GrampaJoel

Very nice. Great leg design.

That is very cool!! I think it is a very cool idea for those that would like to have a maul like that. A gold or silver choncho would be nice, but this with it's colors stands out more. IMO. I served in the Army, and I did the Vietnam tour thingy, but I'd rather not remember. So Ill have to take a pass on this one. But I still think it looks very Cool!! Joel

Campbells Keystone Splitter & Skive Well three weeks and $600.00+ later my new splitter came in. It is Just what I thought it would be, but somewhat smaller. I guess I expected it to be larger for some reason. This is what I bought. Now can someone help me out with the fine points of it's use. 1. what do the numbers next to the twist handle represent? The numbers run from 1-7. 2. what is the purpose of the little brass bar being able to move? 3. any tips as to working with this tool would be much appreciated. I did ask this question at another forum, but I thought I'd ask here too. Thanks Joel

VERY COOL idea!!! I'm guessing it is a rivet on snap. Is that correct? Do you need special tools to put them on? Who will be producing them for you? Joel

Pretty cool! You did a very nice job. I like the horse carving also. Did you do that from a photo of your horse? I'm jealous, I can't wait to get started on my first saddle. Joel

Wow, from looking at the skirts I can see that there could be a pivot point right at the stirrup leather . If the saddle tree is raised off the bars because the fender leathers where thicker than the bar cut outs. Could this be where the saddle is pivoting when cinched down tightly, causing the rear of the tree to rise up? Could be a bad pinch point also I would think. Just my thoughts. I'm not a saddle builder yet, but I have done some repairs. Joel

No just on their web site. I do like what I have seen in their photos though. I might buy a few to try. When I get some more money to spend. They are in south, south Idaho, and when I'm there, I'm way up north near Coeur d'Alene. Joel

Mechanical Cowgirl Is the place you are talking about called Basin Tack Company? How much stirrups do the powder coated stirrups cost? Thanks Joel

Ed I tried to order the surface plate you have shown, and it seems that (per ENCO) the shipping code only applies to items that can be UPS shipped. I called ENCO when I tried to order and kept getting the $170.00 charge for shipping. They set me straight. The shipping price for the $89.00 surface plate is $170.00 to my destination in SOCAL by Truck. But thanks for the heads up. I started an account with them anyways. Joel

I have order from Springfield and have has great service. Once I bought a side of leather they had on sale on their web site just on impulse. When the leather got to my place I opened the box and somehow a great big smile grew on my face. It was a beautiful side of leather. I made some chaps with it. A customer saw the leather and bought the chaps and used them as a wall decoration in their home. They don't even ride horses. Joel

Thank you Frank for the link to a very expensive piece of wood! Yowsa!! It was however, the very tool I was asking about. And thank you for the inside tip info on the hammer handle. This is what I really needed. I can afford a hammer handle. Bob, a big thank you to you too buddy! I have antler and use it for rubbing and burnishing often. I never thought to use it as a saddle stick also. Have antler, will try! It's so wonderful to have folks willing to share their inside trade working knowledge with someone they have never met. Perhaps one day I can return the favors. I am truly grateful. Joel

Mr. Seidel, To comment on the beauty of this saddle would be superfluous. As a want to be saddle builder, I don't have the words anyway. Just looking at all the work, and skill that went into making a saddle such as this is almost more than I can comprehend. Especially knowing (from first hand experience), how one slip of the tool can destroy a piece of work. May I ask of you Mr. Seidel,( or anyone that knows) is this saddle an in-skirt rigging design? If so, what is the line of stitching going up at the back billet for? Thanks . Joel

Frank, thank you!! The bow rub stick is exactly what I am after. Thank you very much! Joel

kseidel Thank you for sharing your methods, and the way you measure a tree for the seat length. You are correct in stating" You are no doubt learning that there is much trial and error learning to make saddles professionally." Even though at this point I am not planning on making saddles as a profession, there certainly is an enormous amount of knowledge that is needed to build a saddle just for myself. Thanks again for your much valued input. Joel

Thank you Shelly that sounds like a very logical way to go about getting the seat the right size. Thank you. JW you can ramble all you want in answering my questions. They always seem to be the best kind of rambleing that I have seen. Thank you. Rod thank you for taking time to help me out again. I have been studying your web site. Usually when I finish, I have to get up and go take a break from thinking, just to let all the wonderful knowledge sink in and settle. Thank you for taking the time to put up the web site. So it seems that a good question and answer session between saddle builder, and the saddle buyer to get the correct measurements, and another one with the tree maker, describing the measurements, as to what is needed and wanted. So, as usual, all I have to do is just Ask all the right questions, put the info together, and describe to the tree maker what is wanted to be built as far as the tree goes. build the saddle correctly, and the saddle will be as the buyer wanted. If I could just remember all the info I have been reading in the books and the web sites, and watching on DVD's, I wouldn't be asking all these questions. I know all the answers to my questions are there, but,,, It seems that the world of building saddles has caused my old brain capacity to expand again. I think I'm getting dizzy... But when there is a gap in knowledge,,,,,, this is the place to come. Thanks again folks you are very kind!! Joel

Can anyone tell me where I can purchase a saddle seat stick? Like the one J. Watt and Johnson used to smooth the saddle ground seats with. Thanks Joel

When ordering a saddle tree, how does one go about making sure the seat comes out the size wanted when the saddle is done? For example, If I wanted a saddle when completed to have a 16 inch seat, what size seat would i order? Is this taken into consideration when the tree is being built by the tree builder? The saddle I have now has a padded seat, and was sold as a 17inch seat. But when measured it is 16 inches. However, if you push the padding down against the cantel, the seat measures 17 inches. Any thoughts? Thanks Joel

I have always turned first to the saddle builders here on this site for answers to my questions. I have never been let down. Thank you one and all! Joel JW Thank you sir for your reply. It seems you are always stepping up to the bat when ever I ask a question. Your answers are clear and concise. They always seem to fit the bill. Thank you again! Steve You also are a name I see trying to help folks you have never met. I also thank you sir for your answer, and the excellent photos. It's amazing how a photo or two can fill in many blanks that words cannot. I would also like to compliment you on something I noticed in your photos. You always have very excellent saddles and I have often admired you skill with stamps and a swivel knife. With the saddle in the photos, I also noticed something often overlooked in many saddles I have seen, and that would be your Domed heads on the rigging rivets. They are most excellent!! A nice finished touch. Nicely done Thank you both for answering my questions. Joel

When a flat plat rigging is being drawn up to use on a saddle, how does one go about deciding on a depth or 'drop', from the tree for the front rigging plate? Thanks Joel

Nice work! What type of leather is the black leather on top and the back? Where did you get the cool looking conchos? Thanks Joel

Thank you for taking the time to post these pictures. I don't do much braiding, but your pictures sure simplified what you are doing for me.. Nice Job!! Joel

Very nice knife and sheath. I looked at your web site, but no where did I see any info regarding your knife pricing. Would you care to offer a price range for those of us that appreciate a true working knife, and happen to like your style? Thanks Joel

Thanks megabit. I kinda think I see what you are talking about. There is a loop at the bottom that is facing horizontal. Right? That is where you tie the rope on? I'm also guessing it is made from rawhide. Boy the things I don't know would fill a Public library.

Well I have to add that I think it looks very ( please excuse the feminine terms) Elegant, Rich, Stately, Dignified, Royal, Very 'Expensive, Classy, Clean, Smooth, and I wish I had a bench full of them. I would turn into a big ugly, and not nice, type of guy if someone was to mess with the BearMan mauls I already have. They are a constant joy to me. In fact, I was just using mine a few hours ago! Joel

Just curios. How does that attach to a rope?