Second Saddle - Will James

[MLGilbert]

Well it's been almost two years since the first one, but I finally finished my second saddle - a 1/4 carved Will James!

I generally prefer slick forks but as my first saddle was a wade, I wanted to learn how to cover swell forks. I was a little too optimistic and tried a no-welt swell cover, but quickly had to scrap that and use a folded welt instead, which I think turned out well. The cheyenne roll was new to me as well, and while I'm fairly happy with it, I feel it isn't angled back quite as much as it should be. Keeping consistent stitches on the underside was also much more difficult than with the straight-up binding. I'm much more satisfied with the seat on this saddle than I was on my first, but unfortunately I won't be able to really test it out since I'm listing this one for sale! 

I'd be glad to hear any and all critiques and advice on this saddle that I can apply to the next one! Thank you!

[Cattledude]

Very well done! I like your seat jockey shape and overall, it's well balanced. The only thing I would change is the rope strap where it attaches on the right side. When you dally, your rope will hit the strap and could tear it loose. I like to attach a cross over rope strap low on the front of the swell on the right. 

[Goldshot Ron]

Looks real good for only your second saddle.  I don't like cross over rope straps, and they don't fit a swell fork like they do a slick fork.  But hey, it can be changed.  Keep up the good work.

[TomE]

I'm no expert, but I know what I like.  Beautiful workmanship. Thank you for posting.

[chuck123wapati]

1 hour ago, TomE said:

I'm no expert, but I know what I like.  Beautiful workmanship. Thank you for posting.

Ditto your tooling is excellent!!!

[Doc Reaper]

It’s way cool, h as ve ya figured out how to make one for a motorcycle yet???

[Gezzer]

Horse goes UNDER the saddle , butt goes IN the saddle ( sum of my knowledge )  But that is beautiful !!!!!

[MLGilbert]

Thank you all! 

On 9/17/2022 at 7:44 PM, Goldshot Ron said:

I don't like cross over rope straps, and they don't fit a swell fork like they do a slick fork. 

I used a cross over because I like how it pulls the rope up tight against the horn, but I can definitely see how it doesn’t fit as well as on a slick fork.