Opinions on Timberline and Quality MFG saddle trees?

[SITTINGUPHIGH1]

Hey people lets hear your opinion on Timerline and Quality Mfg saddle trees. Give the good and bad points of these saddle trees. I have seen some of you use these saddle trees before.

[bruce johnson]

They are better than the last ones you asked about. They are a step up in consistancy from the Bowden and H&Fs I started out on.

[jonwatsabaugh]

In the past, I have built saddles on trees from both of these manufacturers. Randy at Timberline, and Sonny at Quality have been around a long time. Both have vast experience in manufacturing duplicator built trees. However if you put them side by side, Sonny's trees stand out as a superior machine built structure. Sonny's rawhiding is the standard by which all others are measured. I have seen many inconsistancies in the bar patterns from both though. That being said, I still prefer a hand made tree.

Jon

[SITTINGUPHIGH1]

Does this sound about right.

Low end

Sounds like you have the factory production saddle trees. Low end. Fast. Not a even construction from side by side. Hide and stitching can be rough. Not good for laying leather on. Looks not so good. Very inexpensive. May fit your horse or not. A gamble at best.

Weeks to make it. Cost about 70 to 150.

Hadly and fox

Steele Saddle Tree

Baite's custome saddle tree

Bowden Brand

Mid end

Custom factory production. Can get a good looking saddle tree. Petty close to what you want. Good hide cover. Mostly even can be a little rough sometimes. Looks like a month or two to make. Cost 250 to 350.

Timberline Saddle tree

Quality Mfg. Inc

High end

You get it your way. All even. Great hide cover all smooth. Hand fitted to your horse if you want. Great looking saddle tree. Time factor is from 6 months to a year. If you can get on there list. Cost is about 550 Dollars.

Bill Bean

Rick Reed

Rod and Denise

Please add people or comments to the list or let me know if I'm off.

[TrooperChuck]

Being fairly new to saddlemaking, I've been using Bowden trees. But, last September I was in Pagosa Springs, Colorado and visted Old West Saddlery. The owner, Bob Beecher, spent about 4 hours with me, showing me his work, talking about measuring horses for saddle fit, and discussing techniques and materials.

He showed me a Timberline tree, the first I'd seen from someone other than Bowden. What a difference! It was obvious the Timberline tree is the superior product. I'm still using Bowden trees, because they're in my current price range, but I'm looking forward to "upgrading" soon.

By the way, (at the risk of sounding like a commercial advertiser...) if you're ever in southern Colorado go to Old West Saddlery. It is one of the best saddle shops I've ever been in!

Edited December 23, 2008 by TrooperChuck

[Timbo]

Slight correction for you Chuck, it's Out West Saddlery. Gonna have to go down there and check them out!!!

Tim

[TrooperChuck]

Thanks, Timbo... for some reason, Old West sticks in my mind. Dang it.

[HanginH]

Built my first saddle on a Quality tree and just finished my second one on a bowden tree and there is a large difference in the quality of lacing and overall construction. Which is saying something considering I haven't look at a lot of trees in my very short and inexperienced career. I would buy one from Sonny again if the wife ever lets me build her one.

[oldtimer]

Being fairly new to saddlemaking, I've been using Bowden trees. But, last September I was in Pagosa Springs, Colorado and visted Old West Saddlery. The owner, Bob Beecher, spent about 4 hours with me, showing me his work, talking about measuring horses for saddle fit, and discussing techniques and materials.

He showed me a Timberline tree, the first I'd seen from someone other than Bowden. What a difference! It was obvious the Timberline tree is the superior product. I'm still using Bowden trees, because they're in my current price range, but I'm looking forward to "upgrading" soon.

By the way, (at the risk of sounding like a commercial advertiser...) if you're ever in southern Colorado go to Old West Saddlery. It is one of the best saddle shops I've ever been in!

I have used both Bowden and Timberline trees, and IMO Timberline is far superior over Bowden, so no more Bowden trees for me.

/ Knut

[AZThunderPony]

I'll be moving very close to Old West Saddlery at the latter end of June. I plan to be spending some time there picking brain.

;)S

[bat masterson12]

hello I perssonally recived bed tree from Randy I stll have that tree Iuse bowden since thay switched to cnc they more uniform

let's face it todays economy not every customer wants pay $ 600.00 for tree . circle M saddlery & gun leather

[oltoot]

I have been using Sonny's trees since he was in Moab, Utah. He has done nothing but improve and he started out pretty good. For the last few years I have tried to keep one around because they are just plain pretty to look at. I have a rancher friend here who dabbles in saddles as well as about anything else and through him I have seen several other makes, none measuring up to QMFG. They are definitely worth waiting for?

[saddles]

We've been using Bowden trees for over 15 years now. Their quality has never been better. Have a Timberline we ordered for a customer. Pretty to look at, but it doesn't fit anything we have tried it on and that's been well over 50 horses. Bowden has done some extreme custom work for us over the years, like a formfitter with an 18" swell and a Double J horn.....just my opinion here...

Edited August 13, 2012 by saddles