Thanks for the input Randy. You noticed the same things I don't really like about this saddle I think it would look a lot cleaner of the front and rear jockeys were lined up better and the seat jockey was cut more full to the front.
Thanks
Bryce
Fireworks, I am interested in buying your machine would you please contact me, my email is brycew74@gmail.com or you can call or text me at (208) 650-1021 thanks
For most of my hides i cut the whole thing in to 10 or 12 inch circles, for a couple reasons. 1. I get more consistent string depth as mentioned above. 2. You can store a whole lot of rawhide cut u that way in a rubbermaid tub with a few extra air holes in it to keep moisture from building up so if space happens to be a factor for you as it was for me for a long time this really helps.
Bryce
My opinion for what it is worth would be to find a young custom maker that is trying to build their reputation, you should be able to find someone that would build you a Roughout that fits in your budget, i would sooner ride a plain handmade saddle than a tooled up factory rig
if you find the lime method does not work for you you can also streach the hide with the hair on and scrape it with a knife or sprinkle dry ashes on the hair side and scrape the hair off with a stick, these are my prefered methods
Montana horseman saddlemakeing school in Belgrade Montana has a 6 week course that I think a few members of this forum have been to they also have a really good website
Hey guys im needing either a good quality side or a couple large blemish free rounds of rawhide asap, any good leads would be appreciated, wish I could make my own but where I am living now that is not an option, thanks in advance, Bryce
Saw a video once of someone who used a dremel engraving tool and enlarged the collet to fit bevelers and such, might be a more inexpensive way to try it out
Might try making a shot bag too mine is just a little leather pouch that I filled with bbs till it was pretty tight and sewed shut makes a nice "paperweight" that won't mark up your work
Guys around here call it a choker, I use this on my 3/4 double rig and like it a lot have done everything from brand calves to doctoring big cows with it, doesn't give em much to pull in to but keeps your cinch from drifting, hope this helps Bryce
My reasoning on the 3/4 double rig is exactly as oltoot suggest even between my two personal horses their backs are pretty different not to mention any company horses or colts I may get in the future gotta build one or two saddles that are going to fit the majority of what I ride so I feel that the back cinch will be prudent to have around even if I don't use it every day it might be nice to have doctoring foot rot and pinkeye on big cows, bulls etc.
The rigging im thinking of doing would be either a 3/4 double rig with a dropped o ring rigging or the same position in a flat plate, seems line the ring rigging would let the stirrup leathers move more freely