Cattledude

Very nice work! I couldn't tell from the photo, are the front belts held in by rivets or screws? I like to skive the strap end and lace or use Chicago screws to make a weaker or break away in case the rider gets hung to the saddle horn. It's a bad wreck to have your leggings hang you on the horn! I also use a buckles front and back, it makes it easier to put them on and get 'em off. I like to make my fringe about 1/4" x 6", it makes the fringe hang a little better. Keep up the good work!

The leather that comes out of my shop goes to two types of folks, cowboys and hunters. Both groups are like jackalopes, everyone knows what they are but nobody sees them. My customer base is pretty small and most of them buy from the big stores or on the interweb, not a lot want to have something custom made. A few like and want custom goods and don't mind paying for them and that's who I sell to. The saddle, tack, chap, and gun leather tooled or stamped buyers are an awful small portion of society but it's what I want to make and it's who I like doing business with. I have helped several youngsters get started as a hobby but as they've grown up life got in the way... Perhaps our craft just isn't what folks want in this disposable, plastic, one use world...?

Nice! I like where you placed the buckle... If it's too high, it is in the horses eye, may not matter to some, but it's something I look for in a headstall. Good job!

…. 10-4! If a person will only accept perfection, they are in for a disappointing ride through life. The folks at SLC have been more than friendly in my experience. They make sure to send me what I describe when I place a phone order.

You could make spur leathers, maybe a simple split ear headstall, cell phone case to hang from back cinch ring , saddlebag or horn bag, lots of things you can do with her. Look at tack catalogs, great ideas in there. Be careful, pretty soon you will be looking at performance horses, dually pickups, living quarter trailers, entry fees and be on the road every weekend!

Nice work! I really like the elk horn grips, I have them on one of my 1911's. …why is the hammer down....?

Nice work! Kick up to the hip and hold your horse in 'till you dally... Good trade by the way!!!

… maybe line each pocket with kydex to keep the knives from cutting thru...?

I like to use HO skirting for my reins, as said before, use the neck for the weighted end. I like to case, edge, and stretch before I oil with warm olive oil and follow up the next day with oil/beeswax for the finish. in my experience, "lower grade" sides make lower grade products. Sometimes you can get by with it but it's not worth the chance. Good luck!

My experience with older saddles is that if the leather is dried and has been neglected for a long time, the rawhide on the tree may be bad as well. Really check the tree to make sure it's good... that's the foundation. Your idea of taking it apart to see how it's made is a good one, that's how I learned. Repairing saddles is another way to see how they are put together. Good luck!