Jump to content

Recommended Posts

  • Members
Posted

How about some opinions of what you use for Blevins, Horizintal posts or Vertical posts and why and has anybody used the four post Blevins?

Posted

Lee,

I'm not a saddlemaker, but I am a user. I like the verticle Blevins. I'm a big guy and I worry about the horizontal buckles eventually weakening the sturrup leathers.

Bob

Leqatherworkerthumbnail2La.jpg LongLiveCowboys-1.jpgWFDPhoto2a.jpg

Posted
Lee,

I'm not a saddlemaker, but I am a user. I like the verticle Blevins. I'm a big guy and I worry about the horizontal buckles eventually weakening the sturrup leathers.

Bob

Lee,I like the verticle Blevins made of brass the best.The posts don't corrode and last lomger.Like Bob said they don't weaken the leather as much as the horizonal ones do.

Steve

  • Members
Posted

I'm with the vertical, too. I only use the horizontal for repairs where the stirrup leathers are already punched that way. Chris

www.horseandmulegear.com

Posted

I just love this place!!! Steve, I didn't even know they were available in brass!

Bob

Leqatherworkerthumbnail2La.jpg LongLiveCowboys-1.jpgWFDPhoto2a.jpg

  • Members
Posted

Hey Bob,

if you can't find the brass ones anywhere else, Weaver leather sells them.

Anyone else have problems with the keeper marking up the back of the stirrup leathers? I've talked to a number of guys who have the same problem with them. If your stirrup leathers have the grain side against the horse, the keepers sure can make a mess of the leather. Some guys say it's the pins of the plates and others say it's the sharp metal edges of the keepers.

Darc

  • Members
Posted
Lee,I like the verticle Blevins made of brass the best.The posts don't corrode and last lomger.Like Bob said they don't weaken the leather as much as the horizonal ones do.

Steve

Bob and Steve,

Why do you believe vertical holes are stronger than horizontal? Many of us punch half holes in our stirrup leathers and the 2 1/2" vertical blevins with half holes are the most common to tear out. Even single holes punched vertically tear out fairly regularly. Both styles carry the weight on two posts, but the horizontal posts are not in line in the direction of the pull, and are in a different cross section of the stirrup leather. If you want the holes closer together for a shorter adjustment, the distance is dictated by the vertical post spacing, and half holes leave an empty hole between the posts, further weakening the leather in line with the pull. Horizontal holes can be closer together at the discretion of the saddlemaker, without being too close together.

I have seen lots of vertical holes torn out, and seldom a horizontal. The vertical are certainly the most common, but I have never considered them to be the strongest.

Keith Seidel

Seidel's Saddlery

www.seidelsaddlery.com

Posted

Hi Kieth,

You make some good points that I will have to think about. As I am not a saddlemaker, it is not something I've given a lot of thought to. I was always told the verticle buckles were stronger and I almost never see the horizonatal buckles on the roping saddles (90% of what I'm exposed to is for roping). I don't think I've noticed a horizonatal buckle on a saddle in years. I can confirm from my personal experience that the verticle holes in sturrup leathers will tear out, but everytime I have seen that happen it was on a junk set of leathers which I see all too much of on these production roping saddles or on a saddle where the sturrup leathers were worn thin. I personally have seen the leathers stretch enough that it is difficult to get the verticle Blevins buckled. I wouldn't imagine that would be an issue with horizontal buckles. My reasoning for thinking that the horizontal buckles would be weaker is much like sewing accross a strap weakens it. That is sort of comparing apples to oranges but it is what I had in mind (along with my pre-programming) :0)

Bob

Leqatherworkerthumbnail2La.jpg LongLiveCowboys-1.jpgWFDPhoto2a.jpg

Posted
Bob and Steve,

Why do you believe vertical holes are stronger than horizontal? Many of us punch half holes in our stirrup leathers and the 2 1/2" vertical blevins with half holes are the most common to tear out. Even single holes punched vertically tear out fairly regularly. Both styles carry the weight on two posts, but the horizontal posts are not in line in the direction of the pull, and are in a different cross section of the stirrup leather. If you want the holes closer together for a shorter adjustment, the distance is dictated by the vertical post spacing, and half holes leave an empty hole between the posts, further weakening the leather in line with the pull. Horizontal holes can be closer together at the discretion of the saddlemaker, without being too close together.

I have seen lots of vertical holes torn out, and seldom a horizontal. The vertical are certainly the most common, but I have never considered them to be the strongest.

Kieth,I see a lot of torn leathers both horizonal and vertical.Most were torn by hanging up a sturrip loading in and out of trailers or trucks.I see more problems with the sleeves eating latigos . I see your point on the hole spacing,laced leathers tend to wear well.

Steve

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...