Dale Harwood-The Art of Saddle Making DVD

[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.