Latest Off The Bench

[BondoBobCustomSaddles]

Ok, here is the second try at this post. The only thing worse than the pics is this computer! Anyway, I will try to get some better pics as soon as it becomes day light out and I can try to take some pics in natural daylight. Pictured here is my version of the John Wayne tribute saddle. When I saw the one that Circle Y did, I felt it was too commercial, so I decided to make one myself. I have been working on this one in the part time when I have a moment, which is why it took me so long. Things different about this one is, first I didn't go for all that fluff with characterizations of JW, and plaques and so on. What I built is based off of what I saw in the Circle Y saddle, and is true to the style about the turn of the century, with large flower ornate carving, plate rigging, bowman style tree, medium rise cantle, and so on. This saddle also has a set of brass wear plates on the front rigging that actually are 100 years old. Came from a worn out, broken saddle of that era. Also, in keeping with the tribute idea, I named it "Old Dollar" after the horse that Duke rode in his last movie "The Shootist", the conchos are morgan silver dollar conchos, and it is tooled into the back of the cantle. I decided that I better get some pics of it before it is gone. There is already a woman interested and it is not even done, I still have to do that stirrups, and rear cinch strap. I was originally going to put a rope strap and 60' rawhide reata on it, but; the woman that is currently sniffing around it doesn't want that. At any rate here it is. Hope you approve!

Bondo Bob

[Storm]

Hi Bob,

That will do Pilgrim , that will do! I love everything about this saddle! :You_Rock_Emoticon:The color is primo! What did you use to finish it off? The Duke would be proud!!! How long did it take you to make it? There would be a few hours of work in this one.

Thanx,

Storm

[BondoBobCustomSaddles]

Well, here are some more and slightly better pics. Comments are welcome, as long as they are not about my picture taking and/or camera equipment. Pics are not my long suit. Oh, here comes the sun, of course after I took the pics. Guess the weather isn't my long suit either!

Bondo Bob

[Storm]

Thanx Bob,

You know I really love the old style pattern. Gives it a real period feeling. Don't worry about the weather...there taint nothin ya can do about it except complain when it's not what you want. HA!

Storm

[Bevan]

Well Bob

you have nailed it , that is one AWSOME saddle, what were the hrs spent on this lovely master piece ????

thanks for posting your work,

Cheers

Bevan.

Edited February 2, 2010 by Bevan

[RonaldSe]

That is one beautiful saddle!!!!! Great work, I'm sure the Duke would be proud to ride it.

George

[BondoBobCustomSaddles]

Thank's all for the kind words. I like to do this kind of work just because it makes me feel good, but; it is always nice to hear that people like what you do. As for how long it took, I really can't say cause' like I said, I built this one a piece at a time, when I had a few moments, with no set dead line. I started on it about a year and a half ago, but; without an owner waiting for it, I just kind of putzed along. If I were to build one like it for a customer, it would take about 8 to 10 weeks for a tree to be made (all of them are custom made to order), then about 4 months to build and tool one like this. I usually do just one at a time, cause' that's the way the market is up here in Michigan. Not a lot of people that know what they really want/need, and are willing to pay for it. Storm, the finish is basic. I started with a coat of pure neetsfoot oil after tooling, then a coat of Fieblings oil die saddle tan. After it dryed, I used a coat of neatlac, on my fingertip to resist the high areas, once that was dry, I then put a coat of antique, after which I finished it off with neatlac, and polished with a piece of sheep skin. The edges were done the same way that Bob Parks has in his link.

Once again, thanks for the kind words.

Bondo Bob

[easyrider]

Your saddle is drop dead gorgeous, it literally took my breath away. I have been looking at custom made saddles and have viewed hundreds and this saddle is my favorite. Keep up the great work!

[Hawgman]

Dang it now I want to make a saddle. I'm never gonna get through learnig all this stuff.

Really nice work.

[JLSleather]

Now I gotta buy a horse???????????

LOVE the colors, sue-weeeet.

[Newfman]

I can just see Ol' Rooster, sittin in that saddle. Man i miss him. Really nice job.