GrampaJoel

The undercut at the horn looks pretty normal, and I bet it will disappear pretty quickly once you start adding leather. The building is up to you. Sounds like you have an idea what you want it to look like. All leather seat, go for it! You have some good books to get building info from. And now, you are the di Vinci in the project. Start creating. Have fun. Remember, you will make a few mistakes. Everyone does. But the craftsman uses his mistakes to better himself with. Joel

I'm don't usually check out or comment on the biker stuff, but this bib caught my eye. I think it looks pretty cool! Nice job! Now, I just have to ask from ignorance, is there a purpose to putting bibs on gas tanks? Joel

Look here. Are any of these what you are looking for? ------->> http://www.saddleonline.com/blogs/content/different-styles-western-saddle-rigging

The leather thickness Should be fine if the leather is in good condition. One ear headstalls are unsafe on snaffle bits. In my opinion. Fine on shanked bits though. Add a throat latch and all should be fine either way. Just my opinion though. Joel

They look great. Is there any problem with them staying up when you walk around? Joel

Nice job. Both times. Joel

Thanks Bob, it's nice of you to think of people here on this forum and remember to do things like this for them. It's members like you that make this forum as great as it is. thank you Joel

Looks like you still got the touch. Your good to go. I say. Good to see you back in action. Joel

A lot of old show saddles are missing the real silver Concho's. They are usually worth more than the saddle now days. Some are just lost over time. For the lace. Measure the width of the lace you need. Than buy some in the same width, and color. I prefer kangaroo lace. If the lace goes through two pieces of leather I suggest you glue them together first. The new lace will probably want to pull through and cut the leather. The new white lace will stand out where it sits next to the old. So when doing the replacement keep in mind you might have to go further than you first thought. Have fun. Joel

Soft leather edges are impossible to finish by burnishing. Turn them together inside out and sew them,or cover them, or roll them, or leave as is. Not much else you can do. Nice little clutch though! Joel

It's good to see you post again. I have been wondering where all the greats have gotten off to. Great job, as usual. You do make some mighty fine rope bags. Joel

Josh, you've come a long way in a relatively short time! Excellent work! Joel

Do you have to buy the lace, or do you have the ability to cut it yourself?

Charles, I'll post a couple of pictures to indicate the points I'm trying to make. The saddle in the picture is of basic Sheridan carving style. See the circles that encompass the flowers? That's the pattern style of the Sheridan style of leather carving. It gets pretty complicated sometimes. The holster to the left of the saddle is of a old 1880's style holster. Nice flower pattern, but not Sheridan style. More turn of the century style. As this next holster is viewed. Notice how it's carved style is similar to your pattern. Basically a Al Stohlman west coast style. A very easy on the eye style, but again, not Sheridan style. Usually incorporates west coast acorns somewhere in the design. Look these items over and I'll be back later.

No offense meant, but you aren't technically doing Sheridan style carving either. Your holster looks useful, but only so. Take a look around these forums and make a comparison between others and your holster. Suggestions, Edging needs lots of improvement. Coloring needles lots of improvement,. Finish needs lots of improvement. Style, type, practical fit need adjusting. I've been harsh I know. But I have been honest. You really have some distance to go before bragging about selling custom holsters on a market hoping to have walk-up orders. Good professional quality holster makers are almost a dime a dozen on this forum. You're not there yet friend. But please don't give up. We all start at the beginning. I'd like nothing better than see you become a high quality leather holster maker. Joel

http://www.davidmorgan.com/index.php?cPath=7_11_195. David Morgan http://www.ubraidit.com/supplies-detail.php?item=12. U braid it http://y-knotlace.com y knot lace

Vince. Here's my two cents worth. I'd say that if the saddle slips both forward and backward, that it probably does not fit the horse. Chest and rump straps will help, but I would bet the tree is crooked in the bars. I once had a mc clellan style endurance saddle that I rode and it didn't have skirts. The saddle never moved forward or back, in much distance, and it had a center fire cinch. But the saddle was custom built to the horses back. I would think a rawhide covered tree without at least a blanket in contact with a horses back might pose some future back problems for the horse. And some safety problems for all involved, horse and rider. Joel

Very nice. It's refreshing to see your work. I often seem to get stuck thinking up new ideas. Yours are inspiring. Joel

I don't recall seeing this done on wooden horns. Maybe it had something to do with the advent of the metal horn. It's not like the metal horn couldn't be covered similar to a wooden one. I don't know why, but, I guess the screw just looks out of place to me. Joel

I have wondered for a while why this horn is wrapped in this style. With the leather attached with a screw on top of the horn. I have seen it over and over again. It just seems a curiosity to me. Any one have an answer or an idea? Joel

Very nice work! Lots of expectation going on, on that belt. Joel

My self, I have more complaint about how close some buckles get to the eye. Usually because the brow band is to short. I actually prefer the buckle above or below the eye. Never near or adjacent to it. If a horse rubs it's face on something, a buckle near the eye can become a hazard to it's eye. At least in my opinion. 'Course I don't ride in the English world. LeenieBean Your halter looks good for a first time effort. Like I said, I like the buckles high, or down below the eye, nearer to the bit loop. The throat latch looks to be in the right area to me. Quite a few I have seen hang loose and might as well not even be there for all the good they would be at preventing the headstall from coming off. As far as the brow band goes, I wouldn't adjust the brow band that would bring the cheek piece any closer to the eye. The headstall I have pictured below is being worn to close to the eye for me. Lots of people think nothing of it though. Just my opinions of course. Joel

Bob, you might give this guy a call. Joel JIM PLANTT SADDLERY BRYAN, Texas 77803-1132 (979) 775-6300

Geneva Thanks for the catalogue page number and info. Thanks for the tips ASMA, Spence, and Geneva. I got the Beiler's catalog in the mail today. Yureeka! I hit the mother load. Resource catalogs are as valuable as physical tools are to me. Thanks again. Joel

While not a big fan of wolf stuff, I must say, you got the ' stare' down good.