The Art of Tooling LeatherFocusing on the fundamentals of floral carving and decorative stamping, this book is the gateway to the "Sheridan Style" and other Western leather aesthetics. It covers leather preparation (casing) and the proper use of basic tools.
Al Stohlman’s career spanned over 40 years, during which he authored dozens of instructional manuals. His books are famous for their hand-drawn illustrations and step-by-step clarity. Unlike modern manuals that rely on photography, Stohlman’s drawings highlight the specific angles of a swivel knife or the precise depth of a stamping tool in a way that photos often fail to capture. Essential Al Stohlman Books for Every Crafter al stohlman books pdf
Furthermore, the physical books often contain —large, newsprint-style pages folded into the back. You are supposed to trace these directly onto tracing film. A PDF scan flattens these patterns into a single, confusing image. Trying to print a 24-inch saddle pattern on 8.5x11 letter paper requires "tiling" and taping, which introduces errors of up to 1/8th of an inch—an eternity in leather carving. The Art of Tooling LeatherFocusing on the fundamentals
The Stohlman Encyclopedia of Saddle MakingA massive three-volume set, this is the "bible" for advanced leatherworkers. Even if you never intend to build a saddle, the techniques for structural reinforcement and heavy-duty construction are invaluable. His books are famous for their hand-drawn illustrations
Al Stohlman, a renowned saddle maker and leatherworker, has been a pioneer in the art of traditional saddle making for over 50 years. With a passion for sharing his knowledge and skills with others, Stohlman has written several books and created numerous instructional materials, including PDFs, that have become invaluable resources for leatherworkers and saddle makers around the world.