Slick Fork Saddle Shop

406-266-4170

Handmade Quality

Handmade@slickforksaddleshop.com

   SLICK FORK SADDLE SHOP is a custom saddle shop building custom western stock saddles, tack, and other cowboy and horse gear. I build all of my own saddle trees on site from wood using strong laminated construction.  They are hand covered with heavy rawhide and are guaranteed for five years. I build both slick fork and swell fork saddles in different styles with either wood post or bronze horns. I have cantle patterns in shovel and oval styles in different heights and widths. Building my own trees allows me to custom modify or design fork and cantle patterns.                                                         There are not as many different trees as most people think. For example just changing the thickness of the stock that the fork is cut from can change what the tree is called. The thickness of the stock that the fork was cut from would be seen from a side view of the tree or finished saddle. For instance I make my WADE trees out of 5" stock. If I build it out of 4 1/2" I call that a HOMESTEAD. I would use the same pattern to cut each of them out on the bandsaw , but one would be 1/2 thicker than the other. Most swell forks are cut from 3 1/2" or 3 3/4" stock but, this can be changed to give the fork more lip on the front or for a wood post horn. Saddles built on a swell fork tree will usually weigh a little more because of the extra wood in the fork. A bronze horn seems to add weight  also compared to a post horn.

     Since the rawhide is where the real strength comes from on a saddle tree I use good heavy rawhide on my trees. I use high quality 13/15 oz saddle skirting and good strong, wear resistant hardware in my saddles. The billets and back chinch are lined with 5/7oz latigo. Real shearling (sheepskin) is used to line the skirts. My saddles have been weighing  38lb to 41lbs with a flat plate riggin, depending on the stirrup choice. Since everyone one is hand made the weights will vary a small amount from saddle to saddle. Saddle Bags, large stirrups, covered stirrups, breast collars, and other options will add weight to your saddle. I like to keep the weight down as much as possible. I also build  headstalls, reins, breast collars, saddle bags, and many other tack items which can be ordered to match a new saddle. I also will be building decker pack saddles in the near future, along with other pack items. My pack trees will be built on site also. I use Hermann Oak Leathers in my saddles and gear and solid brass, bronze, or stainless steel hardware. Don't forget to check out the Saddles for Sale page link at the top of the page to see what I have that is already built.

Slick Fork Saddle Shop

Copyright (c) 2000 Slick Fork Saddle Shop                   

28 Valley Drive
Townsend, MT  59644
406-266-4170
Handmade@slickforksaddleshop.com