GrampaJoel

If you're looking for the cowboy style, then try this link for some great pictures of cowboy gun holsters and belts. ---> CASCity.com

I am very impressed with your work! I am also surprised that someone could afford something as nice as your bags now days. I just love the logos that you have tooled in. Very very nice!

Well the Watt DVDs on saddle making came in today.:blahblahblah::blahblahblah: AHHHHHHH........... You guys just don't know what a quiet simple life I have. The most conversation I have around here is a maybe a whinny from my horse as I exit the back door of my house. I watched the first hour of the DVDs and I am on word and information overload... sssssshhhhhhh. I don't know how I will ever get through the whole series! There is so much information it may take me weeks to get through the first DVD. Tomorrow I will try it with the sound off. Actually guys, thanks for the recommendations about getting the Watt saddle making DVDs. I actually think I may be able to put a saddle together with all the books and DVDs that I have now. Joel

Old design maybe but somethings old get better with age. It's hard to beat a great design. Just out of curiosity, where do you guys get the metal part to make seats? The seat frame I guess it would be called. Are they made from steel or aluminum or maybe fiberglass?

I've had good luck sanding down the fuzz with very fine grit sandpaper. This brings it down to a very, very short fine fuzz. Then wet and burnish. But that hardens it up some. I just finished a holster where I did this because they wanted it. It looked like a very fine suede.

I once completely ripped out and re-sewed a leg on a pair of chinks because I was unhappy with two stitches that were on angles compared to the rest on the outside seam stitching. So I don't think you are being anal at all. If you strive for perfection, than that is a personal decision. Your work is beautiful. I don't think most novices would notice a thing like you have pointed out. Even if they did they might not even have an opinion about it and just except it as being what it is. But if you need it restitched, than don't hesitate to satisfy yourself. I never let anything go out of the shop that I personally an not satisfied with. Even when my wife says, 'oh honey I don't think anyone would care but you'.

Nice job! I respect anyone who has the tanitansy to put stars on a pair of leather chaps. I made a queen pair with stars once and getting all the star angles cut just right, well, it almost made me crazy. Joel

Very clean !

Well they look as good as any I have made so I will ask a question instead of offering a critique. What is the purpose of the little stand-alone piece on the front of the holster?

Now this I would like to see a photo or two of. This sounds like a knuckle saver for sure.

</h3> Yeah it does!! I'd say that is the most beautiful saddle bag I have seen!

Thanks guys . Both of your answers are what I was looking for. Great answers both! Thanks again Joel

ahhhh.......clicker dies for stars.... man I hate trying to get stars cut the same... Lucky you!

bump Everyone must be busy. Surely I haven't stumped the band?

Ya gotta love black dye! Makes everything alright. Looks good btw.

Hi everyone. I was wondering if someone would share with me the way of determining the seat rise of a western saddle? And could you please explain it's purpose? I know I must have heard it somewheres at sometime, but I just can't remember it's function. Old age is creeping in I guess. Thanks Joel

Ya know Andy, with a few more years worth of practice you are going to be a real good saddle maker..... sorry,,, my bad. You make such great saddles and this saddle is also great, as always. Viewing your work gives me inspiration and a desire to aspire to your great level of craftsmanship. Thanks for sharing with us. Joel

Yep!

Hey Chuck, you do very beautiful work! But I have been wondering,,,, Why are the Indian style sheaves always so much wider than the knife blades?

When I was younger I had a McClellan style saddle I used for endurance riding. It consisted of a McClellan style tree which was covered with what was described as moccasin leather.( 5-6 oz alum tan). It had something called, no-crush springy foam for padding. And a sheep bark on the underside. It weighed with stirrups around 14lbs. It held up well with hundreds of miles on it. and maybe five years on it, but I took very good care of it. Last I heard several years back, it was still being used.

Dwight The saddle looks great. Nice job! I was wondering, was a new latago put on? I ask because it looks pretty old and could be unsafe if used for riding. Also, did the left rear corner ever flatten out for you? Joel

Goldpony I ride a Fjord as well. My mare is such a great ride. She is quite a bit taller than her sister, but that works just fine with my height. 6'1". I have had a hard time getting a saddle to fit her wide flat short back also. But the saddle you have looks like it fits well. I suggest that you go with the mohair string cinch and when putting the saddle on let the cinch strap hang loose enough to "self place" itself before tightening. I usually go to her front and raise her front leg to remove and wrinkles that may get caught under the cinch. Looks like you have a white. My girl is a brown dun.

Yes you are correct.

Fold it and glue the fold first, then when it is dry, you have a pre-set bend, so then glue the rest. It helps keep wrinkles to a minimum.

I think this persons question could be solved with a simple couple of pictures of the stirrup opening view. ( where the foot goes in). Showing the front of Taps and the side do nothing for answering the question. The front and side shots can be found every where. Anyone got a shot from the stirrup opening?