Thank you for visiting The Leather Craftsman. This site is about tradition and simplicity. Functional and usable leather goods.
The old west was not about fancy saddles and holsters. The old west was about leather goods that were functional, durable and used daily. The Leather Craftsman continues that tradition.
In the past leather craftsman produced items that were used by hard people living a hard life. They wanted a saddle or a gun holster that lasted the rest of their life. Sunday going to church attire meant you knocked the dust off you boots.
My inspiration and the purpose of The Leather Craftsman is to create leather goods similar to items found in the old west. My inspiration comes from family history and my Great Uncle Walter Lee Newell who owned and operated the Newell Saddle shop in St. Louis MO. The shop opened around 1935 and closed in 1950. Our collection of Newell Saddles currently contains seven different saddles.
I hope you enjoy this site and find it useful.
Feel free to ask questions, give opinions and suggestions concerning saddles, cleaning, restoration, leather crafting or anything else. I am more than happy to talk shop or just chat about a saddle you have.
Thank You
The Leather Craftsman
Fiebing's Leather Care Products is a favorite with The Leather Craftsman
The original shop was located at:
1629 South Broadway
St. Louis Mo.





