Jdavies

We are in the beginning phases of putting together a saddle contest in Pendleton Oregon, during the cattle barons weekend. It would be the weekend of May 8 and 9. Their will be 3 different divisions and judging will be strictly people choice. We may include a tack makers division and chink and chap. Any intersted persons can contact Justin Thorson @ Hamley's 541-278-1100. Their will be a first second and third place prize given, also your work can go on display here at Hamley's. Cattle Barons weekend is becoming a large event featuring horse sale, ranch rodeo, vendors, BBQ and horse clinicians. Also a bit and spur competition.

Tried that, probably will have to. If anyone as another idea let me know. Thanx.

Where can I buy seat tins in bulk? 100 at a time is what I've seen, I just don't know where. Looking for the square cut out style. ( around the stirrup leather ).

Absolutely stunning saddle keith. Thanks for sharing.

King's X- sorry it took so long to reply. Yes bevel first then shaded. Every

Just finished this last week. Built on a Rod Nikkel tree. Tooling is a mixture of double border intertwined with flowers and leaves. My tooling is still a little rough so feel free to critique tooling or saddle. Photos could have been better, but my wife was gone and I was on my own with the camera.

nice, nice, nice

Thanks for the compliments! I'm not sure exactly what number I'm on now, but guessing around 45 saddles. I've always heard that you haven't built your first good saddle until you reach 100. So that's my goal. BTW, my wife gave my website a much needed facelift today. We think it looks pretty good. See what you think. Ash, I just got lucky that I married a photographer and designer. It sure comes in handy, but not always for free. I have a tree sitting here with her name on it...

Here is my latest saddle... an Oregon wade full basket stamp, 16 in seat. There were definetly some bobbles but I hope you guys like it. Feel free to critique. Special thanks to gttwister for the info on photographing your work. We implemented some of the ideas in creating the saddle collage. See what you think...

This was my dream truck. Which was sold recently, but hope someday to get another like it. 03 3/4 ton diesel.

very nice saddle. I also like the braiding on the swells. Hope to see the wade also when its done.

thanks to all for the advice. I think I'm on the right track. It's a matter of practice, practice, practice. (maybe even a few redo's)

After stitching and trimming the back of my cantle binding I am finding that my stamped border is sometimes not parallel with the binding, especially when it gets down around the points of the cantle. Some turn out fine others are not. I was wondering how you pros out there get a nice EVEN border that follows the cantle binding. I have heard of some who stamp the cantle back when it is on the tree but I don't. (maybe that is my problem) I hope my question is understandable. If I knew how to post pictures I would but my wife is not around right now. I've wondered if it is due to stretch after stamping but my cantle back always seems to fit properly again. Any advice would be great. THANKS

I also use the stand made by ron. It is great, kind of pricey but well worth it. The leaf spring design really puts alot of pressure in the seat. Also the cantle binding stitching attachment has saved my back.

nice job jbird. The color turned out nice, good stamping.

jon, thanks for posting the pics. Very useful. I think I can use the idea for my saddle stand. Hope all is well. Look forward to seeing some saddle pics soon justin

nice job, can't wait to see more

I don't know if I am worthy enough to post on this discussion. But here is something I once heard... A few years ago I contacted jeremiah watt concerning this very topic as I was interested in building my own trees and his reply cracked me up. He started by saying " First off before we delve into this let me give you a history lesson left out of the history books","The gun fight at the O.K. corral was actually started by two saddlemakers sitting around a bottle of whiskey talking about saddle fitting"... After reading these very interesting posts I am now wondering if he may have been correct

We were just the opposite here in Three Forks, Montana . I woke up to go to work the other day..... -32 F . Tractors do not work well when it is that cold (neither do i for that matter)

hello from montana. welcome. I'm a newbie myself. I think will like it here.

mt, I sure didn't mean to ruffle any feathers. I am a beginner who recieved different opinions and was wondering what the LW folks did in their shops or if this was even a big deal. TO ANY WHO THOUGHT I WAS QUESTIONING DALE, I WOULDN'T QUESTION HIM IF HE WAS POINTING A PISTOL AT A PUPPY.

Last weekend I was able to borrow a copy of Dale Harwood saddlemaking videos. I have a question? In his video he mentions placing his rigging plate at a slight back angle to compensate for the stretch that will occur due to more leather in the rear portion of the rigging. So that over time the rigging plate will level itself out. I learned to place at a slight forward angle, And I have worked with a few other guys that place it forward also. Since watching the videos (which I thoroughly enjoyed) It does make sense And am considering a change. BUT before I do, I was hoping for some input from the LW folks out there, and maybe someone can shed a some more light on the subject. Then again maybe it is not that big of a deal.

what a great idea. The idea of maybe voting for your favorite monthly piece would be exciting I think if it took off we could see some very good items

I had a customer bring in a repair saddle. He said he had just bought it at an auction and when he put it on his horse and pulled up the cinch, the rigging pulled out of the saddle!!! When I tore into it I found that the tree was a hollow fiberglass and the rigging had 2 screws and about 5 staples. Maybe there are different types of hollow trees and some may be stronger than others,but I felt that this was not a safe saddle. and proceeded to put everything back together with better leather in the rigging the best possible glue job and better screws all around. When the customer came back in. I told him that this saddle was not safe. I had a few good trees in the shop and showed him the difference. A week later he said that he had sold the saddle on Ebay and was saving for a new and better saddle. My advice, Spend the extra money for a good saddle otherwise that money or more may be spent on a trip to the hospital.

I think they are about the same, maybe a bit tougher. The only difference is be sure to pull the leather up around the bottom of the swells tight.