Blake

All opinions are welcome and open for discussion: What are the primary differences that you consider or apply when building a Western saddle for a female vs. a male? Blake

Scrap is a great subject as we are all infected with it. I found that donating it to Church or Scout groups works well as it is deductable with a reasonable value on it.Sometimes I will donate a day or so to groups to get them kick started and that is also deductable so it is a win win situation for everyone. I have a very treasured collection of Thank You items made from the scrap by the groups and that in its self is worth it. Hey Go2Tex where are you moving to and where from? If you are close when you get here maybe we can meet up. Kind Regards Blake

Hi Bruce Happy Birthday! And I hope it is a good one. Best Wishes Blake

Hello Bruce I am still using the wooden one that I started off with around 40+ years ago. It is fairly tall because of my height and students have a little trouble working with it. It is pretty conventional as far as stands go and probably a little on the heavy side. I have always wanted one of the hydraulic ones but have not actually seen one in person. As a result, Everytime I put the money aside for one I spend it on new stamping tools and other goodies that I think I can't live without. They seem pretty expensive. Do the benefits justify the cost? What if anything would you consider to be a drawback ? What would you change? What is your favorite and most useful feature? I haven't talked to an actual saddle maker that uses one, only the people selling or making them so your opinions will be appreciated. Kind Regards Blake

That is sad news to hear but thank you for the information. I don't know if Jim McSuns was one of your clients but he passed away just a few weeks back. He worked for Price McLaughlin for many years as well as Mclellends . He was living in Williston Florida and was turning out some really nice Wade saddles. I know that he was using some trees from Swanke and Rick Reid. Somebody needs to start seriously documenting some of the old guys before they are all gone. Blake

Hello Bruce Fred Harsant and I corresponded for awhile some years back. Saddles of the Old West was his business or company name. When I met him he was teaching Tree and Saddle Making and one of his students lived near me and made a pretty nice tree in his class after making a saddle. Both were impressive. He had a strong accent and I believe he said he was from Australia. Someone else told me that he was a Kiwi. We exchanged many pictures and the last ones that I returned to him came back as undeliverable and I lost track of him after that.I believe he was in Colorado at that point. I've often wondered what became of him and if anyone knows I would appreciate any information. I still have pictures that belong to him.He is a very interesting person. If I can get the pictures scanned I will post them for the group. I gotta catch up to 21st century technology but first I have to overtake the 20th. Blake

maker does things differently." In another thread Blake said that he would go with Arizona bars in arena or hard roping ranch horses, depending on the event. I am curious as to why. Is it a strength factor or is there something about the fit that you feel works better in those events? Hi Denise That is a great question. It is what the customer wants and orders. I am not a big fan of the Arizona bar and it won't be found in any of my personal saddles. The customer usually specifies the Ariz. bar along with a full double rigging. They feel that the saddle becomes more stable that way and the bars less likely to break. A few well known saddle makers in the roping circles have established that bar and it is difficult to promote change. What would you suggest? I am really open to this discussion and have great respect for the job that you and Rod do and your willingness to share your knowledge. Kind Regards Blake

I think that I would add how the horse is trimmed or shod. Blake

Lets try this again ...... and everybody check their guns at the door!!!!

Hello Does anyone have a pattern or design for a Columbine flower that they would be willing to share? It would really be appreciated. Thanks Blake

I would like to say "WELCOME" to Rod & Denise and I am sure many of us will be looking forward to their participation. Best regards Blake

Hi Alvin Do you want a carved border or a stamped border? It might also help if everyone knows the approximate dimensions of the cover as that will help determine the pattern to get maximum effect. Kind Regards Blake

Well Romey, You are the end user and you are right about being able to get what you want within reason. I think we will all agree that there are variables in all horses and these variables can be grouped into catagories. The same applies to saddle trees. So in my humble opinion " Saddle Fit" is the art of recognizing these variables and matching the catagories together. I also think that with the reckless breeding that has surfaced in recent years that there are horses that no longer have the ability to properly carry a saddle. That can be another discussion at another time. Getting back to the original proposal from Bruce about bars. I think this is a very worthwhile discussion that needs to be approached with an open mind because it can be educational for all of us. I have preferences of different bars from different makers depending on the end use of the saddle and of course the conformation of the horse. I have to take into account the position of the rigging for the end use as well as how it relates to the type of bar. I have my favorite that I like to use for the way I use my horses and my horses work for their living just like me. So in short, I like to make my parteners life as easy to bare as my own. I probably build more Wade saddles with the modified Northwestern (Ray Holes) style bar and that appears to work on the horses very well outside of the arena. Inside the arena or with hard ropeing ranch horses,I will go to another bar type (Arizona) depending on the event. Of course I am talking about Qtr.type stock horses and not gaited or occasional use horses that I approach a little differently. This is only talking about bar type and not actual measurements of the trees. Bruce kicked off this discussion with a realistic question or statement so lets get'r done in a civilized manner. Kind Regards Blake Hey Johanna We need a Spill Chukker

Hello David How about taking some time and show us how it should be done? Its a small project and shouldn't take you too long with your experiance. It would be educational and help everyone understand exactly what you are saying. A picture is worth a thousand words. Blake

Hi Patrice I am not familiar with that leather but the price looks great. TLF is pretty honest with their advertising so it will more than likely fill your needs. If you order it let us know how you liked it and how well it works up. You might ask about brands and range marks when you order just to be sure that you get a good selection. Kind Regards Blake

Can someone please give me their experiences with Siegels Skirting leather? Is it #1 grade, does it mold and shape well? How does it carve? Is it consistant? Inquiring minds would like to know . Thanks Blake

Hi Bruce Thanks for that good information about the cowboy capital. I will file that in things I NOW know for when the subject comes up again. Regarding the epoxy trees. Because they are so rigid they fail at the areas where the traditional tree will flex and forgive. I have one in the shop that I removed from a saddle and you can see stress cracks at all of those points and It failed at the stirrup grooves so I have to agree with your observations . I guess I'm old school but I just don't see anything out there at the present time that will be able to replace a well made hide covered tree. Welcome Little John, Glad you are here. Blake

Hi Gary I really don't recommend the ultra hide. And in my opinion Superior doesnt have the best track record for quality and fit. I have no idea about your budget so you will have to decide what you want to spend. Bowden does a decent job and some people use Batie for their trees.Steele is another. I use a maker (Bill Bean) and Quality Saddle tree co. and I am very happy and confident with them both. If you need addresses or information I will be happy to help you as much as I can. If you will contact me off list I will be happy to send you a few links that you may find interesting. (removed addy to prevent spam~Johanna) Kind Regards Blake

Wow! I thought we would get more replies. Hi Ronny. Welcome to the group. We will look forward to your posts. Who did you work with while you were in Arizona? Hey Bruce. I thought Bandera Texas was the Cowboy Capital? at least they said it was? Is anyone planning to be in Texas for the Boot and Saddle Makers Roundup this fall? I was kind of thinking that if enough people on the list responded and some were going then we might plan to get together for a sassparilla during the show. Blake

Hi Everyone I'm a little curious as to how many in the group are saddle makers or are serious about becoming one. Also where are you located? Thanks Blake

CORRECT. Blake

Hi Bruce I like your method, It is certainly safer and more accurate. I may never pre punch another belt again. Blake

Hi Pete For trophy buckles I have always used 7 1/2" from the most used hole which is usually the center hole with 3/4" spacing. This works well as it allows the front loop on the jeans to be the keeper and the excess is minimal so you get no flop or twist. It also leaves just enough to add a tip if he desires at a later date. Blake

Hi Ed To be fair, you have to compare quality. A $70/80 side of skirting would not be high end and will probably have scars and maybe brands and who knows where it was tanned Your saddle skirting is tanned to be tooled and formed and of course is heavier in weight. It is usually not leveled unless requested. The skirting can run from top end to you shouldn't have wasted your money depending on where it came from. It is also sold in grades #1 #2 Tannery run etc. Tooling sides usually have a tighter grain and are leveled and also can come in grades. Skirting is usually sold by the side or by the pound where Tooling sides are sold by the sq. ft. Some dealers will sell any russet or natural Veg Tan as tooling leather but the better tanneries select and Prep leather just for its tooling quality. You can tell the difference when you actually use it. You should try the Hermann Oak and W. Craig web sites as I am sure they will have a wealth of information available. The whole process from start to finish is pretty interesting. Kind Regards Blake Kind Regards Blake