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Posted

Recently, I was told that wade saddles (custom, of course) tend to hold their resale values better than a swellfork. However, another maker, probably in the "top three" catagory, informed me that he was making about as many swellforks these days as wades. All things being equal ( i.e.- same tree, leather, level of expertise), might this be the case? Any thoughts on the subject?

Posted

In our shop, our orders are all for swell forked saddles. We have not had much interest in wades for the last year or so. And the repairs coming in to the shop we see about 20% of the saddles are wades. Most of the ranch hands in our area are riding swell forks, but the wades are out there. As far as saddles that we take in used for consignment, the folks with wades are not giving them up! We can sell a barrel racing type saddle as fast as they come in the store. We are in Wickenburg Az. :cowboy:

Rick

 

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Posted

I think quite a bit depends upon your region, and your particular market. The cattle culture varies in style, preference and methodology widely from the Great Basin to Texas to the South East. Then again, nationally, there are lots of recreational riders riding a Wade with a post horn, because that is what a clinician they admire rides.

Orders coming in for me the past year are about 3 to 1 swell forks to slick forks. Regarding resale of used saddles, those that I have had the best results selling have been Ranch Cutters.

JW

www.jwwrightsaddlery.com

Posted
Recently, I was told that wade saddles (custom, of course) tend to hold their resale values better than a swellfork. However, another maker, probably in the "top three" catagory, informed me that he was making about as many swellforks these days as wades. All things being equal ( i.e.- same tree, leather, level of expertise), might this be the case? Any thoughts on the subject?

here is an observeation passed onto me ,with a slight dash of ?????

outside a montana or nth western location bar sits an ol beat up truck,an ol hand me down, in the back sits a 4000$ saddle

in a sthn state mebe texas, outside a bar sits a 30000$dually with a 500 $saddle in th back of course these days aint nothing safe in the back eh.just makin light ,laughter is good medicine.

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Posted
here is an observeation passed onto me ,with a slight dash of ?????

outside a montana or nth western location bar sits an ol beat up truck,an ol hand me down, in the back sits a 4000$ saddle

in a sthn state mebe texas, outside a bar sits a 30000$dually with a 500 $saddle in th back of course these days aint nothing safe in the back eh.just makin light ,laughter is good medicine.

You've made a great point. I know so many people who drive those 50K+ vehicles, have horses worth several thousand, and yet want to "poor mouth" about the price of a custom saddle?????

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Posted
I think quite a bit depends upon your region, and your particular market. The cattle culture varies in style, preference and methodology widely from the Great Basin to Texas to the South East. Then again, nationally, there are lots of recreational riders riding a Wade with a post horn, because that is what a clinician they admire rides.

Orders coming in for me the past year are about 3 to 1 swell forks to slick forks. Regarding resale of used saddles, those that I have had the best results selling have been Ranch Cutters.

JW

"Regionally" may be the key word you used. I've made some saddles that went to Texas, and these particular guys wouldn't have a wade. And then there are others who act as if they didn't know there was anything but a wade saddle. Saddles are like lots of other things, meaning styles change from time to time concerning what's in vogue. Apparently, the swellfork is on the comeback trail overall. In addition, I've always wondered why someone buys a wade, then uses bucking rolls on it all the time? I appreciate the discussion! And you make some VERY crisp, clean looking saddles, too, friend!

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Posted

I built alot of wades a few years ago. Now the only wade I have made was for a show. I have made around 20 swell forks in the past 2 years. I recently took an order for a freemont, which is the biggest and most extreme swell fork out there. Go figure.

Shane

  • 1 month later...
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Posted

I like the looks of a slick fork saddle, but I think those nice lines are marred when someone adds a pair of bucking rolls. I've always felt that if you're gonna put bucking rolls on a slick fork saddle you probably should have bought a swell fork to start with.

But, everyone has a different idea of what looks good.

"Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway."

(John Wayne)

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Posted

I like the wade but ride a swell forked saddle, I always have entertained the idea of getting a wade. Cowboys I've ridden with are divided over which they prefer and then there is differing opinons on bucking rolls and nightlatches. The majority here (Sierra foothills) ride swell forks. Arguments over which makes a more secure seat when things go sour seem to go on and on. Wades have no swell and the theory of some seems to be it's hards to sit when the pitchin' starts. I have seen some very classy looking modified assosiation saddles with wood post horns. Many who prefer the wood horns are the crowd that doctor cattle in the pasture, some ride wades and some the swell forks.

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