harrington

What I do is to lightly scribe my fringe line down the leg and then basically after the curve on the bottom outside of the leg, continue straight across with your scribe line to cut to. You may end up with the last inch or two of fringe being shorter than the middle of the bottom fringe, but it is usually not noticed as it wraps under your leg while riding. This probably sounds as clear as mud, but I don't have any pics readily available to post.

Any saddle shop can make you a simple 1" strap with a buckle to put around your fork and through the handhole on your saddle. Double Diamond Halters sells one like this also. They are from Gallatin Gateway, MT, but have dealers all over the US.

I don't think you got the photo attached.

Thanks for the comments and critique. Mark, do you mean to cut both the side leg fringe and the bottom fringe at a sharper angle, or just one? After wearing awhile, I've not seen it as noticeable in that corner area, also it's more of an issue with the heavier leather like these are made from. thanks, Tom

New armitas I just finished for a benefit fundraiser for a nice lady we know who is fighting cancer. I hope they sell well and she fights this cancer off.

Looks like nice work, but I'll show my ignorance, what is a patria?

I had about 5 hours in this pair. Add an hour or two with fringe cutting.

I think you're right Steve, it does have 5 petals. Everyone calls it the Hamley Daisy basket, but in speaking to Bob Douglas, I learned it is in fact called the prairie rose. Any suggestions on someone who might want to sell a set?

That would be great, I have some stamps on leather if you would be interested to look at them. Let me know and I can send it to you. Tom

Hi All, I'm looking for a set of the 5 petal "Hamley Daisy" stamps made by McMillen or if someone has a custom set by someone else similar. The sets I've seen are in 3 sizes, most interested in the largest one which is about 5/8 to 3/4" in diameter. Thanks for any help. Tom

Barry King Tools has a good selection, I'm sure Wayne Jueschke and Bob Beard also make them.

Sheridan Leather Outfitters in Sheridan, WY sells the best from Bob Douglas.

I have done it with a monel covered oak stirrup from Weber. Be sure to use a new pipe spacer 2 1/2" wide. It should work fine for your stirrup as well.

Nice job on the saddle, your schedule sounds about like mine at 10 months to get one done, having to work around my full time job. Hopefully, you'll get more time and you'll also figure out time-saver tips as you work on the other 13. What are all the details; tree maker, leather supplier, hardware, and who would order 14 saddles at one time? Good luck.

Cary Schwarz is a top notch saddle maker in Idaho and has recently put out some dvds on patterns and carving in the Sheridan Style that are very good. You can find out on his website at www.caryschwarz.com

Looks really nice, good job on forming your swell cover nice and clean without a welt. Is this your style of rope strap, or the customer's choice?

Wayne Jueschke from Elko, NV. They are amazing and will last you a lifetime.

Bob Douglas in Sheridan, WY makes the best awl blades available. His phone number is the best way to get one at 307-737-2222

Here are some long cutter chaps I made for a local lady who rides cutting horses. Hide House leather with Montana Silver conchos and buckle set. She wanted rough-out, an inset pocket and no fringe.

Some fancy new double fringe chinks I made for a Christmas gift, Hide House leather and Jeremiah Watt buckles front and back.

Not sure exactly what you're describing, do you have a picture or drawing? If you mean the "tab" at the bottom where the fender necks down to fold and thread through the stirrup, then most maker's patterns are designed with this feature to protect the rider's pant leg or boot top from the sweat from the horse. There are probably as many fender patterns as there are saddlemakers.

Just spoke with Steve last week to buy some of his double-tanned skirting which came from Wickett and Craig. The sides were huge and very clean, good price, but the shipping was a bit high for me to Colorado. I don't know what all he is selling now, I get random emails from him with different leathers he is selling.

True, traditional armitas have no hardware, using a wrap and tie belt with an apron front and laced legs that you step into like pants, or leather buttons. I make mine with a 1" sewn on belt to the apron front with a buckle in the back and either laced step-ins or a zipper leg connection. Chinks are usually open in the front with a buckle strap or light lace connector and tend to be a bit shorter and usually a rounder pattern than the square leg shape of armitas. Thanks for the compliments

Thanks for the compliments. I too worry about weird color combinations, in fact, working on a pair of chinks for a lady that wants very light grey chap body with fuschia and turquoise top belt, side plaque, and double fringe, I'm afraid they will look like a rodeo queen's chinks, but it is what she wants. If they turn out less than horrible, I'll post a picture.

Some new armitas I just delivered to some friends in Gypsum, CO. The grey ones have double fringe on the leg with black underneath, both have Montana silver buckles and conchos. Thanks for looking