I hope that this post finds you and your family well.

At the moment I am still able to complete and process orders. My buckle and leather supplier is still operating a limited service and should still be able to deliver everything that I need. And the Post Office is still carrying out deliveries. And as I work alone I can still continue to work. As my workshop is in one of my fields I am keeping my social distancing at around 200m!
Anyway. On a better note! As a big thankyou to our NHS and hard...
Continue reading ...

https://youtu.be/rdWIbMKd0YI
Continue reading ...

Just a few notes on white stitching on my handmade leather goods.
Firstly, white stitching does look nice on many of the leather colours that I use. That being said - it doesn't stay white for long!
White thread is actually described as whitey/brown thread. See even the manufacture can't keep it white for long!
By the time that I have waxed it - I keep a different piece of wax especially for white thread - it starts to take on a slightly yellowy/brown hint. Not much, but I can see it when it is ...
Continue reading ...

• Bubblegum pink
• 
  
• Espresso
• 
  
• Havana
• 
  
• Jade Green
• 
  
• Lime Green
• 
  
• Olive Tan
• 
  
• Plum
• 
  
• Purple
• 
  
• Walnut
• 
  
• Olive Green
• 
  
• Black
• 
  

Continue reading ...

Continue reading ...

This is one of my Multi-Length Leather Dog Leads with the addition of a free running solid brass ring.
But what is it?
A running ring is placed between the trigger hook and the handle. It is free to move around along the length of the lead, but it will not slide off as it is smaller than the trigger hook and handle.
What can it do?
If you attach your trigger hook to the ring you have a nice slip collar. Great for when your dog returns and you find that they have lost their collar! (I make these ...
Continue reading ...

Sighthounds such as Greyhounds, Wolfhounds, Saluki, and Whippets, tend to have long narrow necks and need a different style of collar to other breeds.

This Sighthound Collar is made from Full Grain London colour Bridle leather that is strong and yet soft and pliable. It is a martingale or half check dog collar with a leather check loop and solid brass rings.
The inside of the Sighthound dog collar is padded with a soft leather helping to protect your dog's neck. A thick layer of neoprene is use...
Continue reading ...

I have had a change around with my shipping. I now have 2 options for UK shipping;

Free Delivery with standard crafting time of up to 8 weeks,
and,
Rush Delivery with up to 4 weeks shipping time. I will bump this order up my to-do list and try and make your order quicker.

Obviously this will only work if most people choose the free delivery option. Too many rush orders and I won't be able to keep up! Makes it a bit pointless then and I will have to have a re-think.

Anyway. I will see how it goes.Si

Continue reading ...

Ball up a pair of tights or stockings in to a ball and use it to buff up your leather. It works especially well on patent leather.

Continue reading ...

Midwinter is finally upon us!

Use the voucher code XMAS2016 for a discount from www.oaksidesaddlery.co.uk

Continue reading ...

Everything that I make is stitched by hand. That's right, I stitch through the average 7mm of leather using traditional, time-honoured skills of the saddler.
I use 4 cord linen thread which I wax before stitching. 4 cord/18 linen thread is a bit thicker than the norm but makes for a stronger stitch.
I stitch using a double-hand technique. This has one piece of thread with a needle on each end. Each needle is passed through the same hole from opposite sides, crossing in the middle, before movin...
Continue reading ...

My range of handmade leather camera straps have gradually been increasing. They now include my signature plaited leather camera wrist straps.
Plaited leather still keeps the strength and durability of a leather camera strap, but adds the uniqueness of the plaited leather camera strap. Hand stitched for the ultimate style and individuality as always.
Colours include the standard black; Dark Brown which is referred to as Dark Havana; Australian Nut which as a red hue to it; and Tan which was once...
Continue reading ...

How do you measure your Dog’s existing collar to get the right sized Handmade Collar from Oakside Saddlery?

First take your a look at your current collar on your dog. Does it fit OK? If not now is the time to make so changes. Make a note of which hole the collar is buckled to and then remove the collar from the dog.

Lay the collar out flat and measure from the inside edge of the buckle to the hole that it was buckled to.

You can see the mark on the collar where it was buckled to on this pictur...

Continue reading ...

I have changed the way that I post your orders to you.
I now use myHermes for all deliveries including UK, Europe, and I|international.
Why have I changed?
Well obviously cost is an issue! Which means that I can still offer free UK shipping. But also Hermes is a tracked service, which enables you to find out where your order is and when you should expect it. This is also tracked for overseas deliveries as well.
For my benefit Hermes will collect my shipments from my workshop, or I can just drop t...
Continue reading ...

A new belt that has just joined the Oakside Saddlery line up. The Hereford handmade leather belt is a wide leather belt with a double or twin pronged buckle and two leather loops.

Buckle

The Hereford has a large double prong West End roller buckle fitted for the ultimate in form and security. The two prongs buckle into matching holes making for a stylish finish to a beautiful hand-crafted leather belt.  This twin pronged buckle is available in two widths; a 50mm (2 inch) wide buckle, and the mo...

Continue reading ...

So you have problems when you buy a belt! It is either too long and has a huge long bit hanging round your waist, or it buckles on the last hole and sticks out! Neither of which improve on your style.
So to get around this why not order handmade? And to be honest it probably wont cost you any more than a fancy shop brought one.

So what do you get when buying from me?

A Bespoke service
Every item that I make is made to order. That's right I don't stock any 'standard' sizes.

Made to Measure
As I only...
Continue reading ...

Time for a look at one of my new belts. The quick release Oxford handmade leather belt with Marshalsay Buckle.

Leather

As always this Oxford Leather belt uses to grade bridle butt leather from Metropolitan Leather. At between 3.5 – 4 mm it is some of the best leather you can buy. It is very supple but supremely strong. A super smooth finish to the grain making for a true one of a kind leather belt. There are not too many markings on the leather, but that is what makes leather unique.

Buckle

The...

Continue reading ...

...
Continue reading ...

Personalisation of any item is a good thing! And how better to express this than by ordering handmade.

Colour

The three leather dog collars above are; from left, Dark Havana, Black, and Australian Nut.Dark Havana is a dark brown coloured leather, Australian Nut has a reddish hint to it, and black is, well, black! 

Stitching is carried out by hand and can either blend in or contrast. So above we have brown stitching on a dark Havana collar, Yellow stitching on an Australian Nut collar, and on the...

Continue reading ...

When you place an order with me I will reply (normally within 48 hours) with a confirmation of your order. If you do not get this email it probably means that I have either not received your order, or, that your email details have not come through properly.
So if you have not heard from me after a couple of days please contact me.

Si

www.oaksidesaddlery.co.uk
www.oaksidebelts.co.uk
Continue reading ...

Continue reading ...

Continue reading ...

Continue reading ...

Continue reading ...

Continue reading ...

Continue reading ...

The point when making leather is the part of a belt or strap that passes through the buckle. There are a variety of designs and styles that a Cordwainer can use, and sometimes traditional methods dictate what style of point a strap should have. Nowadays, on leather belts and the like, this is just a case of personal preference.

There are two styles of point that I use and both are traditional designs.

Cathedral Point

The cathedral point, or harness point, is probably the most common point end in...

Continue reading ...

Continue reading ...

What is a Skinny Belt?

A Skinny Belt is usually any belt that is less than 1 inch wide. And although you can buy many printed, cloth, and other fabrics, I am obviously going to look at Leather Skinny Belts.

Many of my belts can be made as a Skinny Belts as many of the buckles that I use are available in these sizes. Check out the following belts which can be less than 1 inch wide.

• Lincoln Leather Belt 

  • ½ inch wide leather belt

  • 5/8 inch wide leather belt

  • ¾ inch wide leather belt

  • 7/8 inch wide leath...

Continue reading ...

The Lincoln handmade Leather Belt appeals to the Equestrian market due to its use of a solid brass horseshoe buckle from Abbey England, but it need not stop there! The Lincoln Belt is at home with any casual style and is well suited to jeans as it has a maximum belt width of 1 ½ inches. Not only that but the same horseshoe buckle can drop down to ½ inch or 12mm for a skinny belt if required.

Leather

As always my Lincoln Leather Handmade Belt uses top quality English bridle Leather that is aro...

Continue reading ...

The usual reason is that many belt buckles are named after towns. This is more than likely that that style of buckle originated in that town.

If a buckle is not named then my naming convention goes to the town from where my first order for that belt originated.

Simple really!

So if you want to be the first with a belt named after your town, pop over to Oakside’s Custom Belts and design your one=of-a-kind masterpiece!

Si

www.oaksidebelts.co.uk

www.oaksidesaddlery.co.uk

Continue reading ...

Measuring your dog for a slip collar

The measurement that I require to make your leather handmade slip collar is not the same as a traditional collar. This is due to the way that a leather slip collar fits on your dog. As a slip collar does not open it needs to be able to pass completely over your dog's head without pinching or rubbing.

To measure you will need;

• A fabric tape measure,

• and your dog of course!

Simply take your tape and measure around the largest part of your dog's head....

Continue reading ...

Measuring your dog for a Handmade Leather Dog Collar from Oakside Saddlery couldn't be easier!

Method 2

Using your dogs existing collar to measure for your new handmade Leather Dog Collar. You will need the following items;

• Your dog's collar.

• A fabric tape measure or other ruler.

How To

Before removing your dog's collar check the fit and note which hole that the collar is buckled to.

• Remove the collar and lay it flat.

• Lay your measure alongside the collar.

• Take the measurement from the inside of the o...

Continue reading ...

To measure your dog for your new Handmade Leather Dog Collar from Oakside is quite simple really.

Method 1

You will need the following items;

• A fabric tape measure (this can be in inches or centimetres)

• Two fingers

• And your dog

Hopefully you have all three of these otherwise you may have to improvise!

Place the fabric tape around your dogs neck where the collar will go. The tape needs to have enough slack to easily slide two fingers underneath it. This is the size of the collar that you should order...

Continue reading ...

Continue reading ...

The Sighthound Collar

A sighthound is a type of hound that catches its prey by using shear speed and agility. It uses, as the name would suggest, its keen vision to keep this prey in sight at all times. Sighthounds have a long, lean, and flexible body; long legs and neck, and a deep chest. This all comes together to create the perfect, high-speed, hunter.

Breeds of dog associated with being a Sighthound include;

• Greyhound

• Whippet,

• Lurcher

• Afghan Hound

• Borzoi

• Wolfhound

• Saluki

To name but a few.

Sighthoun...

Continue reading ...

My standard dog lead is a traditional leather lead made with practicality in mind.

A simple but useful leather dog lead that does exactly what it is meant to do!

Leather

The leather is my standard bridle leather, very strong and durable, perfect for my leather dog leads. Why have a nice collar and then scrimp on the lead? There are a variety of lengths;

• Short 24 inches (60 cm)

• Medium 36 inches (91 cm)

• Long 48 inches (121 cm)

• Extra Long (152 cm) (I'll cover this one in a later post)

And a variety of w...

Continue reading ...

Plaited collar

My plaited dog collars are made from English Bridle leather, the pre-eminent leather available. It is hard wearing, long-lasting and has an excellent finish. My plaited leather collars are available in either Black, Dark Havana, or Australian Nut Bridle leather with the entire collar made from a single piece of leather, with no joins in the plait.

Buckle

The buckles that I use are either; solid brass roller buckles or stainless steel West End Buckles. I use stainless steel West En...

Continue reading ...

As a working dog handler you have realised that you have a peculiar set of needs for your dog's leads. A long lead for searching vehicles, a short lead for passing through busy traffic, and a medium length lead for searching people! So what do you do? Having lots of different leads for each purpose? Not so easy when you have travelled far from your dog van. What you need is a Multi-length lead from Oakside Saddlery.

My Multi-length leather dog lead can be adjusted from short, medium, and long...

Continue reading ...

Hi all,

My name is Simon, I am the Cordwainer at Oakside. My two websites are www.oaksidesaddlery.co.uk and www.oaksidebelts.co.uk. I specialise in hand stitching heavy English Bridle leather and making bespoke leather dog collars and leads, horse bridles and hand made leather Belts.

I hope to be able to use this blog to inform you about some of the products that I make, give you an insight into leather and the skills that I use, and to also provide some advice to help you make an informed deci...
Continue reading ...