Tat2edCowboy Report post Posted July 22, 2011 I guess first and foremost I should introduce myself! My name is Sean and I am a disabled veteran. I joined the US Navy at age 21 and was a SAR swimmer for 2 years. I was jumping out of a helicopter during practice ops and hit the water wrong and buckled both knees backwards, did spinal damage, and had severe head trauma. I was in a wheel chair for over a year. During that time I apprenticed as a tattoo artist, and was a tattooist in New York for almost 10 years. After getting tired of city life and the tattooist lifestyle I moved to Washington state where I met my soul mate and now wife Melanie and her daughter Kelsea (at that time was 8). I was fighting the VA for a reasonable disability rating, so I was going to school for web design. Once my rating came through the VA stopped financing my schooling (considered unemployable) so I was left without anything to do. We decided to buy Kelsea her first horse and after some time I also began riding. I found that it helped in my physical rehab. We eventually bought a house on 9 acres, you know to house the now horses. After buying numerous crap saddles, that didn't fit the horse or rider (not being able to afford the nice custom saddles I see all of you making) and still finding myself with way toooo much time on my hands. With the support of my wife I decided to start doing some leather work for a hobby. So after 1 wallet, 1 belt, 1 cell phone case (all kits I might add) I got the bright idea to make saddles and tack. Some jump huh! I first got Dusty Johnson's book and DVD, still not understanding everything and with the advice I have seen on the forums here I got Bill Gomer's DVD and the entire Stohlman book set. I wanted to try one of the saddle making schools, but it was that or the tools to keep working. So, after tax return time and running up credit cards I got everything I needed to build 2 saddles. So now the first one is complete (minus the stirrups that you have probably see on my other post) Before I get into the saddle details I would first like to thank everyone that posts all the help on this site! While I haven't been active on posting I have read numerous advice and tutorials that have helped more than anything I have bought! Finding this site has been a godsend in helping me to complete my first saddle. Now for the saddle, it is built on a Precision Saddle Tree. It is the Cliff Wade with a 16" Seat and the Kevlar and Durahide covering. The leather is Herman Oak ( note to self, first saddle buy cheaper leather as it took 3 sides due to mistakes). I decided that I would step away from the traditional saddles since so many of you guys do it so great and with my tattooing background would you really expect any less (lol)! I also thought I would try and appeal to the younger cowboys and girls, so I did a flame theme. Yes I think I will try and stay in the theme type saddles. The skirts are short because originally a friend wanted to buy it and requested short skirts for his short backed horse. Unfortunately there was a tragedy in his family and he was unable to follow through with the purchase, but the skirts were already cut and I couldn't afford to remake them. I figure the purchaser might need the same thing. Also the seat is inlaid stingray. With all that said and sorry for being so long winded, the photos are attached below. Once again thank you to everyone that helped me on the forums whether you knew it or not. Any constructive criticism is more than welcome! Also any advice on a starting price for Ebay would also be helpful! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
connerd Report post Posted July 22, 2011 It looks great Tat2, you get extra credit for innovative tooling. Now you gotta find a horse named Harley Davidson. DJ Conner Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dwight Report post Posted July 22, 2011 Tat2edcowboy, . . . thanks for your service, . . . I had to see the pics enlarged before I could discern the flames, . . . and that would also look good on a horse named Peterbuilt or Kenworth. Seriously, . . . good job, . . . I'm waiting for my grand-daughter or grand-son to come along. If one comes around that is into horses, . . . I'll be making one saddle, . . . if not, . . . well.......................... I've always wanted to take a whack at it, . . . just never took the plunge, . . . glad to see someone who did. Keep up the good work, . . . looking forward to seeing # 2. May God bless, Dwight Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rawhide1 Report post Posted July 29, 2011 I like the thinking out of the box with the tooling!! I think it's pretty neat looking I can't really critique it as I've never built one. I will give you credit for having the conjas to jump in and build one. The next one should be easier from what I've heard. Best of luck, Mike Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tat2edCowboy Report post Posted July 29, 2011 Thank you for all the positive replies! I will get some better pictures to add once I get the stirrups in. I was just so excited about finishing it that I wanted to get it posted. I should be starting on the second saddle in the next week or two, so if anyone has an idea for another saddle “theme” I am very interested in hearing your thoughts. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BondoBobCustomSaddles Report post Posted July 29, 2011 Tat, first and foremost, glad to see that you didn't let the VA get you Down, I am still working on getting them to belly up to the table on the agent orange thing and hearing loss. As for your saddle work, it is obvious that your tattoo experience has given you a good eye for straight lines and composition and it will serve you well in your saddle design. For a first it is a lot of work, and of course there is still a lot to learn, like a lot of the guys on here will tell you, we are always learning new things. If I were you I would keep on, and on each new project, I would pick out a couple of items the I was unsatisfied with about my last project and work on those to make sure they or perfect on the next . With that said, I would suggest that you start with the edges of your leather. There is a very good tutorial from Bob Park on here that will get your projects looking 4.0 ( a sailor will will understand that number). The perfection is in the details and that's where I would go take my work to the next level. Here's hoping to see more of your work as you progress to #s 2,3,4 and so on. Excellent job on your first. Happy leatherworking! Bob Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tat2edCowboy Report post Posted July 30, 2011 With that said, I would suggest that you start with the edges of your leather. There is a very good tutorial from Bob Park on here that will get your projects looking 4.0 ( a sailor will will understand that number). The perfection is in the details and that's where I would go take my work to the next level. Here's hoping to see more of your work as you progress to #s 2,3,4 and so on. Excellent job on your first. Bob, Thank you for the reply, I am always striviving for a 4.0 in everything I do, I guess it is ingrained in my DNA now! As for the Bob Park link I did a search and had trouble finding it, so it would be greatly appreciated if you could post me a link to get there! I must say thank you for the advice and there are many items I see right off that I will be working on to improve in the future. As for the VA, stay on them, document everything, appeal and reapply every chance you get. It took me over 10 years but eventually they looked at my records, med history, etc... and gave me what I feel was a satisfatory rating. You can't let anything in life get you down, you learn, improve yourself, help others, and enjoy life! Life is way too short not to! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Phatdaddy Report post Posted July 30, 2011 That should add about 5 horsepower... Very cool! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
roo4u Report post Posted July 30, 2011 its a cool looking saddle....i could see some of these younger ropers wanting something like that. ive seen some tattoed pierced hard rock heavy metal looking kids out team penning and jackpot roping that would probably love somthing like that.............................heres the link to leatherpounders tutorial on edges http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=18101 keep em coming... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aurelie Report post Posted October 17, 2011 :D Yes !! i see i am not the only one to have some "crazy " ideas about designs on saddles! High 5 for you Tat2 !! "chapeau bas" as said in french really great job for a 1 st saddle and most of all "learnt " by yourself with a book and a dvd!! really, congrats! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pete Report post Posted October 17, 2011 really wild! ONLY thing that I wouldn't like is the stingray seat. I'll bet a calf roper would go through a pair of jeans at least once a week with butt burn to boot! I save my stingray for grating wasabi and horseradish.(I love ot cook) pete Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LBennett Report post Posted May 29, 2013 I am a few years late even looking at this, but just wanted to say it was a great first saddle! as for the stingray, I know a large number of barrel racers that love it on their seats Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tex Report post Posted July 16, 2013 Great job on the saddle. That was a pretty good jump to take but being a jumper I am sure it no step for a stepper. Keep up the good work, continue on & Thank You Sir for Your Service to our country. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
