jwwright

Troy.............Happy Birthday!..............I won't make any comments on your age, because you are just one year older than I am. Many more years of prosperity and good health to you. JW

Jed.........you have recieved good advice from the others all ready.......I sure agree with what they say. I don't think you can go wrong with tools from any of the high quality makers. Personally, I have gravitated toward Jeremiah Watt's tools. I use edgers, round knives, stamps, dividers, and stitch groovers from him daily. For sewing awls, Bob Douglas is the man.....and he is a great source for many other tools, both new and vintage such as heel shaves, bouncers, etc. I like Barry King stamps and mauls as well. For drive punches, I have been pleased with the master tool line from Weavers. Just some of my thoughts...........JW.

Thank You Bob...........and a Happy and Prosperous New Year to you as well. JW

Nice chinks! I like that style. I am building a pair today.........my pattern is similar, except I will be making the bottoms squared off. JW

Thanks Richard. Yes, Ray Lewis (and/or his brother Steve) made the tree in this saddle. You could call this tree a Buster Welch Roper, or Ranch Cutter.........although not to confuse with a cutter tree. This tree has Ray's regular bars in it, not the narrowed down versions you will find in most cutter trees. JW

Many Thanks fellas. Darc, I think you are right. This is the only saddle I've built where I didn't put a border on the cantle back, if it was stamped in any way. I thought I would try one this way. While I think it looks fine,and the customer is pleased.............I'm with you. I think the border is better. JW

I built this one for our cattle vet's wife as a Christmas present. Herman Oak leather, Ray Lewis tree, J Watt Horseshoe Brand hardware. Constructive critique is most welcome. Thank You, JW

I have one of Watt's round knives, several edgers, and several stamps. I have been very pleased with all of them. JW

For most of my adult life, I have made my living horseback. For much of that time, I have been riding a fair number of different horses daily. What I found that works for me is................I have several navajo blankets, both 32 x 64 and some 32 x 32. In conjunction with these navajos, I use wool felt pads any where from 1/4" to 1/2" in thickness. All these are 100% wool. By combining the various navajos with the appropriate pad (when needed) I have found that I could adjust for differing horses. Personally, like Greg and others have mentioned, for me I use the least amount of padding needed for the individual horse / saddle combination. I have seen much more trouble caused by over padding than any other saddle/fit issue. JW

Very kewl stuff Bruce. I admire your work. JW

Same to all you folks. Merry Christmas, or Happy Holidays if you are of another faith. Let's hope we can all find a way to have a prosperous New Year. I'm with Bruce..........we'll be eatin' beef. Steve, you can bet I'll be having a Jim Beam, or maybe two! All the best , JW

Julia, the way I do it is.........after I fit the binding for length / width etc., I cut a slit about 3/8" deep into the bottom edge of the binding. This makes the "flap". I glue the binding on a little bit damp, and fold the flap up as needed as I sew the binding on. When finished sewing, I carefully put a little glue inside the flap, dampen lightly the flap, then rub it down smooth. JW

Bob Douglas 307-737-2222

Just in case you have not heard...........Bob Douglas makes the best awls. As you probably learned from your conversation with him, he's a darn good source for many other tools as well. JW

Bruce, Steve, GH and Tex..........Thank You for your replies and suggestions. ....I just got an order of stuff from Vandy...........should have got a couple of Bean strainers to try. Looks like I'll be calling them again. Tex, I have never tried using a 2 piece strainer set up. I know everyone has their own way of doing things, and usually with their own good reasons. Is there a particular reason you prefer the 2 piece? Thanks, JW

I was wondering where you other saddle makers get your metal seat strainers. I have purchased them from a couple of places, and am not entirely happy with either. Also, can you give me a good idea of where to purchase good buck rolls, at reseller's prices? I build an occasional slick fork, and once in a great while have a request for buck rolls. Since this is a fairly rare deal for me, I am not real interested in building them. Thank You, JW

Nice work Jake, congrats. Sure is a lot smoother than my first saddle. JW

Thanks Jayson. Dennis Overton, at Seymour Texas, has been very generous to me in sharing things he has learned in his 50 years building saddles, bits and spurs. He showed me how to do that braid. If you should happen to get up this way, I would be happy to show you as well. The horn wrap on this saddle is made from some heavy chrome tanned chap leather, similar to the apron split/mule hide material. I have some elk that is about this same color I am using also. JW

Ashley, Thank You. Tex.........I think your rule of thumb is pretty close for me as well concerning the length of lace. The way that I do it, the holes are pretty close together, and I think usually on a swell cover like this one, I end up with about 18 holes on each side. Dually, Thank You......I did not weigh this saddle, as the customer picked it up from my shop, rather than having to ship it. However, most of them similar I have made weigh in at about 35 pounds ready to ride. JW

Justin, Thank You. There is about 5 feet of 1/4" roo lace on each fork cover seam. GoToTex, Thank You as well. The tree is by Ray Lewis, and the horn is a #7, set fairly straight up, 3 1/4" tall. JW

Thank You, Smokin P and Art. JW

This saddle I built on a BW Roper tree, and is what some of my customers have come to call a ranch versatility saddle. This particular saddle was built for a gal who does it all.......cuts, reins, cowhorse, ropes and competes in ranch horse versatility competitons quite a bit. Constructive critique, as well as the ataboys, is always welcome. JW

Steve, I admire your work. JW

Julia, just another couple of suggestions regarding the latigos that might be helpful to you . Depending upon the usage of the saddle, I sometimes use high quality, but thinner latigo leather to make the tie straps. Same idea as using nylon, less bulk. I have found that the Santa Ynez latigo from Seigel's in 8 oz works well for this. Concerning the off side.........nothing wrong with a half breed style such as you have on this saddle.....but, since bulk is an issue for you with this saddle, you might try a lined billet style, or as I prefer, a full lenth tie strap same as the on side, again made from a little lighter quality latigo. JW

Saddle #2 looks good Justin. That seat profile sure looks like it will ride. JW