My First Saddle... The Hard Way

[drugfree906]

Hello there Leatherworker folks,

My name is Nate. I've been lurking around these forums for some time now trying to glean as much advice as I can from your collective experience. Over the past year I've been working on small projects (headstalls, breast collars, etc) in preparation for building my own saddle. Things I've learned so far:

The Bruce Cheaney YouTube channel is incredibly valuable

Tools need to be sharp

It all starts with cutting a nice, clean, straight line (without a straight edge)

Use the right tools, and materials, for the job

Think ahead, but don't give up if you make a 'mistake'... some things 'buff out' down the road

Use templates, so you can make effective changes on the second... third... or 17th attempt

Saddle stitching takes a lot of time

Saddle stitching is incredibly rewarding

Saddle stitches are hard to terminate cleanly AND securely

Working with tools designed to cut and shape flesh... will in fact do that... even if it's your own

And of course, the leatherworker.net forum is an incredibly helpful resource; Hence why I'm posting here.

I love the Wade style saddle, so that's where I've decided to head. I've already received my tree from Timberline. We went through a 'back and forth' to get the fit right for my horse. I've already ordered all my hardware for flat plate rigging from Jeremiah Watt and my two sides of first class Hermann Oak saddle skirting (12/14 oz) from Springfield. I have most of what I need to get started. What I don't have are a set of templates... I'll be painstakingly generating those over the next few months. Probably lots of expensive 'guess and check' work.

I've consciously chosen to forego purchasing a video or book series at this point. I know some might see this as foolish. Please allow me to attempt to defend my ignorance. I've come to find that I very much enjoy working with leather. I figure I'm going to be at this the rest of my life. As such, I'd rather jump right in with what little I know... so I form a base of experiences (good and bad) in saddle making. This way, when I do watch these videos (plan being after my first attempt), I'll have already 'felt the pain' so to speak. Every little kid is told that the stove is hot... but how many adults don't know what a hot stove feels like? None... because we all have to make the mistake before the words our parents told us hold any value. Just tryin' to burn my hand here real quick before I watch the videos...

That being said, I'm not looking to re-invent the wheel. If anyone else has gone through a similar process and would like to pass along their own list of little gems of experience, I'm all ears!

Right now, my thinking looks something like this:

Use card stock to figure out a rough shape for gullet lining as well as the back of the cantle

Make templates for these pieces

Cut from the hide, preferably from a 'thinner' portion of material (away from the spine)

Skive, case, and form to shape

Double check fit after they are dry

Glue on (or maybe nail? does anyone know the type of tacks I should be using? I hear people slamming "smooth shanks"...)

Generally repeat process for flat plate rigging... checking my template against my current saddle prior to cutting material out

Tack, but don't screw yet, so I don't hose myself by putting a screw right where I need to screw or drill a hole later

We'll cross the rest of the bridge when we come to it...

Again, I know I'm being ignorant here... but I know I'm going to learn a lot in the process. Thank you all for any help you can offer!!

Respectfully,

Nate

[Josh Ashman]

I recommend getting and reading the Al Stohlman saddle making books. He wrote 3 full books of basically what you are asking for here and he did a fine job of it. Building a saddle is a awfully big job to "wing it" on.

Good luck, Josh

[drugfree906]

Thanks for the suggestion, Josh. Any idea where I might find said material?

Talk soon.

[Josh Ashman]

Amazon or Tandy Leather would probably be the easiest place to find them.

[Goldshot Ron]

Nate,

As Josh mentioned, the Al Stohlman book is very helpful and irreplaceable, it is available from Tandy Leather, ebay, or any good leather supply store. You mentioned using your existing saddle as a model or example to follow. This is helpful, but unless you are deconstructing your present saddle, there are a lot of steps that you may miss in constructing your new saddle just by studying your present saddle. The Stohlman books only cover all leather ground seats, and many makers prefer using a metal strainer for their ground seat. You'll need some source of knowledge on how to install a metal strainer. A good video that isn't mentioned very often is Bill Gomer's saddle making video. It is fairly inexpensive, yet he does a good job at directing the first timer at making a wade style saddle. He covers template making, and the basics for designing a well made saddle.

You mentioned about wading your way through the process on your own. And, people may comment about this; however, I will give you my opinions on sources of information to avoid for now (because of cost and the format of the material): J.Watt's video, Dale Harwood's video, and most of the books written prior to the 1990s. Watt's and Harwood's videos are good for people who have built a few saddles to hone their skills, but they leave out some information that first timers will need. Techniques and styles have changed since the 50's and 60's, so older books are only good for picking up information for repairs and general interests.

Finally the subject of nails/tacks: blue cut tacks are good and cheap for temporary purposes, but I suggest ringshank stainless steel 1 inch nails for final nailing of ground seats and nails that will never need to be removed for repairs. Other nails to buy are smooth/box stainless steel nails ( 1" and 1 1/4"). One Note: Stohlman over used tacks, a good glue is very important and will hold without using a lot of nails and tacks.

I hope this answers some of your questions.

Good luck, Ron

[kseidel]

A saddle is not something to experiment with. It is not a belt or spur straps, or even saddlebags. It involves molding and shaping leather around curves. There is very little flat work. It also requires an understanding of balance and fitting to provide proper function, both for the rider and the horse. Get a book or video and study it prior to building. There are plenty of areas to "burn yourself" on even after studying all the available information! Leatherwork is a great hobby... SADDLEMAKING is not! You could build an airplane in your garage without instruction, but would you really expect it to fly? The Al Stohlman book, as Josh mentioned is a great resource. Also Harry Adams saddle shop manual, Jeremiah Watt or Dale Harwood videos, ANY published information is better than none! No reason to start out with a handicap.

Keith

[drugfree906]

Can't thank you all enough for your realistic advice. I just ordered the Stohlman eBook (2 and 3) from Tandy. I'm already glad I did. Tons of information, and like you said Keith, I still see plenty of places for me to burn myself even with these books on my bench. It is remarkable how much saddles have changed since then. I'm seeing that there will be plenty of 'blanks' for me to fill in, anyways. For instance, none of the stirrup leathers he covers are twisted. I guess I might be feeling a little foolish for 'trying to build an airplane in my garage'... but better to be checked on my thinking now rather than a few dozen cuts down the road.

I'm going to post pictures as I go. Please feel free to review/chime in/check my work as I go. This is gonna be a trip! Again, thank you all. Spending the rest of the work day reviewing these books, then I might try to make a gullet/cantle template tonight. Who knows, now that I have an idea of the right part of the hide to cut these pieces from, I might even get started!

Also, thanks for the nail info Ron!! Very helpful.

I appreciate you guys not shutting me down and calling me a complete idiot... at least to my face...
Also, appreciate you guys telling me to go read a book.

More soon!

[rdl123]

I agree with Keith,

Here is my experience: The more educational material you have on hand the better. Each piece will give you perspective that the other does not. DVD's are incredibly valuable - They will help you fill in the blanks. I started with Al Stohlman Books and the Harry Adams book and then part way through my first saddle I purchase both Jeremiah Watts and Dale Harwoods DVD's - I wish I would have bought them both right from day one. The advice they contain will prevent you from making mistakes and wasting expensive Hermann Oak. They will almost pay for themselves in saving you from expensive screw-ups.

As Keith says - Saddle making is a dubious hobby - It's expensive, time consuming and at times frustrating. That said if your personality is like mine you will still enjoy it. However be prepared to have some bad days while you wrestle a hunk of Hermann Oak that doesn't want to conform to what you have in mind. That said - Riding and roping out of your own hand made saddle that fits you and the horses you ride is hard to beat!

Also - Buy only the best tools - I started with junk, ended up buying good stuff. Bruce Johnson on this site is great to buy from - I've got splitters a round knife and general hand tools from him - All quality, old school tools.

Good Luck and looking forward to seeing your progress.

R

[drugfree906]

Thank you very much R. Sounds like we're coming from a similar place. Very excited to get started.

Just started posting on another form looking for a few old school CS Osborne tools. Also going to take a look at JW. From here out, I'm only going to buy the higher quality tools available. I also feel like I'll end up with the videos you mentioned... probably at the end of my first night of wresting a stubborn piece of HO...

Again, thanks much. Pictures soon.

[BondoBobCustomSaddles]

Just to reiterate, what the others here have said, there is a lot of ways to get burned without starting out to do it on purpose! Keith is easily recognized as one of the "good ones". It will pay you dividends to follow his advice. I have been making saddles for 20 years or so, and I still welcome his comments. Just sayin".

Bob