BondoBobCustomSaddles

Chief, like you I am a disabled vet, and have been getting the elite pricing for years, however; I too have been unhappy with the trend Tandy is on and has been for the last 5 years or so. Bottom line, well... that is the bottom line. I have seen this trend of cutting cost, and cutting of the quality down to just what it takes to get it out the door, in many industries, guess that's what they teach in business college these days. Prime example is the lowering of the standards on DV testing of automotive systems and components so that they will just barely meet the warrantee period, (current recalls for GM and Ford as an example). This practice is going on in a lot of the industries, not just automotive. It is a mind set, Like you, I think Tandy is infected with it, and the goal is to make as much as you can fast and get out while the getting is good! I could list a lot of specific examples that I know of, but; I have been trying to just relax and enjoy retirement and making saddles. If I get started, I won't be able to stop. Suffice it to say, I just sit back and watch it happen with disgust. Guess I've turned into one of those grumpy old cusses JW talked about Tall in the Saddle. Bob

ZZ, not sure where you are from, but; if you are from the MI, OH, IND area, that saddle looks much like the skirt style and tooling of Jim Rice. Then again, it is very much like a lot of saddles made in the 50"s. I met Jim back in the late 90"s and he had been making saddles at that time for about 50 years. That is just a guess. With out some markings on it, unless someone has one exactly like it, and knows what it is, that's about as good as you can get. Bob

This has been a good thread. I recently had a young fella call me, he has inherited some tools and equipment from his grand father, and wants to learn how to make saddles. Naturally I wanted to make sure he knew what he was getting into, and the work involved. I suggested that he first join leatherworker and read this thread to get a good idea of what is involved. I think that Ron and all of the others that have added comments, insight, and advice to Ron's first saddle have created a really good snapshot of just what is going on when you decide to get into saddle making. As for the end result, all the time invested by Ron shows in the job he did. Once again Ron, "you did good pilgrim." Bob

Ron, I thought that I commented on this last night, but; maybe I was just dreaming! Any way, yes you will always find things you will want to do different on the next one, but all in all, you done good pilgrim. Now all you need to do is ride it!!!! That's where you will find your likes and dislikes. Bob

I guess the word I would use is Slick!!!! Clean, functional, well made. I am sure the owner will be happy to get and use it. Bob

Certainly if you follow Bob Parks process you can't go wrong. Edges are one of my pet peeves, and over the years I strive to get better at it with each saddle. I always fuss over them not just when I am making a piece, but; every time I pick up that piece and fit it to the saddle. By the time I finally get a saddle done, I have probably worked all of the edges at least as many times as I have put it together during the building process. Regardless of whether you stain or not, the edges are just one of those details that bespeak of quality. Here are a couple of pics of what I mean Bob

Tony, I cut fringe last, if it is part of the outer leg leather. I use a plastic straight edge as a guide, mark every 6" or so with a fine line marker to give me an "angle check" so that my fringe stays on the same angle all the way along the length of the fringe, and last, I use a olfa rotary cutter I stole from my wife when she wasn't looking, she is a quilter, and has more than she needs anyway, she never missed it. Bob

Nice Chief! Keep up the good work. Bob

Nice work Dwight. Keep it up! Bob

I wouldn't be without mine! Bob

Thanks Keith for the advice. No offense taken. As I have said, I love to see your work and try to learn from it. Your critique of any of my work only serves to make it better. Thanks again. Bob

Wow, great topic, thanks for posting it Bruce. also thanks to all the guys who have posted on this one, especially because, you all are the guys who's work I love to emulate. As for how to cover swells, all your comments seem to be right on from my experience. Unfortunately I didn't have anyone to learn from, just the books by A. Stohlman. Most of what you guys are doing seems to be in line with that. As for use with welts or without. I have done both, and the hidden stitch on a BW Cutting saddle also. I even have built a couple of saddles for one customer that wanted same tree, a CS Roper, but; one for a horse that was without, and one for a mule that was with a laced fork. They all turned out well. Seems like doing them is always a progression of, working out the wrinkles from large to small, and then all of a sudden, you are done! Anyway, it is great to hear all of the comments that you guys have posted, and as always, I try to learn from what I hear and see of your work. Thanks for your posts. Bob P.S. here are those two that are on the same style tree, but; done different.

Wish you the best Steve. Hurry back soon! Bob

I made one many years ago, and have never found a need to use anything else. It is a 20 oz one with a stacked and turned handle and a stacked raw hide head. I can hit it light or yahoo! I use it for everything from tooling to whacking strap end punches and every thing in between, It just depends what is needed. Bob

Love to see others ideas, and work. Thanks for sharing. Bob

Hey Rick, looks like a neat project. I just might have to make one for myself, I assume it will also hold something other than water also! Might be just the ticket for a ride in the woods!!!! Bob

Waiting on the tree to be finished. It should be here soon then I can get going on the rest of it. Trying to get those things done like stirrups, fenders, straps, billets, rear cinch and so on, so when the tree gets here, I can get it last. Always seems like if I don't, I have to remind myself not to rush at the end. When it is done, I'll post it. This one is for a really good customer of mine, it will be fully tooled, simple silver conchos, some personalization with initials in the tooling for the stirrups, and horses name in the roper sleeves on the rear cinch. It will be a nice pleasure rig. Bob

Billy, here are a couple of pics of those fenders on the stretcher. Color is a little darker than they will end up due to the wetness. You can get the idea though. Hope you like. Bob

Thanks Billy for the comments. Actually, I am kinda old and this just looks to me like it is how saddles should look. You are probably right about that movie. I have almost all of the John Wayne movies and quite a few of the Roy Rogers, Gene Autry, and Jimmy Stewart too. I watch them all the time, I find myself always looking at the saddles in them, even stopping the film and going back and forth, just to get a good look at them. As for marketing the look, I have a pretty good private clientele that keeps me as busy as I want to be. Seems like just about the time a finish one, I have another order going. By the way I just finished up the fenders on one I am currently making. As soon as I get them on the stretcher I'll post for you to see. Hope you like. Bob

CW, I hope you know that the comments from that previous saddle, were meant to help, not scold. We all have had someone give us tips and/or guidance along the way. Just paying it forward. As I said, this one looks good and has a really nice using quality to it. Bob

CW, nice good looking saddle! One of the things I like to look for that speaks quality to me is detail finish. Things like alignment, edge finish and so on. I noticed right off, from the pic from the rear that the centerline of the skirts and jockey's line up with the centerline of the horn (using a vertical line fence for back ground really makes that stick out). That doesn't happen by accident very often! Also, even though your edges aren't stained,(not a necessary thing) they are cut, sanded, and slicked to a high shine. It shows off best in the sun and bespeaks of quality through out. Those are the kinds of things I look for when I am looking. Again, nice job! Bob

Ok Ron, up to now, you have taken your time and done a really nice job, you are getting right down to the end of it. As usual as is the case with me, I like to take my time and not rush it, however; when I get to the end , I find myself getting in a hurry to finish and see the results of my labor. I know it is hard, but; now is the time to make sure that you are continuing to take your time and do all that work you have done so far, justice. One thing I like to do to help with that is to make up a lot of the stuff that is time consuming and usually done last, but; doesn't have to be, like stirrups and fenders stirrup leathers rear billets and chinch, and so on. I try to get to these while I am waiting for the tree to come. Again, you are doing a nice job, you will be happy with the results. Bob

Hi Billy, Interesting concept on the plate rigging and fork cover all in one. Not something I would do for myself, however; I make custom saddles and offer to my clients a whole host of different options (their choice i.e. custom) and this is something I will put in my album to show as an option, (if you don't mind). Especially for those that actually rope, as it looks like it may lend strength and longevity to the rigging on real using saddles. Bob

There are many good and experienced hand here. A lot of good information and oh yes, yu can always count on some realy detailed answers form some great folks like Toot, Denise and Rod. Like I like to sy, I like the old fashioned way. Bob

Bob, There you have an answer that makes sense. Just another example that lends credence to the adage, "made the old fashioned way". Bob