I like the idea of wearing a shop apron, but I’ve never been able to get in the habit, for a number of reasons. Some guys swear by them, and some have truly special ones. Jögge Sundqvist wears an amazing apron hand-crafted from reindeer hide. It covers his torso and thighs, features stitched stars, and is almost as awesome as Surolle himself.

As for me, I’ve just been wearing a little leather bib apron when I carve spoons lately. There are many times that the spoon gets braced against my sternum, and the leather provides some padding and at least prevents wear to the flannel. I discovered these leather pads at a local Amish store. They’re made as pads for shoeing horses, so they come in various sizes and thicknesses up to over 1/4″ (7mm) thick. They’re natural veg-tan leather. If you don’t have an Amish store around, they can be found at various places online. Here’s one that has a pretty good selection.

I think the pad that I use for my bib cost around $5 at the store. So, while you may be able to buy a whole side for a cheaper price per square inch, these things are convenient and even the existing shape can be useful. I can see folding one in half and sewing or riveting the edges together for a sheath.

I’ve also been using one on my leg when carving lettering or chip carving, like having part of a super heavy apron just where I need it. And it’s easy to throw into a pack. With a rough side and a smooth side, they can work great as strops. Some are so thick that the edge could be shaped to serve as a slip strop for the inner side of gouges and v-tools.

Anyway, there are all sorts of potential uses beyond horse feet. The rounded end could make a nice pattern for the end of a bowl hollow. Vise and clamp jaw liners? Leather elbow patches for your sport coat? Loincloth?

However you use them, happy carving!