Back in the 80's, I wore hair high, my skirts short and my shoulders padded. Shoulder pads, like high hair, are a thing of the past, except when it comes to the design of Forge-Aprons. Technically, they are not shoulder pads, they are epaulets. Unlike my football playeresque shoulders of the 80's, they are not there as a statement of style but as a functional addition designed to make Forge-Aprons the most comfortable leather apron on the market. How so? Basically, when you don a leather apron, you are putting one fourth of a cowhide on you. Depending on the leather thickness and tanning process that could weigh 2-4 lbs. Where does all that weight rest? On your shoulders! If you wear your blacksmith apron in the shop for any length of time, that strap is going to dig in, cause strain and become uncomfortable. To counter that effect, some leather apron makers provide wider straps, which add more weight. The Forge-Apron answer is epaulets. The shoulder strap weaves through the epaulet so that the strap sits on top of it. When this is on your body, the weight of the apron is disbursed across the shoulder for the width of the epaulet making it much more comfortable to wear for the long haul. So, if you are in the market for a custom leather apron that is as comfortable as it is stylish, look no further than Forge-Aprons!
