Isn't Mccall (Lady Wade) A Production Made Saddle?

[Huntet02]

I'm buying a used handmade (Wade Slick seat)saddle on layaway (full 15.5) yet there is also Lady Wade by McCall "rough out" avail. and a friend is trying to sway me towards the Lady Wade McCall probably so he can take the handmade wade. I know the McCall leather quality and craftsmanship have always been top notch but isn't this STILL a production made saddle?

Wonder what their trees are like and their standard gullet width? Here's an ad for one just like the McCall but it only gives gullet height not width

http://www.brightonsaddlery.com/Wade/McCall-Lady-Wade---155-Finished-Seat/PAMEADKDDKPNJPIF/3008-3009-3010/Product

[jwwright]

The McCall saddles have Timberline trees in them, these are production trees.........the same folks that build the McCalls also build the Timberline trees. I guess it depends upon how you want to define "handmade" and "production".. ........................Handmade to me means that the saddle was built by one saddle maker in one shop, no clicked out parts, no preformed fiberglass strainers, etc. By that definition, then McCall saddles are production saddles, but no doubt among the better production saddles. Standard bar configuration on the Timberline / McCalls is 90 degree / 4" handhole / 6 1/4" gullet. JW

Edited August 28, 2010 by jwwright

[Huntet02]

The McCall saddles have Timberline trees in them, these are production trees.........the same folks that build the McCalls also build the Timberline trees. I guess it depends upon how you want to define "handmade" and "production".. ........................Handmade to me means that the saddle was built by one saddle maker in one shop, no clicked out parts, no preformed fiberglass strainers, etc. By that definition, then McCall saddles are production saddles, but no doubt among the better production saddles. Standard bar configuration on the Timberline / McCalls is 90 degree / 4" handhole / 6 1/4" gullet. JW

A man after my own "gullet" heart great to know.....thanks JW once again.

[Saddlebag]

Most production saddles are touted as hand-made, and they are to some extent. Manufacturers speed up the process with machinery that can cut out many, many saddles in the course of a day whereas a saddlemaker will use the better part of a day cutting out one. Each worker becomes very skilled at his/her particular role in the assembly of the saddle. It's like buying shoes off the shelf or custom made. You can still get a very good fit in off the shelf shoes.