Good Ranch Saddle

[hidepounder]

I think Keiths comments are right on the mark.....that's good advice IMHO.

Bobby

[Weazer]

I think Keiths comments are right on the mark.....that's good advice IMHO.

Bobby

I would like to thank all of you for your advice in this post. I decided to have the gentleman I mentioned earlier in this thread (Jeremy Stead) make a saddle for me. He came across as a very knowledgeable and honest man. We hooked up with Randy at Timberline to make a premium tree based upon measurements taken of my horse. The price will be close to my budget but we have not finalized it yet. As for the Colorado Saddlery saddles....I do really like them, however, as a twenty year federal law enforcement agent in Chicago....I just can't buy something made by inmates....too many bad experiences, and too many good people should have those jobs. Strictly my opinion for my own reasons. I wish I hadn't found out where they are made. I went to all of the web sites provided by all of you, and must say there are some very amazing saddles being made. Maybe someday in the future I'll take that jump. I love the handle "Hidepounder", however, it has a different meaning here. LOL

[Jeremy Stead]

I'm in the market for a good ranch/trail saddle and need some advise. I recently went Elk Hunting and the outfitter had a Colorado Saddlery Continental Divide that I loved. Started looking and stumbled across this website. Found out that they are made in a prison and use Hadcock and Fox trees. Found out that most of you think those trees are junk. I've owned a Billy Cook trainer, older well built, but not what I wanted so I sold it. I purchased a SRS with a 7 inch gullet width but it was too wide for one of my horses. I am currently using my wife's Tucker, but it is too fufu. I have also ridden in Teskey's, Vinton and some Martins that were decent, but once again, most on this site are really down on rack, production saddles. I am considering working with a custom or semi custom saddle maker to build or sell me a saddle. However, I don't want to waste anymore money. I'd like to get it right this time. I only want to spend 1,500 to 2,000 dollars. It would appear that several of you agree that timberline saddle trees are good production trees. Are there any saddles made on these trees that can be purchased off the rack or ordered in my price range? Or, is there a saddle maker who can make a saddle in this price range that is custom or semi custom. Your comments and advice is appreciated.

Hi Weazer,

Jeremy Stead here, when you want a ranch saddle for $1500.00 that will last a lifetime you know where to find me. Name the tree, if you are comfortable with Timberline trees, I'll call Randy. We'll prove to these guys what a durable saddle can be, without digging DEEP into your pockets.

Thanks,

[colttrainer]

Hi Weazer,

Jeremy Stead here, when you want a ranch saddle for $1500.00 that will last a lifetime you know where to find me. Name the tree, if you are comfortable with Timberline trees, I'll call Randy. We'll prove to these guys what a durable saddle can be, without digging DEEP into your pockets.

Thanks,

Jeremy, I have to agree with you. If built on a prodution made tree, minamal tooling, you can build a saddle that will last a life time. I think that based on my supply costs it would be priced in around $2000.00.

Lets face it you are paying for the time it takes to do the tooling on the high end custom saddles, along with in most cases higher end hardware.

Some of these folks are not charging enough for their work ( quality of tooling & time spent) & others are being over paid.

[RWB]

Colttrainer,

I would be curious as to how you would define "overpaid" for a saddle. My base price is $3,000, and that is for a rough-out or smooth-out without any stamping. I know that Keith Seidel's base is somewhere in the neighborhood of $6,500. But Keith can justify that because he has the customer base and experience that I do not. However I literally can't price a saddle lower than $3,000 considering the time and material that I have into one. Plus on top of all that, I have shop overhead, taxes, tools, advertising, and I have to make a wage that will sustain a living. Plus after all that is said and done I am still trying to build a better mouse trap. A saddle that is a little or a lot nicer than the guy down the road builds. So that means more time trying to refine my skills in the effort to give my customers a more refined product that is worthy of my price tag.

So all of that to just say that I'm somewhat curious were you think the line is of not being paid enough and being overpaid for a saddle is.

Ross Brunk

Edited February 21, 2010 by RWB

[Steve Brewer]

Colttrainer,

I would be curious as to how you would define "overpaid" for a saddle. My base price is $3,000, and that is for a rough-out or smooth-out without any stamping. I know that Keith Seidel's base is somewhere in the neighborhood of $6,500. But Keith can justify that because he has the customer base and experience that I do not. However I literally can't price a saddle lower than $3,000 considering the time and material that I have into one. Plus on top of all that, I have shop overhead, taxes, tools, advertising, and I have to make a wage that will sustain a living. Plus after all that is said and done I am still trying to build a better mouse trap. A saddle that is a little or a lot nicer than the guy down the road builds. So that means more time trying to refine my skills in the effort to give my customers a more refined product that is worthy of my price tag.

So all of that to just say that I'm somewhat curious were you think the line is of not being paid enough and being overpaid for a saddle is.

Ross Brunk

Very well said Ross,everyone prices there saddles a little different.Shop time needs to let us make a living.

Steve Brewer

[colttrainer]

Colttrainer,

I would be curious as to how you would define "overpaid" for a saddle. My base price is $3,000, and that is for a rough-out or smooth-out without any stamping. I know that Keith Seidel's base is somewhere in the neighborhood of $6,500. But Keith can justify that because he has the customer base and experience that I do not. However I literally can't price a saddle lower than $3,000 considering the time and material that I have into one. Plus on top of all that, I have shop overhead, taxes, tools, advertising, and I have to make a wage that will sustain a living. Plus after all that is said and done I am still trying to build a better mouse trap. A saddle that is a little or a lot nicer than the guy down the road builds. So that means more time trying to refine my skills in the effort to give my customers a more refined product that is worthy of my price tag.

So all of that to just say that I'm somewhat curious were you think the line is of not being paid enough and being overpaid for a saddle is.

Ross Brunk

What I was trying to say and I am not sure that it came across right or not is .1) There are alot of very artistic crafts men out there that I feel should probably be charging more for their work, not only is the tooling superb but they truely know how to build a saddle.

2) there are the ones that they have no idea what it takes to make a saddle, not something that looks like a saddle,but a true working piece of gear. These are the ones I feel are getting paid more than what their work deserves. All the power to them.

I also understand what you are saying in regards to over head etc., but keep in mind there are the ones that have alot less in these expences. Geographic area, buying power can all reflect on the final numbers.

I was not trying to start a war, this is my opionon, which you may find totally of base & that would be you choice. But for the most part people getwhat they are worth & if they are not worth it they don't last.

[colttrainer]

Colttrainer,

I would be curious as to how you would define "overpaid" for a saddle. My base price is $3,000, and that is for a rough-out or smooth-out without any stamping. I know that Keith Seidel's base is somewhere in the neighborhood of $6,500. But Keith can justify that because he has the customer base and experience that I do not. However I literally can't price a saddle lower than $3,000 considering the time and material that I have into one. Plus on top of all that, I have shop overhead, taxes, tools, advertising, and I have to make a wage that will sustain a living. Plus after all that is said and done I am still trying to build a better mouse trap. A saddle that is a little or a lot nicer than the guy down the road builds. So that means more time trying to refine my skills in the effort to give my customers a more refined product that is worthy of my price tag.

So all of that to just say that I'm somewhat curious were you think the line is of not being paid enough and being overpaid for a saddle is.

Ross Brunk

Ross to further try and clarify what I was getting at, lets say you & I were to build twin saddles, priced the same. All aspects the same ( overhead, material costs ect. ) I would say you are under paid & I am over paid. Your years as a saddle maker is worth something, my lack of refinement is worth less. Just because my cost are the same as yours doesn't mean my product is worth as much as yours. So if I need that much to stay in bus. that tells me that you should be charging more hence under paid. I do realize also that customer base dictates to some degree what a person gets paid.

Until I tried tooling leather, and creating things in leather did I realize the effort, & artistic talent that is involved in creating these works of art.

Al

Edited February 22, 2010 by colttrainer

[BondoBobCustomSaddles]

Weazer, I got your note. Actually, I wasn't looking to make you a saddle. My base saddles start at $2,650,and with the amount of work that goes into one, I can't afford to drop that price, however, what I had in mind is that I have 2 saddles here, one I am going to sell, which one depends on which has a buyer first. The one is fresh off the bench and was going to be for a woman that had put a down payment on it and was buying it to surprise her husband. during the build process he surprised her with divorce papers! Needless to say, she isn't going to buy this saddle now, but; I am discounting it by the amount of her deposit so it is for sale @ $3,500. The other is a used cutting saddle I made for myself, and does not have much use, too busy working to pay the bills to ride lately ao it hasn't been getting much use. The saddle is one that had a price tag of $3,500 on it new, but; I will sell it for $2,000. These may be in your price range and are both completely hand made. If that interests you just let me know and we can talk further. I am attaching a couple of pics of them.

Bondo Bob

[MarkB]

Weazer

I have this saddle for sale for 2000.00 if you would like more information on me let me know.

Mark