For me, being a middle of the road kind of bit maker, that is all I have to sell is the fact that I can make something just as the customer orders. Adding personalisation, like brands or unique design is all that I have to offer because you can buy something from Mexico that looks as good for less than I can build it.
Jim

Jim,
I sure know what you are talking about. Back during my cowboy days every nice bit I had was from Mexico. I had three EG's, a Garcia, and a couple with no mark on them. Back then nobody in this area was doing nice work. I started seeing some of Mark Dahl's and Jeremiah Watt's work in the mid 1980's. It was the first really nice stuff I had ever seen. I wanted to order something so bad, but never could quite bring myself to do it. I just didn't think I could justify spending that much money. Later on Wilson Capron started building knockout pieces right here in Texas. Same deal, I wanted to order something but I didn't think I could really afford to. I sure wished now I would have. What good investments those would have been.

Stewart

I've always thought quality bits and spure were good long term investments. you can use and enjoy them and they will still retain alot of their value. They will outlast a saddle, pair of boots, and alot of different horses and still be worth something. Not many other pieces of gear can do that.

Larry

Good handmade gear-I also feel is a good investment- most all of it will be worth as much or more down the road so long term, if nothing else, you get to use a well built, nice peice for nothing. I personaly think this trend will continue, as so much of what we all build is now considered collectable or an art form (as opposed to being simply a functional tool or peice of gear).
The garcia,voyts,etc I think have caused alot of us "average Joe" or beginner type makers to underprice our stuff(to try and compete), but it's interesting to see the changes in our customers mindsets- more and more of them are able to pick out the differences and they too now have realized the value in one of a kind ,handmade gear. (it still does amaze me that these peices can be made and sold as cheap as they are-there's still a pile of work in them and the people making them are real craftsmen in their own right-every now and again you come across an exceptionally well done peice- have also seen some recent ones that have silver inlays and nickel conchos and buttons on them)

Beautiful bit with exceptional craftsmanship. Thank you for posting it. I have been away for a while and I see I have missed some awesome stuff. I really like this bit.

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Denny Lytle
L & M Spurs

Richard~ Awsome work. I like your attention for details. Beautiful!

Best regards,
Greg Pauline