Members Billy H Posted December 30, 2017 Author Members Report Posted December 30, 2017 Horsemint, Yes those Buck Rolls are Beaver Tail-- They were made by Master Saddle Maker Cary Schwarz! He makes a batch of them from time to time. They are first rate and hold up really well. Billy Quote
Members Billy H Posted December 30, 2017 Author Members Report Posted December 30, 2017 (edited) Hi Ron, Most folks don't notice. Yes the Swell cover and both the left and right side front rigging and back rigging are made from two pieces of leather top and bottom that were lamiinated , glued and sewed to make a one piece Flat Plate rigging. Thinking a little outside the box . Good learning experience. Thank you for looking . Billy Edited December 30, 2017 by Billy H Quote
Members Big Sioux Saddlery Posted December 30, 2017 Members Report Posted December 30, 2017 2 hours ago, Billy H said: Horsemint, Yes those Buck Rolls are Beaver Tail-- They were made by Master Saddle Maker Cary Schwarz! He makes a batch of them from time to time. They are first rate and hold up really well. Billy My first thought when I looked at the buck rolls was "They look like Cary Schwarz beaver tail buck rolls), but I didn't want to ask, lest you feel like I thought you wouldn't be capable of making Cary Schwarz level stuff, if that makes sense. I bought a pair of beaver tails years ago, and never did use them. They are a little intimidating to me, to be quite honest. His look so perfect, it sets a pretty high standard to try to measure up to! And then there are the one-piece buck rolls with no welt. . . haven't attempted those either. I noticed the rigging/swell cover also. . . is the leather doubled under the swell cover also, or did you just run the liner as high as needed, to be two thicknesses for the rigging? It looks like it could be a bugger to get the pattern right, and lots of possibilities for error along the way. Kudos to you for trying that and getting a good fit! So many of us get in a rut and don't want or don't think to try anything new or unusual. I've seen similar somewhere, I just can't remember where. I have seen really old saddles with the front rigging as part of the swell cover, but never integrated into a flat plate. The design would sure shed water and dirt/brush/small twigs etc from working their way under front jockeys, since there are none! What brand of skirting did you use? Reason I ask is because of a comment made about your saddle looking not-very-used after 4 years of use. I use both Wickett and Hermann Oak leather, and I know that the Hermann wears better and resists scuffs and scratches better than the Wickett, although the Wickett takes less breaking in, which occasional and weekend riders prefer. I think for stuff that will get daily, hard use, the Hermann will outlast the Wickett. Both great leathers, just different characteristics that make each well suited for different things. Quote
Members Billy H Posted December 30, 2017 Author Members Report Posted December 30, 2017 Big Sioux -- maybe in another 30 years I could come close to Cary Schwarz skills (maybe) LOL. The saddle is with W C leather. The picture shows my pattern on top piece -- bottom piece was identical, but I skived down to about 6 oz around the horn and what tucks into hand hold Quote
Members Big Sioux Saddlery Posted December 31, 2017 Members Report Posted December 31, 2017 1 hour ago, Billy H said: Big Sioux -- maybe in another 30 years I could come close to Cary Schwarz skills (maybe) LOL. The saddle is with W C leather. The picture shows my pattern on top piece -- bottom piece was identical, but I skived down to about 6 oz around the horn and what tucks into hand hold I think many of us aspire to Cary Schwarz's skills! Thank you for sharing. Quote
Members cowboycolonel Posted December 31, 2017 Members Report Posted December 31, 2017 Pretty impressive - the way you did that. Guess that will only work on a Wade-type tree. Never thought of trying that myself, as everything I do (flat plate wise) goes on UNDER the ground seat, and needs to be tacked/glued to the tree at the base of the swells. Quote
Members Billy H Posted January 2, 2018 Author Members Report Posted January 2, 2018 (edited) Thought I would share my process in creating my pattern for this saddle. Edited January 2, 2018 by Billy H Quote
Members Big Sioux Saddlery Posted January 2, 2018 Members Report Posted January 2, 2018 Thank you for sharing Billy! The ones that really scare me are the ones where the fork cover, seat, rigging, and rear housing are all one piece. There just can't be any room for error on those. It's a big piece of leather if it gets messed up! You up for trying that one? I will if you will Quote
rktaylor Posted January 2, 2018 Report Posted January 2, 2018 Billy, Thanks for sharing your process, though I have no desire to duplicate it. Just out of curiosity, did you square your riggings, then fit the swell cover? I have a hard enough time getting my steps in order, let alone combining a couple of them. Randy Quote
Members Josh Ashman Posted January 2, 2018 Members Report Posted January 2, 2018 Awesome stuff Billy! Thanks for sharing! Hope you had a great Christmas and best wishes for the New Year! Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.