My first saddle

[Clay]

Hi

I just wanted to share my first saddle. It is a Will James tree.

I was lucky enough to get a chance to learn from fellow LW'er Ken Nelson of Dakota Territory Saddle shop. We worked together on this saddle in the early mornings before I had to open the store and in the late evenings when possible. Ken is a very patient and knowledgeable teacher. Some parts of this saddle he did because it was easier to show and do than tell and do, other things I did on my own.

It was a lot of fun and about three times more details and steps than I had emagined. I will be doing another one soon!!

ClayM.

[shirleyz]

Brilliant Clay!!!! Now make a few more and then I'll let you teach me how to make one.

Shirley

[Froghunter]

I'm next after Shirley!!! Show me too!!!!!Oh, and fantastic work Clay!!!!!

[Tina]

Sweeeeet and please...Put me next in line:-)

[abn]

I'm curious... About how many man-hours went into this project? I'm always amazed when folks are able to complete such large projects... I barely have time to complete a thought!

Seriously, though, nice work! Beautiful.

-Alex

[TwinOaks]

Very nice Clay! I've been told by The Boss that I'm to eventually move into tack work. I'm also interested in how long it took to make.

[Clay]

Everyone,

Thanks for the complements. Being the flawed perfectionist that I am I only see the mistakes. I would love to become a saddle maker/teacher... gotta lot to learn, and more experience needed first! lol!

Mike and Alex,

I don't remember exactly how many hours it was, I started on it about two months ago and worked on it an hour in the mornings and two or three in the evenings and on my days off I would put in as much as I could. I think I remember Ken saying that a saddle with minimal stamping and carving takes him a little over 40 hours.

It was weird it seemed so monumental a project that I would be working on for forever, then suddenly it was done.

ClayM.

[rickybobby]

Clay,

Nice job! It looks great! only question I have is "why are the welts on the swell in front?" Is it a choice? Or because of the swell shape a neccessity?

IT is pretty cool when all of these "parts" you have been working on all of a sudden come togetherand there sits a saddle!

Again, Great job, I just had to ask the swell question for my own information/learning

Rick J.

[Clay]

It looks great! only question I have is "why are the welts on the swell in front?" Is it a choice? Or because of the swell shape a neccessity?

Ricky,

Sure ask a good question to show everyone just exactly how much I didn't pay attention...lol

Actually Ken said that it is how he perfers to do the welts. The fork cover went on fairly easily, but I don't think putting the welts on the front was a neccessity beacuse of the shape of the swells or to make it easier. I guess it is a personal taste thing. Ken, Bruce, Keith, some one jump in here and save me...

ClayM

[Don101]

Congrats Clay on your first saddle a job well done, Don

[ClayB]

Hi Clay,

Looks like that turned out really nice. I cant imaging trying to do that before and after work. Do you get to display it for a few days? I'd like to get a chance to see it before it goes to it's new owner.

When I was learning, Rex told me he likes to put the welts off to the front because they are a little out of the way and less likely to get rubbed and scuffed there. Not sure if that's the only reason for it or not, but that's how I have done mine too.

The other Clay