I have lurked here, reading the posts for a while. There are several sure nuff, good custom saddle makers posting their knowledge here, and I thank them all.

However, there are many crooks in the saddle business.......out there via nice websites, and slick magazine ads, promoting themselves as "custom saddle makers". They are not........generally speaking, they are simply taking saddle orders, and having the saddles built by one of the several "saddle factories" in Texas. They do not build saddles, and don't have a shop. Some of these people do have a shop, but it is full of hispanic factory saddle makers,,,,,,,,sometimes working on this "maker's" saddle orders after they get off work from Billy Cook or some such saddle factory.
The problem I have with all this is these people lie and mislead folks into believing that "they" are building these saddles themselves, and know what they are doing. They hold themselves out as custom saddle makers, when in fact, all they are is just another factory saddle maker, at best.......many times all they are is saddle order takers.
Generally, these people are selling "custom" made saddles built on cheap production trees, such as Baties trees, that cost $95 or so.

I have seen the work of the saddle makers that post here regularly.......they are the real deal. But if you are in the market for a new saddle, and the "maker" you are talking to has a base price of less than say $2000......you are dealing with a factory maker. Even if the price is far above that, it could still be a factory maker....ask alot of questions. Like.....what trees do you use? Do you personally build the saddles yourself? Etc. ect.............

Be careful out there, and good luck.

If you're real lucky you'll find a old retired saddle maker who still builds saddles for pocket change and to keep busy. I had two saddles built from the horse up. I got to watch both of them made and was called over to OK changes as he went along. The first cost me $600 and the second $800. Well that and about 100 hours of talk for each one.

You lucky dog you! lol! I'm jealous....... (grin)

No offence to your saddles, or retired saddle maker friend, Mike.....and I don't know how long ago this fella built you these $600 and $800 saddles. But, frankly, that amount of money won't even cover the tree, leather, hardware and other materials necessary to build a truly high quality saddle.

He built the tree, I had the hardward made for free at a machine shop. Both are copies of late 1800's saddles.

P.S. One advantage of being a cop for 30+ years is that folks owe ya.

I guess a lot of the cost of a saddle goes into the name of the maker, plus whatever overhead that he has. If he or she is doing all the work at home, and not in a shop where the rent is $2000 a month that would certainly effect the cost. If you search around you can find a good maker that does all of his work for less than a $2000 base. I know I did and am very happy with what I got for my money.

Mudman, I am glad that you got a saddle that works for you this way.

If someone is a true custom maker, building the saddles themselves and the base price is less than $2000, then are some compromises being done. The tree will be a factory tree, and probably some other shortcuts in workmanship as well. That does not mean that this type of saddle won't work for some folks............but not for me.

Blue;

No my tree is a Warren Wright tree. As far as compromises go I don't see any. In fact it is a great rig, and one that I am very proud of.

Within the last 2 months I was given a Great Pyrenees male puppy and a Shire gelding that both drives and rides. The puppy is already an excellent watch dog. The Shire carried a flag in the Poteet Strawberry Parade. I've had cash offers for both of'm. I doubt that they would have been some how better had I been forced to pay full price. That logic totally escapes me?

Good for you Mudman.........you obviously found a bargain......maybe with a relatively new saddle maker, looking for new business? .........a Warren Wright tree is a real good choice. Take it from me though........your deal is very rare one.

Mike , you can always find outstanding exceptions, which include serendipity.......but that does not prove the rule.
I am glad that you had a horse and a dog given to you that worked out well........so what does that have to do with saddle makers?
I have purchased horses for $500 and resold them for $10,000.......so what?
Generally speaking, you are not going to purchase a high quality saddle for less than $2000, and that is fact. Sure, you can find the exception, but seldom. Of course, not everyone knows the difference between a Billy Cook and Jeremiah Watt.

quote:

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Originally posted by Bluestem:
....... Take it from me though........your deal is very rare one.

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Yes....VERY rare indeed.