Members BlackDragon Posted October 9 Members Report Posted October 9 I got a saddle in the shop a few weeks back for cleaning and some repair. The biggest issue I found were the Blevins buckles. Since they are made from aluminun they oxidized quite badly. Have yall ever seen them this bad? Quote
Members Tove09Tilda Posted October 9 Members Report Posted October 9 Wow! Okay, that looks like… something … Just asking as I am only used to english saddles, for what are those buckles used? I've never seen anything saddle-related that oxidised only some rusty head-irons which were replaced and since used for schooling purposes. Quote
Members JDFred Posted October 9 Members Report Posted October 9 1 hour ago, BlackDragon said: I got a saddle in the shop a few weeks back for cleaning and some repair. The biggest issue I found were the Blevins buckles. Since they are made from aluminun they oxidized quite badly. Have yall ever seen them this bad? I’ve never seen aluminum Blevins buckles. All the ones on my saddles are stainless. That is something to look for in buying a used saddle. 38 minutes ago, Tove09Tilda said: Wow! Okay, that looks like… something … Just asking as I am only used to english saddles, for what are those buckles used? I've never seen anything saddle-related that oxidised only some rusty head-irons which were replaced and since used for schooling purposes. Blevins buckles are used to adjust stirrup length. Quote
Moderator bruce johnson Posted October 9 Moderator Report Posted October 9 That is actually kind of mild compared to some I have seen. I have replaced a few that one post was totally eroded off and the other was a nub. Unless they get the length changed, a lot of people never check. One advantage for the stainless steel knock-off makers. Quote Bruce Johnson Malachi 4:2 "the windshield's bigger than the mirror, somewhere west of Laramie" - Dave Stamey Vintage Refurbished And Selected New Leather Tools For Sale - www.brucejohnsonleather.com
Members BlackDragon Posted October 9 Author Members Report Posted October 9 I looked for stainless but I couldn't source them. The websites would say all metal but when I inquired they would tell me they were aluminum. Quote
Moderator bruce johnson Posted October 10 Moderator Report Posted October 10 Springfield Leather has them, K-S from Texas, - I didn't search it but likely a google search for "Stainless Steel stirrup buckle" would give you more. If you aren't married to the Blevins style buckles - Batz has the version originally called the Fast Buckle that Ben Veach developed, Toby Yoder at Ron's Tools has Farrow buckles, and Weaver and others likely still have the old Superior Quick Change buckles. Quote Bruce Johnson Malachi 4:2 "the windshield's bigger than the mirror, somewhere west of Laramie" - Dave Stamey Vintage Refurbished And Selected New Leather Tools For Sale - www.brucejohnsonleather.com
Members Rick Jorgenson Posted October 10 Members Report Posted October 10 You can get sets with Brass Tongue's. Thats what I change out the aluminum ones too for clients that do "Beach Rides" on the coast. They are pricey but they last far longer. Find them at www.BlevinsBuckles.com Quote
Members BlackDragon Posted October 10 Author Members Report Posted October 10 12 hours ago, bruce johnson said: Springfield Leather has them, K-S from Texas, - I didn't search it but likely a google search for "Stainless Steel stirrup buckle" would give you more. If you aren't married to the Blevins style buckles - Batz has the version originally called the Fast Buckle that Ben Veach developed, Toby Yoder at Ron's Tools has Farrow buckles, and Weaver and others likely still have the old Superior Quick Change buckles. I looked at SLC but they listed them as "all Metal" but when you call them they are aluminum, only the sleeve is stainless. I actually asked the customer if they wanted a quick change buckle and they said no. So I was limited to finding 2" buckles to match their old one. 9 hours ago, Rick Jorgenson said: You can get sets with Brass Tongue's. Thats what I change out the aluminum ones too for clients that do "Beach Rides" on the coast. They are pricey but they last far longer. Find them at www.BlevinsBuckles.com I looked at their site but I needed 2" buckles and they don't have the brass ones in that size. Also they didn't state in their website what type of metal their other ones were. I reached out to them but they never got back to me. Quote
Members Rick Jorgenson Posted October 14 Members Report Posted October 14 On 10/10/2025 at 6:16 AM, BlackDragon said: I looked at SLC but they listed them as "all Metal" but when you call them they are aluminum, only the sleeve is stainless. I actually asked the customer if they wanted a quick change buckle and they said no. So I was limited to finding 2" buckles to match their old one. I looked at their site but I needed 2" buckles and they don't have the brass ones in that size. Also they didn't state in their website what type of metal their other ones were. I reached out to them but they never got back to me. They have the brass tab sets for 2" https://www.blevinsbuckles.com/new-products/brass-post-tab-set-for-2-inch-stirrup-leather-vertical-post FWIW... The "Tabs" for the 2 1/2" are the same size and specs that are used for the 2" I hope that helps Quote
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