Members Lee Jr Posted July 21, 2009 Members Report Posted July 21, 2009 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? Quote
hidepounder Posted July 21, 2009 Report Posted July 21, 2009 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 Quote
Steve Brewer Posted July 21, 2009 Report Posted July 21, 2009 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 Quote
Members mulefool Posted July 21, 2009 Members Report Posted July 21, 2009 I'm with the vertical, too. I only use the horizontal for repairs where the stirrup leathers are already punched that way. Chris Quote www.horseandmulegear.com
hidepounder Posted July 21, 2009 Report Posted July 21, 2009 I just love this place!!! Steve, I didn't even know they were available in brass! Bob Quote
Members D.A. Kabatoff Posted July 21, 2009 Members Report Posted July 21, 2009 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 Quote
Steve Brewer Posted July 21, 2009 Report Posted July 21, 2009 Darc,I have had trouble with the Sleeves also.If they don't order Belvins,I use Superior buckles on almost every thing ordered with Quick change buckles Quote
Members kseidel Posted July 21, 2009 Members Report Posted July 21, 2009 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. Quote Keith Seidel Seidel's Saddlery www.seidelsaddlery.com
hidepounder Posted July 21, 2009 Report Posted July 21, 2009 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 Quote
Steve Brewer Posted July 21, 2009 Report Posted July 21, 2009 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 Quote
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