Dale Harwood-The Art of Saddle Making DVD

[bruce johnson]

The Dale Harwood DVDs on saddlemaking are due to be released at about any time. They were doing some re-editing since the first announcement last winter, and last I heard, were doing the final duplicating. Has anyone had the inside track to see them yet?

[mulefool]

Haven't seen anything yet, but I'm looking forward to it, too. I haven't called on it yet, I haven't seen a price on it .

[bruce johnson]

The price I was quoted was $400, including shipping. Not sure about the time length, but I think it is a 2 DVD set.

[BruceGibson]

I just got the e-mail this afternoon. Supposed to be ready later this month. And it's priced at $399.99. That's WAY too steep for my blood.

[Cowboy Crafts Online]

I cannot wait for the DVD I called them last dec. I think $399 is a great price, for the knowledge that you are going to learn from the tapes. I talked to his daughter about the dvd, she said that Dale is going to be telling some stories also. I dont know if anyone has watched 4 strands of Rawhide with Bill Dorrence, but I think the story telling is what I liked the best. I know that you cannot go out to Dale's place and work with him for that price.

I wish they could get Don King to do a carving video, I know he will not, but wouldnt that be great as well.

Ashley

[greg gomersall]

I have taken a couple of seminars with Dale before and for the meager price of $400.00 you are gonna get inside this mans head and learn things that people will spend 20 years or more trying to figure out and still never get it. You don't have to ruin much leather to add up to that, one bad saddle will do your rep more harm than a hundred good ones will rebuild and to travel some where to get this education will cost you $1000.00 or more. At a seminar if you miss something or forget something it's gone, with the DVD you can replay it over and over. Any body who thinks this Knowledge is priced too high isn't very serious about improving thier skills or is a know-it all that is beyond help. Ifyou can't afford it, go in halves with someone and share the dang thing. Greg

[BruceGibson]

Don't get me wrong--I'm a Dale Harwood fan. I've just got too many other toys to buy right now to drop $400 on the DVD's. A few months down the road, I probably will. I am looking forward to hearing some reviews though.

[Cowboy Crafts Online]

I ordered my today. I was told the videos are going to come in on the 25th. I went ahead and paid for mine so it would be shipped as soon as the DVD comes in. I told them about this website, so hopefully they will come on and tell more about the DVD so everyone can find out more about them. I will tell everyone what I think once I get it and have a chance to watch.

Ashley

[riataranch]

Hello to everyone!

The Dale Harwood is ready for sale...it will available June 25! For $399.95 that includes shipping, we can send you one of the most talked about saddle making DVD's. From tradition to education, this DVD has it all. As I saw a few people write, $399.95 is a steep price, but it's also a collection of heritage, of a trade that needs preserving, and that is one thing I am sure we have accomplished. This saddle making DVD is full of the real life Dale Harwood riddles, knowledge and sheer brillance in working with leather!

And like a post said, if you see in real life, once it gone it's gone -- but with technology, the DVD's are filled with chapters that you can go straight to, or slow motion you DVD and watch certain moves or the way he cuts leather over and over again! DVD are an excellent too for the 'tool box' as you can watch it a lot of times and still gain knowledge each time!

Also to the person who wants to capture Don King on a leather working dvd....wow...would I like to, but on a sad note, he is not doing so great...I hope he lives a long time to try and teach us 'youngins' how it's done!

you can order the DVD by calling 800-349-7078 or email trc@wildblue.net

adios amigos!

[mulefool]

Could you give us a little more info? Or is there a website with more info? How is it set up? Does he make a saddle from start to finish, can you tell us what is covered? How many hours is it? Maybe there is something out there that gives this info, but it would be cool to maybe see a little youtube-like clip or something that gives you some idea of what you are getting. I don't doubt there is 400$ worth of knowledge but before I would plunk that down I'd just like a review or something.

[Mike Craw]

I just joined today, and was interested in the discussion about saddle making DVD's. I ordered the Dale Harwood DVD, and was told that it was to ship on or about the 27th of June. I haven't received mine yet, but when I do I will check and see if anyone has posted a list of topics covered. If not, I will put something on with my impressions of the DVD. If it is good as I expect, it will be great. I figured that it was as close as I'd ever get to studying with Mr. Harwood, so I didn't mind spending the money. I'll let you know.

[Mike Craw]

My DVD, Dale Harwood-The Art of Saddle Making, arrived in the mail this morning, and I just finished watching it. There were a lot of interesting points in the DVD, not only about how and why he did things the way he did, but also on his philosophy of quality construction and finish. I thought it was excellent and I will have to watch it a couple more times to get all the points that were made during the video. There were some operations, like cutting the seat ears, that I wish had been shown from a different camera angle and explained a little more thoroughly. A beginning saddle maker with no experience might not understand why Mr. Harwood was making a particular point, or why he did certain things. I think Jeremiah Watt's DVD would be better for the beginner. Mr. Harwood's is geared more toward the experienced saddle maker, and it that regard I thought it was outstanding.

A request was made in another post for the contents of this DVD. Here is the line up as it appears on the disks:

Disk #1

Hide Layout

Gullet & Cantle

Rigging

Ground Seat

Fork Cover

Skitr Blocking

The Horn

Disk #2

Fitting the Seat

The Jockeys

Installing the Seat

Fitting the Rear Jockeys

Skitr Prep

Stirrup Leather & Fenders

Oiling

Skirt Assembly

OK, I'm going back to watch it again.

[mulefool]

Hey Mike, thanks for posting the information. It sounds like it would be worth the money, and I'll probably spring for the set when I get some extra cash.

[Cowboy Crafts Online]

I got my DVD in the mail yesterday and have not had time to watch it. Once I do I will post what I think of it.

Ashley

[Mike Craw]

I got my DVD in the mail yesterday and have not had time to watch it. Once I do I will post what I think of it.

Ashley

Hi Ashley,

I've just watched mine for the second time through at the saddle shop where I help my friend, Carlos Lopez, in Kingsland, GA. Carlos watched it for the first time. Both of us are impressed, and I saw things today that I don't remember picking up on the first time. I think you'll find that it's time well spent, but once doesn't do it justice.

Mike

[Cowboy Crafts Online]

I finally got a chance to watch the whole Dale Harwood DVD. There are alot of things I learned that will help me along. In my opinion this DVD is not made for the beginning saddlemaker. If someone has never built a saddle or touched leather and wants to try to build a saddle I would recommend Jeremiah Watts DVD. He breaks things down better on what tools, leather, thread, stitching,etc to use. Dale goes into how and why he builds saddle's and he does do some things different than Jeremiah. I have been wanting to work with Dale for a long time now and now by having this DVD I get to go back to it everytime I have a question. It was well worth the money I spent.

I have been collecting anything on saddlemaking since I have started and now I have quite a few books and dvd's. I would recommend anyone trying to build the best gear to do the same. The knowledge is out there, but if dont go after it dont feel bad when someone really cuts down your work for a half assed job of putting it together.

Ashley

[bruce johnson]

I have seen it all the way through once, and have started back through again. I am learning as much or more the second time. The first time I was listening and watching what he was talking about. The second time I am watching, I see him doing little things he was not talking about that were slick. I see things he had done and not talked about. This definitely needs to be seen a few times. You don't have to shuck many oysters to find the pearls here.

Example - last night I cranked on the tightest mulehide wrap I have ever done. It required a lot less muscle and time than any way I had done it before. I couldn't bring up even a bubble with the choke strap. Today I can't pick an edge.

[Gary Winckler]

I have had my Dale Harwood DVD set for a couple of weeks and have watched it through at least twice. There are some very fine points made and some very handy tips I have learned that will help my technique for sure. I was a little disappointed in the quality of the camera work. I found my self getting frustrated at looking at the back of his hands or arms while the real work was hidden. I agree that Jeremiah's series is much more detailed and explains things very well. Both are good investments in my opinion.