Mike Craw

Hey Company6! I agree with Ron on his advice to purchase DVD's and I especially agree with the order he recommends Jeremiah Watt and then Dale Harwood. Watt's video is fantastic and very detailed step-by-step with excellent camera work. Harwood is probably the dean of Western saddle builders, but I found that his video assumed some knowledge on the viewer's part that a beginner may not have. I would also strongly recommend repairing as many saddles as you can get your hands on. Seeing how they failed is an invaluable lesson in keeping yours from failing. Hope this helps and that you have a successful build. Mike

I believe that if you search "Rope Edge" belts or saddles, you will find a technique of using light weight cording and wrapping it through every-other hole along the edge, Then cover tightly with lightweight leather and then tightly lace the open holes with your lace on top of the leather and slick down between the cord and you will have a crazy good rope edge. Hope this helps, Mike

Hey Julie! You didn't specify price, so here goes! Jeremiah Watt (ranch2arena.com) has, in my opinion, the best DVD set on carving. It's $179.95, but before you faint you should know that it is a 3-DVD set, each DVD is 2 hours long! The videos are clear and concise with excellent camera angles and crystal clear explanations. I also happen to think Jeremiah is a hoot, but that's pretty subjective. Cary Schwarz has two excellent videos, Floral Design ($45.00) and Floral Carving ($45.00). They are both outstanding. Cary's design style differs from Jeremiah's but both are excellent instructors and all the DVD's are beautifully shot, lighted, and presented. I don't have any personal relationship with either man, and I don't get any kick-back for the recommendations. I just wish either resources was available when Al Stholman and I taught me to tool 38 years ago. Well, nobody knew what the hell a DVD was 38 years ago, but you get the idea. Hope this helps, Mike

+1 on Barry King and Clay Miller. Clay had made me special bevelers to my specifications and they are fantastic. Also Lonnie Height at Gomph-Hacbarth customized one of his 5/8" swivel knives that I use most often. Mike

Look like Gomph-Hackbarths. Mike

You know, you can make stuff out of deer skin...just sayin' Mike

Belts are what caused me to call Steve and get a Cobra!!! Mike

My Cobra 4 decided to stick in the up position today, exactly as you described. Wiz, what are ribber covers? I can't find any reference to them in the parts list that came with my machine. Also, when you say remove the faceplate, are you talking about taking all the parts off so you can completely remove it, or just the plate screws so you can see inside? Thanks! Mike

Wow! Absolutely beautiful! I'm not sure which is more impressive, the tooling or the lacing. Somebody's going to be really happy with that. He ought to ride standing up so people could see it, but that might draw too much unwanted attention. Mike

Hello from St Simons, and welcome to the Forum! Mike

Welcome from the Southeast Georgia contingent on St Simons Island!

I downloaded it and opened it in my computer, and all I get is a small windows box full of code... Mike

I can't get any of them to open. Are they in the Stohlman Saddle Making series? Thanks, Mike

Plus One for Lonnie Height/ Gomph-Hackbarth Tools 520-642-3891. He custom cut (shortened) a 5/8" barrel knife which has been my go-to for years, and Lonnie is a good a guy as you'll ever deal with.