Starting First Saddle

[Chaed]

Thanks so much to all of you for posting on this thread!

With christmas holidays, there's been some time to work.

Here's the horn. I'm going with the cap'n wrap style, just waiting for the latigo strap to come in the mail, so I can finish it. It'll get a concho in the middle eventually. I'm waiting for the right inspiration there. If anyone of you knows custom concho makers, give me a shout.

This is the cantle back. It'll get something like a maker plate in the ellipse there.

My hands sure hurt after doing the fenders. I needed about three days for each. Hardcore workout for my fingers.

These are the stirrups to go along with. I'm not entirely happy with them, but I have yet to figure out what exactly it is I don't like.

Next on the list are the jockeys and twisting the fenders Nevada style. I read somewhere that instead of just wrapping latigo around them, you could braid something a la turkshead or pineapple knot. I haven't seen a picture of this method, but it sure sounds interesting. I've never braided before, but then again this is a project of many firsts.

Cheers from Austria,

Anne

[Denise]

It is sure coming along nicely Anne. Good work.

[JinxedDream]

Wow! Great work. I definitely want to go this route someday.

[Chaed]

Hey guys! It's been awhile since the last update, but I've been eagerly working.

Here's some stirrup twisting for you. I looked up turkshead braiding and will go with that once I do the final assembly.

Here's some closeup on a stirrup carving.

Next is the seat. I followed Harry Adams' book for this one and although the seat has been my biggest fear it turned out to be managable.

Next came the cheyenne roll. A lot of bad language was involved. If I had to rank what step I hated most about this project, places 1, 2 and 3 all go to the cheyenne roll. It turned out bad, the carving faded once I put it on for good and any good saddle maker will go blind if he sees the stitching on the back side! (which I'll spare you pictures of, because it looks like a 5-year old did a poor job at it)

And then it seemed as if it was all ready for assembly...

[Chaed]

... and I apparently reached the maximum amount of pictures per post. So sorry for the double post. But here goes.

So. I put the jockeys on.

The skirts are not attached here, but you can definitely see that the jockeys are off big time. BIG TIME. I could pull, push, and basically do all I wanted, they wouldn't look prettier. The line between the front and back is just so off, it was frustrating. They fit before. I don't know what happened or if the evil leather ghost jinxed them to death, but they just looked horrible. The second pic shows what I want them to look like.

There was a big internal argument then... and I decided to redo the whole thing if I ever wanted to look at this saddle and be fine with the results.

Again, skirts are not attached and jockeys aren't pulled down, but this is just... much better. And it only cost me two additional days. Oh yeah. And I stamped the fork meanwhile too. In all the cheyenne roll and jockey frustration I just forgot to take pics of the process, sorry!

Next, and - I barely dare say it - LAST is the back cinch and then this baby goes through some heavy oiling, dyeing and antiquing.

[Northmount]

Wow! Really, really nice work you are doing. Even with the difficulties you are having, it is turning out really great.

Tom

[Denise]

This is looking really nice. I am very impressed with your work, especially for a first saddle.

[lottarope]

Good work keep it up. If it was easy anyone could do it. As far as the wraps on the Nevada twist it'll be probably a 2x knot or better and use kangaroo if you bust a Latino lace when your finishing up the knot you will be more than displeased the kangaroo will also be the right weight and not require a splitter. The knot should be the same length as your wrapping to look right and I wouldn't mouse under it for fear of making a lump under my shin. My notes say the thong used is 51x 3/8. Ild probably plan on making a few neck rag slides before I tried tackling this project. If you do Facebook friend me at Coyote Saddlery I have pictures posted there of a couple of saddles with it done to them:)

[Chaed]

Guys, it's finished. Check it out here.