Another Hope Saddle

David Carrico · June 04, 2009, 04:51:38 PM

After seeing Ottawa Creek Bill's saddle, I thought I'd better finish the one I had started for a customer. I'm sure the customer will appreciate it finally shipping out! Had a chance to use those new Will Ghormley stamps! Here's a link to some pics of it on my website.
http://www.carricoleather.com/oldwestsaddles/hopesaddle.html

David

JD Alan · June 04, 2009, 04:58:23 PM

Wow, David, very nice work. You guys that make these saddles: OCB & WC too, just do incredible work. There are probably some guys on the forum I've missed that make saddles too. The hand cut rope design is really a nice touch. Thanks for the pictures, JD

Ten Wolves Fiveshooter · June 04, 2009, 05:41:59 PM

Howdy David

You really are a talent Pard, this saddle is Beautiful, and nice use of Wills stamps.

Regards

tEN wOLVES

Marshal Will Wingam · June 04, 2009, 05:56:17 PM

That's quite striking, David. I like the rope border with the floral stamping. Beautiful work, pard.

cowboy316 · June 04, 2009, 06:12:21 PM

hey DC
very beautiful saddle got a quick question on the afork part hot did you cut the scallops on the leather

great saddle
Cowboy316

outrider · June 04, 2009, 06:16:56 PM

David, Well done my friend....I like

Do you by chance have an 1885 curb bit in your wares? I have a full 1904 pattern saddle set that I need a curb bit for. It was done buy Gary Kuen at Burgess years ago. If so how much?

cowboywc · June 05, 2009, 03:03:49 AM

Howdy David
That is a good lookin saddle.
WC

will ghormley · June 05, 2009, 07:53:39 AM

Hey David,

Nice kack! Your other saddles have all been nice saddles too, but it seems you've taken another step forward in your saddle makin'. I can't quite put my finger on it, but the lines in this one seem to flow more, if that makes any sense.

We've talked before about how every saddle shop has it's own style for specific periods, (dependin' on who is workin' there at the time). While this is still quite recognizable as a "Carrico" saddle, I think it will eventually be recognized as the beginin' of a new phase of your work.

Well done,
Will

David Carrico · June 05, 2009, 08:44:43 AM

I appreciate everyone's comments. I feel like I learn something with every saddle, so hopefully, I will keep improving. About those scallops, I use a "Belt Punch" or Drive punch, and grind off half of the punch. I think that one was a 1/4". Belt punches cost about $5 - $7, whereas a round end strap punch cost about $30.
Thanks!
DC

Ottawa Creek Bill · June 08, 2009, 12:23:45 AM

Dave.....

That is one hell of a beautiful saddle......!!

Bill

RollingThunder · June 09, 2009, 09:03:39 AM

I agree Dave! Simply beautiful.

How difficult is a Hope saddle to build?

RollingThunder · June 16, 2009, 06:46:57 AM

Bumpin' for David to see if he can answer my question when he has a few.

David Carrico · June 22, 2009, 06:06:40 PM

Sorry, I haven't been ignoring you, I've been in Louisiana working on the "Jonah Hex" Movie. I built a bunch of leather for the show, I will show it off when the movie is ready to be released, don't want to ruffle Warner Brother's feathers! You can build a simple Hope saddle, or a much more involved one. The earlier ones were simple and plain, it's depending on how much work you want to put into it. I usually have about 40 hours in one like I pictured. Feel free to PM me, I'm still learning myself, but will share what knowledge I have.
DC

Dr. Bob · June 22, 2009, 06:39:54 PM

David,

Dang you sure must work fast! Guess it helps to know what you are doing and have the right tools!

Very impressive in 40 hours!!

RollingThunder · June 22, 2009, 08:14:30 PM

No kidding . I think it'd take me something like 400 years. I'll call you some time in the future David. I have some questions on the Meanea too. I've got the Montgomery Ward torn apart and cleaned up, and am getting ready to pattern the on-side seat jockey and go buy some latigo strip for the billets. I then need to track down the correct stirrups, and then assemble all of it. No sheepskin for this one. It never had any from MW. Got off cheap with this one. Need a nickname for it. Any ideas?

Of course, Dr. Bob, I have a (ugh) day job. Not all of us get to live the glamorous life of leather-worker to the stars.

David, did you build the CS gunbelt for Josh Brolin's character?

This one?

Way to go on the movie leather David. Really making a name for yourself. Ever need help with anything, and think I can keep from screwing it up, let me know. I'd help out just to say I did. LOL.

David Carrico · June 23, 2009, 09:17:24 AM

Great pic of Josh! I saw a photo similar to that one morning in the make-up trailer, yes, we wear make-up! I will have to be honest, that was the first Buscadero rig I ever built. Josh is a good gun handler. My friend Joey Dillion tuned him up for the show. Josh was always twirling those pistols. Where did you find that pic? I'm going to get Josh to sign it!
Thanks!
DC

Marshal Will Wingam · June 23, 2009, 10:45:43 PM

That's a good rig, David. Very appropriate for the character. Nice.

RollingThunder · June 26, 2009, 03:27:09 PM

Well, I found it by Googling it, of course! It was supposedly a movie "sneak" shot, but the way he's looking at the camera, in full dress, makes me think otherwise.

Have him sign one for me too!

Then you can send it along with a tracing for the FA Meanea 14X horn leather.