D.A. Kabatoff Report post Posted July 15, 2011 Here's a half-breed I just finished up on one of Jon Watsabaugh's fine trees. The fork was kind of a custom job between a Wade and a 13" swell fork. The silver was done by Gary Wiggin's who was recently featured in Western Horseman Magazine... does very nice work. Darcy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TroyWest Report post Posted July 16, 2011 Very nice saddle Darcy. Jon's trees are exceptional. I think a nice tree really shows in a nice saddle. Nice silver also. Love the skirt rigging. Nice little concho on the rope strap. Excellent work. Why do you not tool the binder? Again, very nice. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Steve Brewer Report post Posted July 16, 2011 Nice saddle Darc,as usual.You been Hid out are just Busy? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
D.A. Kabatoff Report post Posted July 16, 2011 thanks guys, Troy, I've never carved a cantle binding before but if I could do one thing different on that saddle, I'd sure try and carve it. Steve, Hope I haven't missed too much, I've been a bit busy lately but things are winding down a bit and I've had some time the last few weeks for reading the forum. Darcy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gtwister09 Report post Posted July 16, 2011 Darcy, Great to see you back. The saddle as Steve and Troy have already mentioned looks great. It is always great to see your posts because you share so many views of the saddle and so much detail. Glad that you are catching your breath. Regards, Ben Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BondoBobCustomSaddles Report post Posted July 16, 2011 Darc, I haven't seen your work lately, glad you posted this one. Very nice as the guys have already said. I also like the way you incorporate your rear cinch keeper into the seat cover, makes for a clean look. Again, very nice. Bob Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jwwright Report post Posted July 16, 2011 Very cool Darcy. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
D.A. Kabatoff Report post Posted July 17, 2011 thanks for the comments guys. Bob, that keeper isn't part of the ear of the seat, it's actually a seperate piece of leather so it's easy to replace if it ever rips through the slot. I think a guy could probably cut it as part of the ear of the seat and if it tore through, trim it down to a regualar shaped ear and replace it with a simple keeper like the one in the picture... I might just try that sometime. Darcy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndyKnight Report post Posted July 17, 2011 Looking Good Darcy, Was that one of Jon's rawhide or his epoxy /fiberglass trees.?? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
D.A. Kabatoff Report post Posted July 17, 2011 Hi Andy, it was one of Jon's rawhided trees...17" seat, 3 3/4" x 12 1/2" cantle, 13" fork, 4" handhole. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
compound Report post Posted July 17, 2011 I agree with all . Very nice saddle and clear work Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cowboy Crafts Online Report post Posted July 18, 2011 Glad to see the pictures, Again it is a great looking saddle. Ash Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steve mason Report post Posted July 18, 2011 Real nice rig Darc. very clean nice lines, and great job on the carving. I like the tree, it sure looks like a Swade. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GrampaJoel Report post Posted July 18, 2011 Well I'll say the same as everyone else, and add.... You sure do a sweet job on stitching!! Joel Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BondoBobCustomSaddles Report post Posted July 19, 2011 thanks for the comments guys. Bob, that keeper isn't part of the ear of the seat, it's actually a seperate piece of leather so it's easy to replace if it ever rips through the slot. I think a guy could probably cut it as part of the ear of the seat and if it tore through, trim it down to a regualar shaped ear and replace it with a simple keeper like the one in the picture... I might just try that sometime. Darcy Yeah, after I looked at it closer, I noticed it, but; it gave me the idea, and that's why I like to look at every one else' work, for ideas. Bob Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
D.A. Kabatoff Report post Posted July 19, 2011 (edited) Real nice rig Darc. very clean nice lines, and great job on the carving. I like the tree, it sure looks like a Swade. Thanks to everyone for the words... Steve, it's funny, the customer was asking me a few days ago what the tree style is called and I explained that the fork is a bit different than a Selway Packer or a wood post Will James and that I wasn't sure there was an official name for it. A bit later I remembered one of your posts mentioning a similar tree that you started calling a "Swade". I've made a few of them now and the guys riding them say they like the style of fork... Perhaps we need to make the name official or something cause I've been telling each customer they can name the tree after themselves... should make for some good feuding if they ever run into each other! Darcy Edited July 19, 2011 by D.A. Kabatoff Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gtwister09 Report post Posted July 19, 2011 Darcy, My vote is for Steve's Swade as an official name... I guess if they are going to feud about the name of their saddle tree then you could call one a Hatfield and the next one a McCoy. Then start over. Regards, Ben Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lamplog Report post Posted July 20, 2011 Great looking saddle Darcy, you certainly give me something to aspire too! I have looked at Steve's Swade and think its a pretty nice marriage. I would think a Mason Swade would give the credit where its due. The tree will certainly get some following. Tom Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
