arbalet12 Report post Posted January 28, 2013 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sicksteene Report post Posted January 28, 2013 I don't know anything about saddle construction, but all I can say is WOW!!!! Great work. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sherkhan1962 Report post Posted January 28, 2013 Your First Saddle????????? Damned!, you deserve compliments for sure! Another job that makes me think that I should try tooling. Thanks for showing. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
benlilly1 Report post Posted January 28, 2013 Whoa, that's nice!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OdinUK Report post Posted January 28, 2013 Unbelievable!!! WOW! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shtoink Report post Posted January 28, 2013 Holy Hell! That is some amazing work! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ozark Report post Posted January 28, 2013 That is beautiful work! I can't believe it is your first saddle. Pat Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Havamal Report post Posted January 28, 2013 Now that is impressive, hard to believe that it is your first saddle! I realy like how you incorporated the knotwork style in with the traditional tooling! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Denise Report post Posted January 28, 2013 Very nice work. My question is where did you get the tree (inside frame) for it. Can you post pictures of the tree before you covered it? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
arbalet12 Report post Posted January 31, 2013 Thank you very much for everybody. I am very pleasure that you like my saddle. I had got a traditional kazakh tree, and unfortunately I have no photo of it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
immiketoo Report post Posted January 31, 2013 (edited) Whoa, that's nice!! Clever! Lol! I am NOT amazed by this. But, I am still impressed. That guy can do anything with leather and he has mastered leather tooling. After that it's a matter of construction. It IS an impressive piece of work, and I am a huge fan. Will the braid at the top rub on the horse at all? Edited January 31, 2013 by immiketoo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oltoot Report post Posted January 31, 2013 Is this traditional Kazakh construction or an arranged (arranged by you) marriage of Kazakh and western methods? Where does the inspiration for the tooling designs come from? This is all extremely interesting to these tired old western eyes! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Murray Report post Posted January 31, 2013 FANTASTIC design/tooling work. I aspire to a first attempt 1/10th that good. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shadowryder Report post Posted January 31, 2013 after googling kazack saddle tree this is what i found, some interesting images here, https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=kazakh+tree&hl=en&tbo=d&rlz=1C1AFAB_enGB512GB512&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=LvQKUa2QEOao0AW18oHADA&ved=0CAoQ_AUoAA&biw=1366&bih=655#hl=en&safe=off&tbo=d&rlz=1C1AFAB_enGB512GB512&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=kazakh+saddle+tree&oq=kazakh+saddle+tree&gs_l=img.12...17198.20795.0.23886.7.7.0.0.0.0.217.868.3j3j1.7.0...0.0...1c.1.8G0kZUTpzts&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.&bvm=bv.41642243,d.d2k&fp=b489d75d97d6b9bf&biw=1366&bih=655 BY THE WAY,,,,, AWESOME WORK Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MakerUnknown Report post Posted January 31, 2013 Sure is a good looking saddle. I really like the metal hardware you chose. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
arbalet12 Report post Posted February 4, 2013 Thanks. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jimbob Report post Posted February 5, 2013 I have seen your other work and I know you are a master of the masters in leather art...but this saddle is a step up, if there can be one at your level .......guess what I am trying to say is: You are an amazing artist and you are the most artistic leather craftsman here on this forum!!! Greetings Jimbob Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aurelie Report post Posted February 5, 2013 Congrats! As usual, your carving is amazing, top notch, fantastic! I am a hug fan of your artwork :D Stand up among the usual "western style carving" It's different and it's nice and interesting! Keep up with that (this is not me who would say otherwise ) Regarding the saddle building part : I tried to look on internet to find some good pictures of horses with that Kazak kind of saddle and i haven't found some So i would be very interested to see one if you have one I do not know how those Kazack saddles are technically done specifically and i would be interested if you could explain a bit more. From where i seat, it does look a bit like western saddles (with skirts, i mean - at least) Here what i think from what i can see (this is only my opinion and some interrogations ) if someones wants to add some insight : feel free to do it It seems that the length of the skirts is huge (maybe even too long) => back part (from the back cantle to the extremity ) feel like it's too long . it will rub hard on the loins of the horse and hurt him => same with the front part , it looks like really long too and would dig in the shoulders IF we're speaking of a saddle meant to go on a horseback and work If it's a display saddle.....we do not care ...no harm done! can you confirm? or explain more, please? That's why i asked some pictures with saddle on the horse AND more technical informations about Kazak saddles I find it really interesting to share and compare And again : congrats for the art work By the way : you should post it on the saddle construction part of the forum! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
arbalet12 Report post Posted February 8, 2013 Congrats! Thank you for your detailed answer, i waited such type of questions. I have some doubts about the constructions too. When I tried on this saddle on the horse it was end-to-end, and i dont know how it will be while driving-riding. It is my first saddle. I will photo it on the horse soon. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aurelie Report post Posted February 8, 2013 (edited) Thank you for your detailed answer, i waited such type of questions. I have some doubts about the constructions too. When I tried on this saddle on the horse it was end-to-end, and i dont know how it will be while driving-riding. It is my first saddle. I will photo it on the horse soon. The "Masters" for this kind of question, you will find them here : http://leatherworker...hp?showforum=62 You will find there the most constructive of answers to specific replies you ask or "criticism" or advices. By the way, you've built your saddle following what kind of "book" or "principle"? I am in the business for 2 years and what i can tell you : - there is NOT a single way of doing it => you have to find what works for you. - Everyone or almost everyone is telling you so but when you do differently you're finger pointed (been there, done that) - There are very good unknown saddlers around and Justice is not really done to them often You will hear a lot about/from the "old known ones" .....good ones because they've got 20 or so years of experience behind them ( And contrary to what most say = they've done experiment and mistake like EVERYBODY ) . As i like to say : Rome has not been built overnight.... But sometimes the "roots" or the "essence" (as i call them) of a western saddle - or else- is forgotten => This is a "tool" and must be adapted to what it should do => riding horses , being confortable for the horse in ANY situation and confortable for the rider ...then after that IF it's nice looking? it's a bonus but what would you do with a F****G AWSOME saddle that sore your horse? ( i am making here a "bigger" picture but i can tell you that i have seen some 3000$ worth saddles that i would not put on a horse) So? my advice : Get all the feedback you can have . Do not take everything as "Godwords" because this is Mr "X" saying so. Think by yourself and know that everything is linked to "common sense" . Read as many books you can regarding saddle making , saddle-fitting , talk of this with as many people you can. horse riders included - even if most of them - in france at least - know nought about saddle fitting and saddles . it's just a tool for them so you can't blame them ...it should be a saddle maker job to worry about that. Everything you will hear will not be good though, so be prepared to think and and select your information. Take everything that can help you improve your job and try to leave the rest aside (jealousy, stupidity and so-on...) and above all : Develop your OWN creativity ! You do not do "western style carving" so you're good to nothing??? = forget about it! Things changes for the best in time I am not mincing my words here , i do not have friends for that and to be honest i do not give a F***K for that. I am just sometimes tired of that because i am a "rookie", i do things differently (and sometimes better than some guys) and i am a girl to top it of ...and guess what?That might "tick off" their virility + Girls are supposed to not being able to build saddles (Yes i have a 2 years old daugther and it does not symplify the job ...but then????) SO GO! Arbalet! Keep going :D and keep us posted on your work As for me, i will always be there to answer your questions (if i am able to ) or point you toward some books or guys that can help you :D Edited February 8, 2013 by Aurelie Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aurelie Report post Posted February 8, 2013 (edited) :D Edited February 8, 2013 by Aurelie Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aguilerag Report post Posted February 13, 2013 Very nice work. I really like the look and design. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rockin b Report post Posted February 14, 2013 Really a great job on this saddle. I have never seen a saddle like this one. And your first one to boot. WOW. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Samalan Report post Posted February 15, 2013 Wow Nice! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
arbalet12 Report post Posted February 21, 2013 :D Thank you for your remarks, it is very important for me. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
