tannage that works well for belts and all types of strapping.

We also use a lighter more flexible chrome tanned tannage. Not only for chaps and leggings:

But we overlay on holsters, belts sheaths etc and standalone as notebook covers wallets etc. Mrs Horsewright fixing fence on the ranch with holster belt and sheath of water buffalo overlay:

My holster here is overlay and the belt is the veg tan water buff:

Notebook and wallet:

 

[Fixall]

Yep water buffalo is a great leather. It comes in two tannages and we make belts out of both. It comes in a firm veg tan tannage that works well for belts and all types of strapping.

We also use a lighter more flexible chrome tanned tannage. Not only for chaps and leggings:

But we overlay on holsters, belts sheaths etc and standalone as notebook covers wallets etc. Mrs Horsewright fixing fence on the ranch with holster belt and sheath of water buffalo overlay:

My holster here is overlay and the belt is the veg tan water buff:

Notebook and wallet:

Expect a PM about commissioning a couple of belts soon….

Beautiful work, as always!

 

[SwissHeritageCo]

Yep water buffalo is a great leather. It comes in two tannages and we make belts out of both. It comes in a firm veg tan tannage that works well for belts and all types of strapping.

We also use a lighter more flexible chrome tanned tannage. Not only for chaps and leggings:

But we overlay on holsters, belts sheaths etc and standalone as notebook covers wallets etc. Mrs Horsewright fixing fence on the ranch with holster belt and sheath of water buffalo overlay:

My holster here is overlay and the belt is the veg tan water buff:

Notebook and wallet:

Man I like the bevel you put on those edges. I just hate the idea of having to sharpen those bevelers on rods but damn Dave, you're tempting me!

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Mine have a semi-circular flap at the groin to add a layer of extra protection there, and a pentagonal shape chest pocket which adds an extra bit at the aorta area.
The neck strap and waist strap snap on and have multiple snaps to allow adjustment as well as making them reversable for lefties.
My water buffalo is natural soft tan, black dyed, with the grain side out. (the photo has a one-piece neck strap, which fits me, but I make it adjustable for others).
The groin protector is my favorite feature because hot stuff goes flying at the level when forging. It also allows the leg slit to be higher making the apron more supple when you have one leg up, like in the photo. When doing a demo, I begin with a talk about safety when forging and always end with, "But THIS is the most important piece of safety gear I wear." and point to the flap. It always gets a big laugh.
The legs are somewhat like short chaps. I have made them in various lengths depending on what the user will be doing most of the time. I put chap straps at the knees on one with full length legs.
I have an apron to finish that I cut out of kudu hide somewhere in the shop, too. I need to find it and do it along with the water buffalo ones.