First Saddle

[BondoBobCustomSaddles]

CW, very nice work, especially for your first. I agree with JW as to what he thinks about the skirts. As for the fenders, something that I do when I make a saddle for a youth is make 2 sets of stirrups, one set for now and one set for when they grow up some. Not a lot of extra work, but; well worth it . One thing I think I see is the alignment of the rear jockeys with the centerline of the saddle. Perhaps just the picture. That happens to me sometime when I take pics, they just don't accurately reflect what's there. If they are off a litte, just wet them dome, and really draw spike them in place , that will serve to center them, and at the same time, pull the edge of the jockey down tight to the skirt, for a nice finished look. When I cut the front seat cover to form around the swells, I always leave at lease 1/2" extra inch because no matter how careful you are, once you bevel the under side at the edge of the cut it really drops down more than you think it will. It appears as if you got really close to showing one of the tacks that holds your fork cover on at the back on the left side. Leaving extra will allow you to tune after you bevel and finish the edges. Bottom line, if we have to nit pic that close, you are doing a really fine job.

Bob

[bruce johnson]

CW,

What I do for those short stirrup riders is to just make a strap - no fender or minimal fender (like bronc leather flaps). I am out now, but found some 2" Blevins-like buckles a few years ago. They turn easier and don't twist up and lift the seat jockeys as much as even small fenders do. Once they outgrow them, then go to the fenders. I still smile looking at those pictures of your son sitting in his new saddle. Just too cool.

[CWR]

Bob,

Thanks for the compliments and critiques.

You are right. One of those tacks almost shows. The problem was more of when I covered the swells. That tack is too high up and to make matters worse I missed a lick with my hammer and put a hammer mark even higher. I thought I had it covered and when my seat leather dried it shrunk some and that hammer mark was awful close to the edge.

Bruce,

A guy brought me his little girls saddle to build some taps and it had stirrup leathers that were like that but the just had regular buckles on them. I thought about doing some that way or using some Superior's.

He makes me smile every day. We are sure proud of him.

Thanks CW.