bitsandspurs

Baquero · Joined: 29 Nov 2007 Posts: 7

Hey everyone. I'm new here, but I've been lurking for awhile, drooling over all the pictures of beautiful gear!
I am interested in making my own Californio style bits and spurs, but I have no idea where to start. What tools should I have? Any good books or videos to get? I have a pretty tight budget, but any sort of advice would be helpfull.
Thanks!

Steve223 · Joined: 14 May 2007 Posts: 92 Location: Deming New Mexico

Baquero,
If you cant afford to attend a school I would suggest that you look at Jeremiah Watts Videos, They will at least give you and Idea of how to get started. I refer back to them pretty regularly.Heres the web site
http://www.ranch2arena.com/videoeng.html

_________________
The winds of heaven blow between a horse's ears
Black Mountain Bits and Spurs & Big Game Hounds

Norm Harris, Jr. · Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2007 6:14 pm Post subject: Where to Start

Baquero

There is a book written by an Old bit & Spur maker who had a shop in King City, Ca. he is deceased now. His name was R, M, Hall the book has lots of illustrations and how to tips. Its been around for quite a while, very informative. There is one for sale on E-bay right now, Item No.250193401003 HOW TO MAKE BITS AND SPURS by R.M.HALL pretty reasonable. Very Happy

_________________
Norm Harris, Jr.
"The outside of a Horse is good for the inside of a Man"

Stewart · Joined: 14 May 2007 Posts: 164 Location: Portales,NM

Baquero,
Good advice from Steve and Norm. And look for a copy of "Bit and Spur Makers of the Vaquero Tradition" by Ned and Jody Martin. I think it's out of print and has gotten pretty expensive, but maybe you can luck across a copy somewhere that's affordable. It's packed full of great pictures of old classic California bits and spurs and stories about the men that made them. Good luck.

Stewart

jim dunlap · Joined: 13 May 2007 Posts: 196 Location: Maxwell, Ca.

I have all those resorces and use them all. The most helpful to me was J.W.'s videos. I was the same as you, had no idea were to start, and leaned a lot from those videos.
Jim

Larry Fuegen · Joined: 02 Jun 2007 Posts: 166 Location: Prescott, AZ USA

Baqureo,

Check out www.hawkhillpress.com
Ned and Jody Martin have a pocket version of Bit and Spurmakers in the Vaquero Tradition that is still available. It doesn't have as many pictures but it is alot cheaper and makes a good shop book for quick referance. They also have a book on modern bit and spur makers that has alot of photos.

Larry

Larry Fuegen · Joined: 02 Jun 2007 Posts: 166 Location: Prescott, AZ USA

Baqureo,

Check out www.hawkhillpress.com
Ned and Jody Martin have a pocket version of Bit and Spurmakers in the Vaquero Tradition that is still available. It doesn't have as many pictures but it is alot cheaper and makes a good shop book for quick referance. They also have a book on modern bit and spur makers that has alot of photos.

Larry