👍Enjoyed your video! I had a spinal cord injury while working up in the Rockies, near Durango, CO, back in the 1970s. Unable to move my legs, while I was in the hospital in Englewood, CO (Denver area), I started tooling leather during the months that I was laid up. It was then, that I decided to make saddles. Due to the paralysis from the chest down, it was doubtful that I'd ever regain the use of my legs, however I "walked" out of the hospital on crutches, wearing a metal backbrace. In time, I could get around, with just a walking stick. I could also ride all day, once I pulled myself up into the saddle. A leather bench was set up for me in the tackroom, that was located in the barn. I began doing tack repair, working on the pack outfit's dozens of riding saddles, the pack saddles for the mules and the pack equipment, using an old Landis Machine to stitch the heavy leather. I later attended school at OSU Okmulgee, OK, where I learned Western Boot Making and Saddlemaking while there. I still have the 1st saddle that I made, back in the 1970s, on a A-fork, shovel-cantle tree, from Standard Saddle Tree Company, out of Vernal, UT. I put many a mile on that saddle, when I was a packer / Licensed Guide + Outfitter in the 780 square mile Weminuche Wilderness Wilderness area, located in the San Juan Mountains in the Colorado Rockies. After graduation, from OSU and returning to Colorado, I worked as a saddlemaker at Colorado Saddlery, up in the original saddle shop on the 2nd floor of the building at the corner of 15th and Wynkoop in Denver. When Bona Allen saddles were being made in Olney Illinois, I was a saddlemaker there, till they closed down, 20 some years ago. After the old Landis Stitcher, I later bought a Champion "hook + awl" stitching machine with the 10'' throat. I traded the Champion stitching Machine off, in the 1990s, when I bought bought my 9710 model Singer straight-needle harness Stitching machine. Colorado Saddlery had the Campbell-Randal, (hook +awl) stitching machines when I was a saddlemaker there. Bona Allen in Olney ,IL, had Durkopp Adler Stitching Machines, with "triple feed'. I'v collected a lot of "vintage" saddlemaking tools, since buying my 1st tools in the 1970s, Gomph, McMillen, Hackbarth, CS Osborne, a vintage German made headknife. some vintage Shefield Steel punches .
Though I’m an “old guy”, I am so happy and thrilled to be moving to Texas and calling it “my home! The traditions and love Texans have for their state is incredibly evident when talking with them. And, the respect to others shown by all generations of Texans is really unbelievable. I won’t be able to call myself a true Texan, only a transplanted one. But, when I die, I’ll at least be “Texas Dead!” Thanks for such a wonderful video of Texas life.
👍Enjoyed your video! I had a spinal cord injury while working up in the Rockies, near Durango, CO, back in the 1970s. Unable to move my legs, while I was in the hospital in Englewood, CO (Denver area), I started tooling leather during the months that I was laid up. It was then, that I decided to make saddles. Due to the paralysis from the chest down, it was doubtful that I'd ever regain the use of my legs, however I "walked" out of the hospital on crutches, wearing a metal backbrace. In time, I could get around, with just a walking stick. I could also ride all day, once I pulled myself up into the saddle. A leather bench was set up for me in the tackroom, that was located in the barn. I began doing tack repair, working on the pack outfit's dozens of riding saddles, the pack saddles for the mules and the pack equipment, using an old Landis Machine to stitch the heavy leather. I later attended school at OSU Okmulgee, OK, where I learned Western Boot Making and Saddlemaking while there. I still have the 1st saddle that I made, back in the 1970s, on a A-fork, shovel-cantle tree, from Standard Saddle Tree Company, out of Vernal, UT. I put many a mile on that saddle, when I was a packer / Licensed Guide + Outfitter in the 780 square mile Weminuche Wilderness Wilderness area, located in the San Juan Mountains in the Colorado Rockies. After graduation, from OSU and returning to Colorado, I worked as a saddlemaker at Colorado Saddlery, up in the original saddle shop on the 2nd floor of the building at the corner of 15th and Wynkoop in Denver. When Bona Allen saddles were being made in Olney Illinois, I was a saddlemaker there, till they closed down, 20 some years ago. After the old Landis Stitcher, I later bought a Champion "hook + awl" stitching machine with the 10'' throat. I traded the Champion stitching Machine off, in the 1990s, when I bought bought my 9710 model Singer straight-needle harness Stitching machine. Colorado Saddlery had the Campbell-Randal, (hook +awl) stitching machines when I was a saddlemaker there. Bona Allen in Olney ,IL, had Durkopp Adler Stitching Machines, with "triple feed'. I'v collected a lot of "vintage" saddlemaking tools, since buying my 1st tools in the 1970s, Gomph, McMillen, Hackbarth, CS Osborne, a vintage German made headknife. some vintage Shefield Steel punches .
Though I’m an “old guy”, I am so happy and thrilled to be moving to Texas and calling it “my home! The traditions and love Texans have for their state is incredibly evident when talking with them. And, the respect to others shown by all generations of Texans is really unbelievable. I won’t be able to call myself a true Texan, only a transplanted one. But, when I die, I’ll at least be “Texas Dead!” Thanks for such a wonderful video of Texas life.
Brother. Ur a Texan. I’m Born and raised in San Antone. U r a Texan
I love stories like this.
God bless you and your legacy, and family.
I like Texas bucket list videos on UA-cam, from the imperial co California.
I so admire your artistic saddles and gear! Beautiful! Thank you for sharing your video!
I think I will get Mr. Oliver to make his best saddle for me!
Beautiful work.
There one of the best for sure !!
Great job enjoyed that!!!!
Great video
Grandpa has an oliver saddle that he rides quite a bit
First from Texas
Why you talking like that? Sounds like you’re out of breath.