Newbie With No Idea!

[fellasmyboy]

Hi All,

I'm new round here and am starting to think I might be a wee bit out of my league!

A little bit about me - I's a Sydney girl and I believe you should ride hard or go home, which I suppose translates somewhat into my work ethic. I ride reining horses, and would like to try my hand at a show saddle (..and eventually a matching bridle) as they are just so damn expensive!

Now for my questions -

I am going tomorrow to a leather specialist to look into the Al Stolhman books. However, I'm wondering just how much equipment I am going to need - I know I will probably find this out in the books, but I thought I would find out a bit before I trek out there.

For instance, is it realistic to think that I can hand stitch the whole saddle?

What am I going to need to purchase in the way of 'bigger investments'?

Also, I am not sure if anyone will know, but are there any tree manufacturers in Australia?

Thanks for reading!

Lisa

[fellasmyboy]

Forgot to mention, I have no real leather experience besides from a bit of leather braiding back when I was a kid. Last year I also made a pair of full length fringed chaps.

[Luke Hatley]

Let me say this"you will have a rough row to hoe".

With the expetince that you have you are going to have to have a lot of teaching to build a saddle.

A lot of folks do leather work and there goal is "I want to build a Saddle".

Get an old saddle take it completly apart......put it back together...this is a start.

Learn the atonomy of the human body... to fit the saddle to it.

then learn the atonomy of the horse...as how to fit the saddle to it.

THESE ARE MY PERSPECTIVE...........

And then would the one you have built be better than one that you could have bought?.....I dont think so.

Mabey someone else will be more positive in your endaevor.

Edited May 24, 2010 by Luke Hatley

[Cowboy Crafts Online]

If you are looking for a tree maker in AUS. Try to find contact information for Warren Wright. There are several other tree makers over there. I just do not have list of names at this time. If you contact Denise Nikkel she should be able to point you in the right direction.

Ashley

[barra]

Lisa. Here is a link that might be helpful.

http://www.buckshotsaddletrees.com

He is up in QLD

Sorry for the quick reply, work calls

Barra

[leatheroo]

hi lisa, a good place to start might be to polish up your skills, have a look at this site http://www.leatherworkersguildnsw.org.au/index.htm i dont know if they are anywhere near you, but a few classes would put you in contact with people who have knowledge of aussie leathecraft

cheers

caroline

Geelong Victoria

[fellasmyboy]

Thank you all for your help and prompt replies.

Luke - I have no doubt that it will be a tough road to go down, but I am willing to learn and think it would be a fantastic achievement. Thanks for your realistic words!

Ashley - Thanks for those names, will look into them.

Thanks Barra - Will be contacting him today to have a chat about his trees.

Thank you Caroline - have just had a look through their website - some interesting stuff on there! Will definitely look into going to some of their events.

In regards to gaining more knowledge, I just received a brochure from Eddy Powell about his Saddle Making classes - he charges AU $4235 for an 8 day course where you make your own saddle and have everything provided (not including silver etc..). I would do it in a heartbeat but he is located in QLD and I am in Syd. I suppose I need a little bit of persuasion - is this good value for this type of course? I won't be leaving with any tool etc.. but I will have a saddle that I have made myself under Eddy's instruction.

Opinions?

[Tentman]

Hello from across the ditch . . .

You should be abe to find a copy of Robin Yate's old saddlemaking book (probably from secondhand shops, I doubt its still in print) - He was an Aussie and his book is good. Many years ago a cobber and I built saddles with no one to ask (now we have the net and all the good folk here etc.) using just this book. My first saddle wasn't too much to write home about but I still have it and use if frequently. The second one was 200% better in terms of finish and 20 years later is my everyday using saddle.

You have some good tree makers over there, Bob Wattus springs to mind. Thing is unless you are a do things "right first time" sort of person I feel that sometimes its best to start with an inexpensive tree like a Ralide (just watch all the custom guys here scream) and "knock one bastard off" just to learn on before you go all out. Worked for me. You don't need any machines, I'm on abuot saddle 7 now and still do everything (including ALL stitching) by hand, its only about 10% more hours in a saddle I reckon. I'm just about to do my first Aussie Stock saddle and the inexpensive first test peice is the way I'm going.

One other thing thats useful to understand hanging out here with folk who are consumate professionals and true artists:

"Amateurs practise till they get it right, professionals practise till they can't get it wrong"

Cheers - Foster

[horsewreck]

Get the Stolhman books, read them, and if your first saddle is to be a plain affair, you don't need a lot of tools. As far as hand stitching a complete saddle, I made my first saddles without a stitcher and it is very rewarding. If we want to learn and make a good product your best tools are at the end of your arms, and the top of your neck..... Good luck

[dirtclod]

If you want to build Stock Saddles i would get the Ron Edwards books. He is from Australia and is a saddle maker. Plus he has several other books Australian Bush Craft books and their great ! He shows how to beaid make tools along with lots of other handy things. They might have them at your locla libary along with some of the other books. Have you checked there ? Now if i could just find mine after the move..LOL.

[fellasmyboy]

Thanks guys.

Foster, will go have a look at the Robin Yates book - I know of someone with one of his saddles and they just love it. I'm definitely learning a lot from hanging around on here - I am in awe of the quality of work too, I love sitting down and going through all the old photo's. It's great to hear other peoples experiences too.

Thanks horsewreck, glad to hear that I probably don't need as many bits and bobs as I thought I might have!

Dirtclod - don't you hate that? lol I am actually wanting to make a western reining saddle, but will look into Ron Edwards as he might have some good tips.

[dirtclod]

Robin Yates book leaves alot of things out in my IMHO. If you can get the Al Stholman books you will be money ahead. Along with alot less head aches when your making patterns and such. I've bought alot of saddle making books over the last 25 years and Stholman's books are by far the best value for the money. Good luck with your saddle no matter who's book you use.

Edited May 28, 2010 by dirtclod

[fellasmyboy]

Good to know. I'll be purchasing Stohlman's books either way, but thought I might have a look at others to get a few points of view and then work something out from there.

I'm going to try and get out to Birdsall Leather in the next day or so to have a look. I noticed on Amazon the Stohlman books were going for about 70 bucks each, whereas at leather shops they are more like $120 each! Talk about a mark up!

Thank again.

[horsewreck]

Even though the Stohlman books are high priced, they are the best books on the subject. GOOD LUCK!!

[Denise]

Regarding Aussie tree makers, you may want to give Dennis Lane a call. His website is about his card system but his contact information is there. He is a saddle maker who had been building his own trees and trees for others since the early 90's. He learned from Dale Harwood. If you give Dennis a call, he is the kind of guy who will be more than willing to give you information on building saddles. Just make sure you have a good phone plan and lots of time when you call.

Warren Wright is actually from New Zealand, but he builds a good tree too.