Don101 Report post Posted February 4, 2008 Well after months of slowly puting this saddle together its finished, it was a good learning prosess as the next one i do there would be a few different things and ways i would go about it, for the first i am happy, let me know what you think, Don Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TracyMoss Report post Posted February 4, 2008 Why the felt pad? Looks nice. I am curious, it seems as though there aren't any plugs on your saddle, or dutchmen whatever you want to call them. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Don101 Report post Posted February 4, 2008 ive built the saddle in the old fashioned way the skirts are pluged around the borders and i prefere the felt as it was easier avaliable and is easier to work with than shearing Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TracyMoss Report post Posted February 4, 2008 The skirts look awful thin to be plugged, maybe I just don't understand where your "borders" are. Please explain. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Don101 Report post Posted February 4, 2008 the skirts are just over 7mm thick, maybe its looking that way because the felt does pop up along the edge a little Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jordan Report post Posted February 4, 2008 Looks great to me course I am not a rider or a maker, as a matter of fact I don't think I could even come close to making something as nice. Jordan Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TracyMoss Report post Posted February 4, 2008 Well, Good Job on the saddle. I think it really turned out nice and the lines are pretty clean, not always easy on true square skirts. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pete Report post Posted February 4, 2008 REALLY nice job. Would you please take some close-ups of the seat tooling and the really neat border stamping on the side jockeys? Great job!! Bravo pete Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ClayB Report post Posted February 4, 2008 Hey Don, I think it turned out great! It's been fun watching you work on this and I bet it feels great to have it done. Do you get to try it out anytime soon? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JRedding Report post Posted February 4, 2008 Don, It looks great, especially for a first, you did say that's your first didn't you? It's a lot better job than I did on the first one that's for sure. I really don't know what to say , you picked a difficult saddle to build and you nailed it, the difficulty level on that for a first saddle was high and it looks great,fit and finish are nice. Congragulations, are you ready to do it again ? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Don101 Report post Posted February 4, 2008 @ all thanks for the kindness, yes it was my first i had no lessons no help just restored old ones and spent alot of time looking at clayBs web page which was a real big help to see how i could fit and make my patterns to fit the tree and style i was going for i read a couple of books on how to build saddles which helped in a way but not much help as regards to the old style building, Clay i dont ride much now and then the reason i wanted it was for reenactment more than every day riding, thanks again for the pics on your page it did help alot, Don Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
buffalo Report post Posted February 4, 2008 Looks real good to me. I've only made a couple myself, so I know what a good feeling of accomplishment it is. Congrats on a fine job. Regards Buff Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bruce johnson Report post Posted February 4, 2008 Don, That is really cool. You picked a saddle with every difficult variation and did a great job. It looks great. Take it in, you deserve it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Don101 Report post Posted February 4, 2008 Pete ill get some close ups done for you its 2350 at the moment here so the lighting isnt that great, Don Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TracyMoss Report post Posted February 4, 2008 Don, Once again looks good, didn't mean to sound critical. The picture was just a little decieving, but I am very impressed with your workmanship. Thanks for sharing. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
David Report post Posted February 4, 2008 Don, I know nothing about saddles and even less about horses. But that leather work is beautiful. Thanks so much for sharing your accomplishment with us. It is terrific job. I'm envious. Dave Theobald Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hidemechanic Report post Posted February 4, 2008 Fantastic job Don, I want to see a close up of that seat tooling. I think you made me jelous that I didn't think of a design like that. I love that way down south west stuff. Way to go! GH Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alexblow Report post Posted February 4, 2008 Hi Don,it's not talking a lot to me,but i think it's a beautifull first one.It's not like just make a belt...You know what i mean.The tooling on the back of the sadlle seems awesome (more pics?). Anyway, great work ! Alex Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Don101 Report post Posted February 4, 2008 Tracy i didnt take it the wrong way as i wouldnt even class my self as high as a novice although it was a great learning prosses, and through critic you can learn how others may do things or make a job easier or better, there are lots of topics in the forum about saddles although i cant talk or reply all the time through lack of experience or knowlidge i am abel to pick important tips up which helps alot also, Don Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Warren Report post Posted February 5, 2008 Don, that is absolutely beautiful! I love it and I'm very envious! You do such great work. I hope if I ever try building saddles, my first one turns out half as good. Great job! Warren Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Don101 Report post Posted February 5, 2008 Pete here is a close up of the border tooling and you can see the hand stitching on the skirts, also a pic of the seat carving, Don Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Timbo Report post Posted February 5, 2008 It's absolutely beautiful Don!!! Great job all the way around. Been waiting for the finished pics. It is very encouraging for those of us who someday hope to build our first saddles. Thank you for all the pics. Tim Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hidemechanic Report post Posted February 5, 2008 Don, where did you get your tree? What other resourses did you use for technique on fitting parts? GH Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cowboy Crafts Online Report post Posted February 5, 2008 I agree with everyone else very nice saddle. You did a great job on your first one. Ashley Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bob Report post Posted February 5, 2008 Don, that is exceptionally nice work. My first saddle don't look that good and it weren't that difficult either. I like the nice scalloped edge on the felt. Very nice. You sure went the extra mile to make those concho's like that, and they look pretty good for not having a punch. One thing you may have done to cover up the line, what I do sometimes is using a small pear shader on each pedal. So it looks like a flower. The line would mostly be gone. Very nice work Don, hope to see more of your inspiring work here. Bob Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
