New Saddle Project

Ottawa Creek Bill · May 21, 2009, 06:45:10 PM

I've been working on this Hope saddle for about two weeks. It's almost 99% completed. I still have to make the stirrups, fenders, block the skirt leathers, finish the edges and glue and sew in the fleece.

The dark and discolored leather (like on the stirrup leathers and top of the horn cap) is from where I've put a heavy layer of Olive Oil on the leather and it has not quite soaked all the way in. Believe it or not, at one time the rest of the leather was that dark color. I'm going to dye it a medium saddle brown.

Hope you like it.....

Bill

Capt. Texas Elliot · May 21, 2009, 07:05:27 PM

Very nice. I am a fan of the Hope saddles.

I have one that I bought from the US and it is a very handy saddle to ride in.

RollingThunder · May 21, 2009, 07:25:09 PM

That's darned perdy! Bravo!

Dr. Bob · May 21, 2009, 09:02:43 PM

Looking forward to seeing it when you get to Evansville!

Quite impressive.

Marshal Will Wingam · May 22, 2009, 01:08:57 AM

That's looking really fine, Bill. The hope is a good-looking saddle. Be sure to post finished pics, too. Thanks for the pics.

santee · May 22, 2009, 08:19:23 AM

Just incredible.

Ace Lungger · May 22, 2009, 08:31:03 AM

Howdy Bill,
I don't know anything about saddles! But I will agree with those above that is AWESOME! One thing for sure, I won't ever be making saddles!

Great work and thats for sharing with us!
ACE

Freedom · May 22, 2009, 11:00:44 AM

Wow, that is so nice!!!...Darn you, Now I have to have to have one.

Where did you buy your tree?

cowboywc · May 22, 2009, 06:31:20 PM

Howdy Bill
That is a very good lookin saddle.
WC

Ottawa Creek Bill · May 22, 2009, 09:58:05 PM

Quote from: Freedom on May 22, 2009, 11:00:44 AM
Wow, that is so nice!!!...Darn you, Now I have to have to have one.

Where did you buy your tree?

Bowden's Saddle Tree Company down in Texas......they make their trees the old fashioned way, covered with rawhide and laced with rawhide lacing. Be careful if you buy a tree that claims to be 100% rawhide covered...some tree makers use nylon to lace the rawhide on the wood tree. I'm not saying that is either bad or good...it's just not the way it was originally done.

Bill

Wild Billy Potts · May 24, 2009, 04:52:00 PM

Wow, that sure trumps mere holsters and belts.

Ottawa Creek Bill · May 24, 2009, 05:16:17 PM

Billy.....Thanks...
Hope to have it finished this week (among other things) if I do I'll post a photo here.

Bill

Ten Wolves Fiveshooter · May 25, 2009, 07:42:26 AM

Very nice Bill, your leather work is always a pleasure to look at.

Regards

tEN wOLVES

Johnny Dingus · May 25, 2009, 11:55:21 AM

Real nice looking saddle Bill.

How light will it be when you are done?

I used a McPherson Roping saddle for my old horse was built like a brick house solid but heavy.

I like the smooth seat too.

Nice work.

Johnny Dingus