Dees and Dat

[LAPat]

I have two catalogs open, Weaver and OhioTB, and I am trying to figure out this dee thing.

The dees I have gotten from Weaver for dog collars are big, round and horribly clunky. Now I know that hardware is part of what makes a piece work, and I am trying to find less clunky dees that will work for collars. Although I rode for years, I can't quite see in my minds eye what exactly makes a saddle dee different, except that it might or might not have a flat side? I like a little longer dee, it's easier to clip a leash onto. But is there a physics issue here in terms of strength and balance? I'm also wondering if I could use the Weaver Saddle collar Dee for leather martingales?

I remember someone here on the boards talking about an Hermes purse or something, and they made a point that I never forgot. Hardware is key in making something unique and revealing the quality of the piece. Big time makers have their own hardware struck. I can't do that, but I do want to find something strong but elegant for these collars.

Thanks in advance as always. Wish I could give back as much as I get from you all.

Pat

[Kevin]

I feel your pain. At one time Weaver had pretty nice dees for dog collars, but that didn't last long. For a while it seemed like everytime I ordered dees they were different. I have at least 3 different styles in my 1" drawer and if I need more than one for a project, I have to hunt and make sure they all match.

If you do find a good source, please let us in on it.

Thanks, Kevin

[kfiretwo]

I feel your pain. At one time Weaver had pretty nice dees for dog collars, but that didn't last long. For a while it seemed like everytime I ordered dees they were different. I have at least 3 different styles in my 1" drawer and if I need more than one for a project, I have to hunt and make sure they all match.

If you do find a good source, please let us in on it.

Thanks, Kevin

pat

here is a link to a hardware co i order from

keystone mfg. & supply co

4696 springside court

allentown pa 18104

tele # (610) 366-8818

fax # (610) 366-8825

e-mail addy info@kmsinc.net

web addy www.kmsinc.net

hope this helps they make many styles of snaps rings dees clasps buckles.

if u cant find what ur looking for they some times will make it for u

jim

[Go2Tex]

Weaver has a big selection of dees, sizes, thickness, material. I can't believe you can't find what you need from them. A dog collar, or a horse collar, the only dee I wouldn't trust are the welded ones in real small sizes, but hey, if you need hefty dees for a hefty dog, get the big ones. Or, if you want nicer looking stuff, use the beveled stainless steel. If you like brass, they have a few of those 325m types which are a little nicer looking, or buy fancier buckles, remove the tongue and they make great dees.

Or, am I missing something?

[esantoro]

Weaver has a big selection of dees, sizes, thickness, material. I can't believe you can't find what you need from them. A dog collar, or a horse collar, the only dee I wouldn't trust are the welded ones in real small sizes, but hey, if you need hefty dees for a hefty dog, get the big ones. Or, if you want nicer looking stuff, use the beveled stainless steel. If you like brass, they have a few of those 325m types which are a little nicer looking, or buy fancier buckles, remove the tongue and they make great dees.

Or, am I missing something?

It does seem to be true with Weaver that the same type Dee in a different finish could end up being a different gauge wire altogether and the specs different from what's printed in the catalog. I've called up beforehand to have someone take a caliper to the stock before placing my order. The 325 and 325M dees appear to be ok.

ed

[LAPat]

Thanks for all the feedback. Here's the thing, maybe I didn't explain myself well, sorry.

On commercial collars I see nice dees that are not as thick as my thumb. The dees I got from Weaver are very thick, and now that I'm looking at thickness maybe that will help. I have never seen, in over ten years of training dogs, a dee failure and I see a lot of collars with thin dees. Now I have a pony dog, but most people don't. And the few that do are usually easy to spot by their desire for thick collars, pinch collars, remote collars and short leashes. I have seen leather collars snap and my own dog broke a slip chain collar of a substantial thickness once, but no dees.

I have not found any cool dees yet, but I'm looking. Once I got a lot of collars at goodwill and took all the dees and buckles off, and they were great. So I think it's the difference maybe between what you can get if you buy thousands versus a dozen or so?

Pat

[ruthless]

I hear you!!! I've found the that I like English cast brass dees as opposed to Taiwanese ones. There's quite a big difference, and as usual it's the more expensive one that I prefer! I wonder if it's the Taiwanese kind you're looking for, they're really thick.

There's images of the two different ones here. It's a company in Australia, so probably no use to you unfortunately.

[CitizenKate]

Here's a vendor I recently bought D-rings from. They offer different weights of material.

http://www.strapworks.com/Metal_D_Ring_p/mdr.htm

Kate