Saddlemaking DVDs

[bruce johnson]

This is probably a good time to start its own section with the discussion on the Harwood DVDs soon to come out. I think a section of reviews and impressions on the current videos ands DVDs would be good. There are some that are geared to be pretty basic, and others are pretty involved. I realize that probably everyone will have different opinions, expectations, and from other lists, I know price points, as to whether a particular set is worthwhile. One's I have seen or have are a couple of Bruce Cheaney's (cutting saddle and roping saddle), Bill Gomer's, Dusty Johnson's, Jeremiah Watt's on floral layout and saddlemaking off the top of my head. Each of these have merit, and are geared for different levels of experience. I would like for anyone who has thoughts on these resources to share. Thanks,

Bruce

[BruceGibson]

Great post, Bruce. I have Dusty Johnson's series, and I highly recommend them. I'm a dealer, so my opinion is biased.

I'm looking forward to a review of Dale Harwood's new DVD.

[greg gomersall]

Jeremiah"s saddlemaking tapes are pretty comprehensive and if you have any ability at all you should be able to build a decent rig using them, as for Dusty Johnson's video they are totaly irrelevant to building a quality rig and in reality are more of a demonstration in what not to do.These may sound like harsh words but if you want to learn from someone why not learn from the best instead of someone who needs to get the hang of it to start with. We should be greatful that some of the true masters of the trade are willing to help others. Its sad to say but even most of the instructors teaching at various saddlemaking schools could be better grounded in the fundementals and basic construction techniques. Check out tcowboyarts.com for a good example of some of the finest craftsman of our day. Greg

[bruce johnson]

OK, now that we have some starts, I will share my views of what I have.

Dusty Johnson - very basic. You will learn to put leather on a tree. As Greg said, not accepted techniques for many of the good handmakers, but it is a start. Probably the lowest price. His chap making and holster videos I think are better.

Bruce Cheaney - I have the cutting saddle and roping saddle tapes. Bruce builds with a minimal amount of tools. I think you could turn him loose at Ace Hardware with $100 and he would have all he needs. His drawdown is made from plumbing pipe sections and fittings. Most of the cutting is done with a pocket knife, and he uses a smooth faced hammer. A guy probably only needs one of his three different types of saddles. Lots of overlap in building techniques, other than seats. Some pretty good ideas, but a few things that have me wondering why he did "that", without explanation. Priced about $200 per set.

Bill Gomer - A fair amount of information. Pretty good production, and he tells enough stories to keep it light. Quite a few things that I learned from, and have done on everything since (pattern material for instance). Priced under $100. Worth having, especially for early on building.

Jeremiah Watt - My favorite as of now. Lots of techniques from a handmaker. Lots of "this is why I do it this way". Some of the Jeremiah philsophy along the way, and commercials! I didn't see many of the advertised items in Jeremiah's shop but what the heck. Lots of the little finese things that separate the good guy from the average. He also has a tape set on floral carving and layout. I like that set also. Priced about $400 for the saddlemaking, and about $180 for the carving set. You probably have some of his tools, buy his tapes (now all on DVD I think).

Bruce

[Cowboy Crafts Online]

I would agree with Bruce on the order he put them in I have Bruce Cheaney's, Bill Gomer's, and Jeremiah Watt's. I would say that for me if I had not worked in a saddle shop for 3 years before I bought my first set of videos its hard to build a saddle from a video. There are just some things that you have to learn from feel and you need someone there to tell you if your doing it right or not. I think I got ideas from each of the the video sets, but I recieved the most information from Jeremiah's video set.

Ashley

[barra]

I had to read this post 3 times to work out what Bruce was who. I have thought about getting the Dusty dvd's (and may still do so). My initial reaction though is why so cheap. I totally agree with Greg. While $400 (near $500 for me as I'm in Australia) at first glance makes you wince, but what price knowledge. If it assists you better understand construction it will in the long run help you speed up production and save the hours of floundering about. My only problem spending that money is I would like to see what the content of the dvd is before commiting to a purchase. If what is displayed in the dvd is exactly the info I am after to me it is cheap at half the price.

Maybe you blokes can post the content of the video/dvd's you have and that will assist us deciding on a purchase

Barra

[mulefool]

I agree with you barra, I want to know the content of the DVD first. I certainly know that Dale Harwood has $400 worth of knowledge for me, but is the stuff I'm most interested in knowing in the DVD? Maybe when it's ready they will put alittle more info in the advertising. For $400 I want specific information, not just a philosophical interview about saddles, although that would be interesting.

[riataranch]

I am not sure if I will get this post in the proper spot...but I notice that some of you are questioning DVD's their content....I can only answer for one...

The Dale Harwood DVD is available now for purchase at $399.95 and includes shipping and handling. You can pay by Check, Money order or Visa/MC.

Technically....the DVD is a two part set over 4 hours long, where Dale starts with a tree (it ready for the leather) and goes from there, start to finish on building a rough out wade tree saddle.....Now right away a few of you are going...wade tree....easy to build....but what is interesting is it doesn't matter the 'type' of saddle Dale builds...what I feel is important to learn is how and why he does things the way he does.

I noticed on other posts, about drilling saddle string holes or wrapping horns...Dale does a great job explaining how and why he puts his ground seat in, stitching the horn cap, the cheyenne roll, the drilling of saddle strings, applying the sheep skin for the skirts -- it's all there....you may need to watch it a few times or more...but all his 'secrets' are in the DVD....

With over 50 years experience and over 1500 saddles....it's not WHAT he does it THE WAY he does it

that produces a saddle that is efficient to build, exceptionally well put together and created with

such quality and particularness(if that's a word) that anyone can benefit from the DVD's if your

mind is open to learning and or refining what you already have in your "tool box" of knowledge.

Along with the actual building of the saddle, one gets to hear history and entertainment on what

Dale has experienced over the years. The production and clarity of the DVD is great!

So.... I hope I have answered some of the questions posted....if you would like to order them

the number to call is 800-349-7078 or you can email ( i found that easiest) trc@wildblue.net!

[BruceGibson]

I like the Bill Gomer videos, but they do lack any reference to stirrups, fenders, and stirrup leathers...along with flanks and billets.

I inquired about the Harwood DVD set as soon as I became aware of its impending release, but the response I got didn't inspire confidence. Subsequently, I sent another e-mail asking about the contents and retail price and it was ignored. So I sent another. It, too, was ignored. That pretty much made my mind up.

So, instead of ordering the set now, I'll stand back and see how things go. I may buy it, but I quite likely won't. With Gomer, Johnson, Jeremiah Watt, and a couple others well established teaching folks to attach leather to saddle trees, I don't know that I need to hear from Dale Harwood via whoever it is that's marketing this product. If it was coming from Dale himself, then I'd be willing to listen.

And I'd expect a response to my e-mails.

[greg gomersall]

Bruce; Dale was hoping to have this dvd on the market last fall but ran into one road block after another on the production end of the process( the only portion where he had no control ). He has some people helping on the marketing end, if you are not happy with the way they handled things you could call directory assistance for Shelly Idaho, you could then talk to Dale or his wife Karin directly. They are great down to earth folks,Hell the fan come off the waterpump on my pickup and threw itself thru the rad about 10 days ago in Idaho Falls and the Harwood's were kind ofenough to put me up for a day & half. I could post the number here but I don't think that would be proper. I don't know what kind of gambler you are but I would be willing to bet you there is more usable information in the first 10 minutes of this dvd than there is in the entire tape you sell that comes out of Colorado. We are all on a quest for more knowledge in this business, it is rare for someone of this ability to take the time to produce something like this, he could have made more money building saddles for the amount of time they put into this but he chose to help a few people out with some hardlearned information. Lets hope someday Chuck Stormes decides to produce something along these lines as well. Hope you will reconsider your thoughts you will be suprised what you will learn. Greg