Elton Joorisity

Randy Robert's on Facebook sells great rawhide and he will know exactly what you need for your projects.

20º Is a pretty good angle for splitter blades

Any chance that blade has an elephant stamped on it? If so, the blades themselves are not square. I talked to Bruce about one that I had in for sharpening last winter. the blade edge had been ground properly and was next to new...problem I found was over 3/16" in depth (front to back) from blade end to blade end. The blade was also not equal in thickness. Needless to say, I spent a lot of hours truing up this blade. Customer is still elated with it, but man I lost money on that deal

Bob is still in business and making tools...

I'd talk to Bruce Johnson and see what he has in the shop. I have a full set of the vintage #147 and they are better than any of the new ones for sure

Douglas all the way. I have 1 3/4", 1 1/2" and an open 1 3/4" for cinch and latigo carriers

http://www.ranch2arena.com/hsbtbleedr.html

I'll take them. Pm sent

PM sent

I would like to see how they are used as a buckle. I worked in a harness shop for about 15 years and never saw one used as a buckle. They are meant to hang the traces on harness while you aren't hooked to anything. The trace hangs by a link of it's chain in the bent hook part. Anyways, Weaver Leather carries them, as does Aaron Martin Harness

Talk to Bruce Johnson, he's a member. Or his website is www.brucejohnsonleather.com

Seeing as you're in South Dakota, call up the friendly folks at Sheridan Leather...I've built more pair of rodeo chaps than I'd like to remember somedays and Luke and Vandy and the crew were my main suppliers

PM me the price for the works please Pete

www.thethreadexchange.com may just have what you need

You can buy a hand knurler such as the Knurlmaster. They are basically a "C" shaped pipe cutter style tool. Hope this helps.

I vote for Superiors as well...I only keep Blevins buckles in the shop for someone that might need a set replaced.

Dennis, I start wrapping from left to right...and run the one wrap so it comes up through the hole and then just keep going until I have wrapped all the way to the other dee. As per punching the hole in a saddle that doesn't have one, you can use a plier punch and make two holes 1/2" apart and cut between carefully with a knife. I punch my slot before the final install of the seat. Hope this helps some more

Dennis, I've attached a pic of one of my saddles with the rolls installed...you may not be able to see, but there is a 1/2" bag punch hole just ahead of my maker's stamp...as I wrap the latigo around the wraps between dees I run the tail through that slot one time and then keep wrapping from left to right. Hope you can understand. I don't have a pic handy without the rolls on the saddle

Tom, I have a couple prototypes in the works and could quite possibly have some ready in the near future. I'll be sure to post them on here when they are done.

Crust is a chrome tanned hide that has no oils, dyes or finishes on it at all. I have had a couple over the years and I found them stiffer than a finished chrome side. Hope this helps

Do a search for Northern Lights Tools

Just run your finger down the needle on all sides of the point...If you feel even the slightest hook or burr on it, change it. I always make sure I start with a new needle when I start a new project...odds are that you're going to need to change it anyways.

I also started building them because of the Weaver model...I am a saddle maker and also make saddle specific tools...this rings true of my slickers as well...I designed them with saddle makers in mind.

Not tryin to steal business...but competition is good for business! Here is one of mine. They sell for $35 and are made of a variety of woods...cocobolo being the main one.

I'd have to vote for Jeremiah's. He doesn't leave much out. And it's geared towards the beginner more. I own both and probably once you get through a few you might want to get Dale's. It's not as in depth as Jeremiah's and it's almost like Dale expects that you have built a bunch before.