Saddlemaking DVDs

[BruceGibson]

Greg,

I don't doubt what you're saying. I only cited my experience. And I already have Dale's address and phone number.

My position hasn't changed, but as a result of my experience, I'll stand back and watch. At least for now.

[BruceGibson]

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. Greg

Just for the sake of discussion, the "tape you sell that comes out of Colorado" is the top-selling DVD of its kind in the nation. The book that accompanies it is also the number one seller. It doesn't cover, nor does it pretend to, all the tricks and intricacies of what other "custom" saddle makers do. It is exactly what it presents itself to be. And I've sold hundreds. The number of complaints I've gotten? Zero.

For the four hundred ($400) dollar price tag...or two hundred ($200) dollars per DVD, I'd like some detail. What am I getting? It's not too much to ask. Hell, the package I sell for $79.95 includes every detail of the contents, including the full-size patterns.

Besides, if you have to knock mine to sell yours, yours must not be too damn good. At least mine's proven. Eighty thousand (that's EIGHTY THOUSAND) happy customers would agree.

[D.A. Kabatoff]

Greg,

I'd sure like to see some people letting Chuck know that we really want to see a similar type of video coming from him. Anyone familiar with Chuck's work realizes he does things a little differently than Dale and that information needs to be available to future generations of saddlemakers.

Bruce, "tape you sell that comes out of Colorado" may be the top selling tape in the nation, but comparing it to Jeremiah's tapes or Dale's tapes are like comparing apples and gorillas. Without a doubt Dusty's book and DVDs serve a purpose and they are priced accordingly to the market they serve... the beginner saddlemaker. As far as complaints go, I'd like to file one because every time an aspiring saddlemaker comes to me asking my opinion on sewing cantle bindings it costs me half a days work to set them straight. I won't put down the entire book or dvd because I think for the price and the information presented, it allows people to get a start without getting too heavily invested and that's a good thing cause after making one saddle, alot of people realize that the work is not easy and maybe not for them. On the other hand, I'd sure hate to think of any intermediate saddlemaker spending money on the series, looking to expand their knowledge or skills.

Dales and Jeremiahs videos may cost more money, but the information is such that it allows people with some saddlemaking experience to deal with trouble spots or fill in holes in their skills. I for one would sure hate to miss out on some great information because of one retailer. Dusty's had lots of time to get the marketing down right... Dale's are hot off the press, I'm sure they'll get the marketing issues ironed out.

Darc

[bruce johnson]

Just to reiterate my first post. Everyone has different expectations and price points for everything. Dusty's tapes will show you how he makes one. Granted it is not how a lot of other makers do it. His price and tapes/books are geared to entry level people who arguably should or should not be making saddles to begin without some supervision. It gives the novice a brief overview of a simplified way of making a saddle. They were marketed through Tandy, catering to the casual crafter who wanted to read something, view a tape, and see if they thought making a saddle was for them to try. I am not sure of the timeline, but am thinking they may have come out before the Stohlman series of saddlemaking books.

Bill Gomer's videos are step past Dusty, and priced as such. The Cheaney sets are past Bill's and cost more. (funny how this progression is going here). Jeremiah's are the most complete, longest, detailed, and, until now - priced past all of them. I received my set of Harwood DVDs today. I have only seen Dale's first DVD so far. I am in fitting and finesse overload. Much like Jeremiah's, I think a person needs to watch 5 minutes, think about it 5 minutes, and then go on. For the guys who have spent time with Dale, I am envious.

You need to have a basic grasp of saddlemaking and know your weak areas before viewing DVDs, taking a class, or even calling or visiting another maker to really get full benefit in my opinion. My take on what I have seen so far. Dale assumes you know how to make a saddle, how to use your tools, and how to prepare your leather. It is not geared to teach the novice to build a saddle from scratch. This set, like Jeremiah's, will help the average guy who has already made some saddles elevate his work to the next level. They will show you different ways than you may have been taught.

To compare either of these sets to Dusty's is like comparing apples and oranges, Coke and Pepsi. To quote Baxter, they are about as similar as a bowling ball and a broken gate. They just are geared to way different viewers with different expectations and, I dare say, abilities.

As far as what is on them, Mike Craw listed the contents on the Dale Harwood DVD thread. Are they worth it? First disc paid for the set to me just showing me how to put my cantle back and fillers on better. I am likewise guilty of normally punching too large a hole to for the back corners of the fork cover that goes down into the gullet. Anything else I learn is free. Dale is not riding on reputation here, the info is worth the dough if you are serious.

[BruceGibson]

Thanks, Darc & Bruce.

Your responses were fair and well-reasoned. And Bruce's brief review of what he's seen of the new Harwood DVD's is much appreciated. I'll look forward to more.

[AZThunderPony]

This is a very informative topic. If not for the cost... I'm not a saddle maker, nor will I ever be... but I'd love to collect all of the videos listed just to educate myself on the varied ways saddlers go about putting the saddle together. What and interesting process... The average horse owner has no idea what all goes into the saddle they sit.

Thanks everyone for giving your opinions and reasonings.

Excellent!!

S

[mulefool]

It's great to hear the perspectives on the different tapes and DVDs. I'm seriously considering the Harwood DVD. I'd like to learn more of the things that make a good saddle a great saddle. Also very interested in how he makes his ground seat. I guess one of the things that made me a little leary was it seemed like the attitude of the distributer was just "Look, it's by Dale Harwood, you don't need to know anything else" I'm suggesting that anyone that sells ANYBODYS video could probably sell more by putting an outline and maybe a few snippets of video on the internet. At least to suspicious buggers like me.

[Cowboy Crafts Online]

I would like to add that I got my DVD in the mail today. As for the folk selling the DVD for Dale. Everyone needs to give them some slack. They operate a ranch in WY. I dont think they are doing the DVD to get rich, just to get the knowledge out to everyone. Please give them some understanding.

Ashley

[GrampaJoel]

Ok,

So I have Dusty's DVD on saddle making. So where do I go from here.

I haven't built a saddle, but would love to make one. One that I could use everyday for a long time.

I don't have any saddle makers around to learn from.

Which DVD should I invest in next?

Thanks

Joel

[jwwright]

Joel, I would suggest J Watt's dvd set next..............JW.