stirrup leather buckles

[bruce johnson]

Kind of curious what everyone is using for stirrup leather buckles. I have mostly used the Blevins without the hinge, and am wondering if there are any advantages to the hinged Blevins?

I have also used quite a few of the Veach Fast Buckles. The barrel racers and some cutters tend to like them. The Fast Buckles are shorter, so there is more flexibility in the leathers for shorter legged riders, and they do seem to ride over a latigo without catching more than the Blevins. Disadvantage is that they need a keeper for the tail of the leather to keep the bottom pin in line.

I have not used the Superior buckle system, and would like some feedback on them. Also any experiences with the Blevins clones in stainless would be appreciated. I know a few companies are making them. Thanks,

Bruce Johnson

[greg gomersall]

Kind of curious what everyone is using for stirrup leather buckles. I have mostly used the Blevins without the hinge, and am wondering if there are any advantages to the hinged Blevins?

I have also used quite a few of the Veach Fast Buckles. The barrel racers and some cutters tend to like them. The Fast Buckles are shorter, so there is more flexibility in the leathers for shorter legged riders, and they do seem to ride over a latigo without catching more than the Blevins. Disadvantage is that they need a keeper for the tail of the leather to keep the bottom pin in line.

I have not used the Superior buckle system, and would like some feedback on them. Also any experiences with the Blevins clones in stainless would be appreciated. I know a few companies are making them. Thanks,

Bruce Johnson

Bruce when I use blevins I like to use the old hinged style as I feel it allows for a little more flex and also as the holes get stretched you can wiggle it around a little to line them up but I try to steer my customers towards the Superior buckle. It has been around longer than the blevins but never got the marketing behind it in the old days it was called a Kreager Buckle. I like it due to the fact that it is so narrow you do not have that wide hard bulk against your shin. A few of us have been pestering Sonny Felkins to only have 2 holes in the Superior buckle instead of 4, he is open to the idea so if enough of us mention it to him he may change it.

thanks for the P.M. It takes all kinds. Greg

[Blake]

Hi Bruce

I have been using the Blevins clone from K&S for several years. I like the SS but will admit that they are a bit heavy.I'm on my third set of leathers on one saddle and still using the original buckles but I have replaced the sleeves

I like the superior buckle too and I still have a couple of pair with just two posts. I only use them when requested.

I really don't care much for the Veach buckles. They seem a little hard on the stirrup leathers to me but if the post were a little heavier I could be persuaded to change my mind.

I used the Brass Blevins for a short time and was pretty happy with them until the SS came along.

I will also admit that My favorite saddle has the leathers laced so that it is too big of a pain to change so nobody wants to use it.

Blake