bunkhouseleather

Hello, I just went through Dales school in Belgrade. Am working on saddle number two now. I worked on some ranches up in your country for awile and ride a saddle that Wes Schenk down in Harlowton built for me. Who else is building saddles around there besides you and him. Interested to see some pics of your saddles. Jake

The guy I learned from told me this was the way to put the neck wrap and horn cap on. But I am always open to new suggestions and ideas. The folks that I have lined up to build some saddles for are definetly going to test them out so I want to learn the best way to put 'em together. Could you guys show me some pictures of how you do it? Thanks. Jake

Heres a pic of the horn cap bottom and the donut filler and the neck wrap. The neck wrap is a separate piec and not connected to the horn cap at all. Hope that helps. Jake

Thanks for the replies. I'm setting out to work on number two soon as the tree comes in. Going to try one with a little more swell to it this time, a flat creek packer tree from Timberline. I will look into the name issue Allan. Don't want to step on toes or cause any confusion. Thanks for bringing it to my attention. The horn cap is three pieces, a bottom, a donut and then the top cap. The horn wrap is modified from a horn cap pattern that had wings, I just cut off the cap and used the wing pattern to cover the neck. From what I have been reading sometimes it sounds like underneath the mule hide wrap on this style horn it isn't covered. Not sure if I'm right or not on that though. I guess it would be faster that way. I think it looks more finished if the neck is covered, just my two cents I guess. Thanks for lookin'. Jake

Heres one I did for my wife. I bought a plain mousepad from wallyworld and used 8 oz leather tooled it and stitched it on. Jake

Howdy, Been wandering around here for awhile now trying to learn everything I can from the talented folks on here. Finally got my first saddle done and need some opinions on it. It is built on a timberline wade tree, balanced ride stirrup leathers, wickett&craig leather and montana silver. Any and all critiques would be apprciated. Thanks. Jake

Nice lookin' saddle. I just got back from Dale's school last month. Starting to work on number two also.

I add tan-kote to the antique paste also. Then finish with a top coat of tan-kote. Hilights the carving nicely and gives a nice mellow finish. Works for me anyway. Had to post a pic to go along with your dog in the tub. This is what we usually have in our tub in the springtime. Wish it was only antique all over it. LOL!!!!

Another picture of the inside of my shop. Don't know what I'll do with all the room.

Thanks for the welcome. I have a couple of pictures of my shop that I am in the process of building. I started out repairing tack in bunkhouses on different ranches then got married and moved the shop into the house. Am finally able to actually build a dedicated leather/ soon to be saddle shop. Just got the walls and some of the trim up and it is kinda starting to look like a building. Been working on it all summer in between taking care of the feedlot and yearlings. I am not a carpenter by any means and it has been a learning experience. It is 32' x 12' and built on a trailer house frame just in case we ever have to move. It's going with me, I waited to long to have a shop of my own!! LOL Let me know what you think. Jake

For my skiving work I took and glued a piece of glass 24"x24" to a piece of plywood. And then I pretty much use Verlanes way of doing things. The thing that helps me a lot is to keep my round knife as sharp as I can get it. Strop the knife often and life is good. I have one of the safety skivers also and have had some luck using it to feather an edge using a curved piece of glas to skive on. Hope this helps.

Very nice work. Am still trying to get my carving skills going, hope someday to do that well. Thanks for the pattern too.

Hello all. Just found the site and have been wandering around for awhile. Have been doing leatherwork for a while and thought I would put some pictures out for you all to see. Please comment and tell me what you think. All criticisms appreciated. Thanks