gtwister09

Darcy, It is a very clean web site. Black and white photos throughout...Hmmmmm. That's a unique approach for a saddlemaker's site. As always I REALLY like the use of many photos to show details and to showcase your work. Here's a few minor suggestions. On Saddles Page You may want to add a "Click on photo(s) for more detailed photos of each saddle" or something to that effect to bring it to the attention of the person browsing that there are more detailed photos of each saddle available. Add some white space after your text describing the saddle and before the additional photos on each saddle. On Trees page Add some white space between Trees and the 1st paragraph. Likewise add some white space between the 1st paragraph and the 1st picture. Add a space after Saddlery at the bottom. On Embellishments page Add white space between text and picture. Maybe add Embellishments in your Title below Handmade saddles for consistency. (Trees, Miscellaneous have it but others don't)...just a thought. It is great to see you with a web site that can showcase your work. Good luck with it. Maybe next you can follow the others in doing a blog (Steve, Bruce, etc). Once again....looks good. Regards, Ben

Andy, Once again great work.... Regards, Ben

Andy, A very nice clean saddle. It has very nice carving as well. Regards, Ben

Ed, That's brainstorming for a better business! It's all you! Regards, Ben

Elton Joorisity also is making them. Regards, Ben

Ed, For some odd reason I like the name BearMauls... The bear paw is a nice touch that Tina made. Regards, Ben

Weaver and Bob Douglas also carry concho cutters of various sizes. Regards, Ben

There you go...Steve gave you some information on the tree maker and the fact that it comes wit an instructional video. You may have to ask more questions about the leather quality, thickness and other components. Thanks Steve! I imagine that they will appreciate any information that they can get. Regards, Ben

I may be wrong but I don't believe that they use Ralide trees in their saddles. Not sure which production trees they use. If you are serious about their kits then ask a lot of questions about the leather, tree and the manufacturer iof them. Look at their testimonials as well. I personally don't have any experience with their kits...so I can't answer. However, I would not get a precut kit but there are individuals who are intimidated and want to do that. I would opt for the tools and do-it-myself mode. I can't say that I agree with the selection of Dusty's tapes/DVDs because there are certainly much better ones out there like Jeremiah's ( Jeremiah Watt at Ranch2Arena). In fact I would put Dusty's towards the lower end. (I have viewed Harwood, Mecum, Gomer's, all 3 of Cheaney's, Adal/Conway, Watt's, Johnson and 5 or 6 others that have various saddlemaking videos). Regards, Ben P.S. There are other threads on the forum that discuss the saddlemaking videos already. Look in the saddle section of the forum.

Brent, Besides the sanding job with the beads... I have also seen them used those same beaded lines and then apply some stamping like pear shading in a random fashion to create a random crumbled background with the pear shader. Regards, Ben P.S. Sorry about the lime tree but the weather was a little harsher this winter (not like northern areas...but not good)

That's a pretty standard configuration for a saddlemaker's stitching horse including the tensioning spring. Great stitching horse!!!! Interesting from a historical standpoint...we had one of his saddles that was unceremoniously acquired by someone else... Thanks for sharing. Regards, Ben

Denise, Sent you an email... Regards, Ben

Denise, Here's a link that will describe and explain the Indexing Service which you most likely installed in one of your updates. Windows Indexing Service It will generally speed back up after the indexing service isfinished performing the initial index/catalog. Likewise if SP3 was installed it will likewise slow the system down some as well when you compare it to SP2. Most of that will be due to changes in security and networking features that were added. You can turn off the indexing service if you would like. Regards, Ben

I have not seen one but here's a PDF of the patent that may help. It is all that I have. Sorry that I don't have one. Hope that this helps. Krebs Splitter #306760.pdf Regards, Ben Krebs Splitter #306760.pdf

Sorry....forgot him as well... Jeff Cook 40315 SE Cedar Creek Ln Sandy, Oregon 97055 Phone: 503-826-1613 E-mail: Jeff Cook email Jeff Cook Blades Regards, Ben

RetroSurfer (name)???, Here's some of the ones that I know of. Others can add to the list hopefully. A few of them are deceased or no longer producing them. Bob Dozier Knives PO Box 1941 Springdale, AR 72765 Phone: 479-756-0023 Fax: 479-756-9139 Toll Free: 1-888-823-0023 Email: Dozier Knife email Dozier Knives Website Ernie Grospitch 18440 Amityville Drive Orlando, Florida, 32820 Telephone: 1-407-568-5438 Email: Ernie's email Grospitch website Lonnie Height Gomph-Hackbarth Leather Tools 10754 N. Martineau Road Elfrida, AZ 85610 Phone: 520-642-3891 Fax: 520-642-3891 Hackbarth Tools email Gomph knives - via Darcy Duey Peters P.O. Box 159 407 N. Bluff Blunt SD 57522 Phone: (605)962-6227 Duey Peters email Jeremiah Watt 47069 Crump Lane, HC1, Box 34 Coalinga, CA 93210 Phone: 559-935-2172 Fax: 559-935-1021 Cell: 559-355-7948 Jeremiah Watt email JWatt Round knives Some argue these are production ones .... Steve Powers (719)579-5096 This one came via MarkB I have seen some of his knifes out of Lee's Cutlery in Arizona w/his fish logo as well as in Tactical Life/PKA shows (Professional Knifemakers Association) Bill Buchman - deceased Danny Marlin - not sure Others like L.B. Lienemann and Bob Jolly used to make them. Josh Jolly is now making knives for the RJ Jolly Knives (no round knives available). Regards, Ben

Ryan, Thanks for the photos. It is a great looking saddle. Very nice job with the interwining meandering border and florals. Once again some great layout and designs with the mixing of these even down into the flow of the billets and the seat. Regards, Ben

Congratulations to Andy and Ryan both on their wins. Andy.................Could you send some more detailed pictures of your two saddles? Ryan.................Looking forward to your pictures. Congratulations on your wins again. Regards, Ben

Clay, WOW! What a great two weeks and it appears as though it has paid off nicely... Regards, Ben

Dave, Here's one link that Art made some comments on it. Cub Link Regards, Ben

There are some very good ones for basketweave stampes on here...Bruce has several different ones. Try the query below to look at past ones. They are in my opinion a lot better than the doodle page ones. Bastketweave Posts Regards, Ben P.S. There is also one that I listed a number of angles of various basketweave stamps and just an FYI...Even Tandy's same # stamp does not yield the same angle when measured.

Brent, Sorry I don't have anything on the coloring. However on the hand sander, I have used used the Shop-Vac with hook and loop pads to keep the leather fuzzies to an almost negligible level. The holes in the pad and the Shop-Vac do wonders for removing the leather dust when you are reviving the nap on rough-outs. I have used the sander plenty of times when preparing used ones to be sold....kind of like a detail job for your car. Regards, Ben

Clay, Been following your blog and your two week escapade away from the family. After you complete this one please share with us what bear #2 looks like also. You are a lucky man and we all look forward to your future training sessions as well. Regards, Ben

"A photograph that is placed on the internet which has no copyright or patent rights is "public domain"." This is NOT true...Sorry! I have included a site on Copyright myths. below. 10 Big Myths about Copyrights explained Regards, Ben

Jeff, I would suggest that if you pursue the "older" knives from Bob that you choose in the following order Rose, Gomph and then Osborne. I think the Rose is just a little better than the Gomph but either one of them are fine additions to your tools (just my personal preference). The older Osbornes as stated do have good steel in them. Regards, Ben