Saddle treemakers-sub topic

[Hidemechanic]

For those trying to choose the tree maufacturer based on the type of tree that suites their need.

I.E., some mfgs. build trees in high volume for major saddle companies.

Some mfgs. build for the individual saddle makers who build a lower number of saddles per year and those for those willing to use a traditional built tree.

Some tree makers go beyond the traditional technology using sinthetic materials(nylon v.s. rawhide lace, staples v.s. nails,rawhide v.s. fiberglass v.s. bedliner cover ect...) for different reasons, lightness, economy. strenth, weather resistants,ect...

Some tree makers go the extra mile, improving materials (wood type , laminated, ect..)

The diffences in these trees relate to cost for the trees.

How would you guide someone in choosing the tree maker as it relates to their differnces in need from one saddle maker to an other?

[bruce johnson]

A topic for which there is no answer. only opinions, we all got 'em. It depends on level of experience, customer base, customer's intended use, availability from the tree maker, time frame needed, cost considerations, where you live, and how much you are willing to allow in differences in a tree.

Some tree makers make great trees, and several have a closed book of customers. Someone is going to have to die to move onto the list. Others put out several trees a day and sell orders and off the rack. There are new makers who might hand make a good tree and not have the reputation yet. There are old established names whose quality is not what the predecessor was.

Much in the way of specifics is like comparing Dodge, Chevy, and Ford. You can make the best tree or the worst tree, and every one of them will sell. It is up to the maker and ultimately the customer as to what level they expect. Consider that they sell saddles on ebay for $400, and they have a tree in them. Then there are saddles with a base of $4500 or 5000. They better have someone else's tree in them.

We would all like to get even trees, within a decent time frame, and what we need. Bottom line is that there are more people making saddles, and more demand for middle and upper level trees than there are treemakers right now. A bunch of horses go OK everyday in low end trees, and get by because they either aren't ridden enough to see the problems or they do fit within the allowances of those trees.

[bugsy]

best to worse....ford,dodge...................................chevy lol topic well said !

[bruce johnson]

Bugsy,

Everyone's expectations and experiences are going to be different, whether we are talking saddle trees, leather, or pickups. Example - My Chevy has 420K miles, cows have run into it, and it starts everyday. My wife was driving the Dodge, hit a 600# feeder steer at 55 mph in the dark full on, and she and the Dodge both survived. The Ford packs the Capri camper around, and hasn't really been baptised yet. I am not sure which truck or saddle trees are the best. LOL.

[Hidemechanic]

The intention was not to pit one tree maker agaist the other but rather get different views and experiences from other saddlemakers as to the differences they see from one tree make to another, or perhaps to class tree makers based on what they offer. Just want to give the newby something to start with and choices as to what to look for.GH

[bruce johnson]

GH,

First off, all I have ever built on have been rawhided wood trees, nailed, and rawhide laced. I probably followed the same progression a lot of people do. My first few trees were from Bowden, and were and still are OK. I built some barrel racers on a pattern that Hadlock&Fox has. They were alright too. Some issues with lumpy rawhiding on both of these, something to deal with. I had a guy bring me an epoxy dipped tree from H&F and had the seat glassed in already. We opted out of that. I was looking for a little further up the ladder, and started ordering from Timberline. Rawhiding and finish was smoother. Better cantle transitions, more taper to the bar edges, not as clubby, and higher quality for not a lot more money. In 2006 I came home from Sheridan and ordered the exact same tree from Superior, Timberline, and Sonny Felkins as a comparison. The Superior was rugged - thick cluibby bars, lumpy lacing, not what I prefer. The Timberline and Sonny's trees were pretty similar in shape. Nod goes to Sonny's for smoother rawhiding. Was it worth $100 more and 2 months more wait for the rawhiding ? Can't say.

I picked up a few here and there that guys had - old Superiors and Hercules. Good trees, but both no longer made. Some I built on, some I have resold. I still want to move up the ladder for the better customer, and my own philosophy. Started loking at the handmades. I got one from Nikkels via Sheridan Leather Outfitters, recently bought a Jeremiah Watt tree and another Nikkel tree from this list. Another level up of quality in those trees. I have a couple Timberlines in the roper pattern I like. Also have a bronc tree to make myself a toy on. I quoted a guy a NUTS price last week on a bronc saddle, and he is considering it. Living room display model.

[YRsaddles]

I agree with you Bruce as far as the rawhiding and the braiding goes...some tree maker's produce a lot of trees and sometimes the quaility is lacking...is sorta why I'm leading toward now using line-xed trees instead of rawhide covered. costs about 25 bucks here and I don't have to worry about the bumps and ridges lacing can make.

I know you asked before about the coating and I mentioned that bowden offers a "tuff kote" also...well I asked around and a good friend of mine...my mentor and recently retired saddle maker told me that bowdens kote peels off..not like line-x.

One thing though..I've never used timberline and nikkel trees could give me contact info? I'd like to see how a TOP quality built tree and a line-x coating would go together..might be the thing that dreams are made of.

Dave

[greg gomersall]

Dave don't take this the wrong way but I highly doubt Rod or any other handmade high end tree maker will sell you a tree in the bare wood to have coated. their reputation rides with every tree they make. Greg

[Kevin]

I was just going to ask if anyone knew the status of Hercules, I had read that they were going to try to carry on. I can't think of the owner's name right now, but he seemed to be a very nice man. What a horrible tragedy. Kevin

[Tosch]

Dave,

Google for "Timberline saddle tree comany"and you will the phone number and address (Vernal,UT).

They were very nice and friendly when I visited and looked around for more then 2 hours on my last year's vacation.

At leatherworkers.net click on "members" , type in "Rod and Denise N" , view their profile and click on their url. You'll find their contact info and lots (!) of very interesting info.

Tosch