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And, why no suede kneerolls?
Topic Started: Jan 7 2007, 01:30 PM (1,188 Views)
3Bays
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In addition to War Admiral's excellent question on why no cutback saddles seem to be made much anymore, I would like to know WHY on Earth are the sueded kneerolls not put on saddles anymore?

Am I just an old fogey? I realize it was quite the normal thing for a long while for kids' saddles to be made with them, and occasionally adult saddles as well. It just seems silly not to have them anymore...do you all think it's because breeches come with the suede/clarino patches, etc?

I love my saddles, so don't get me wrong! But, I personally would LOVE to have suede kneerolls...there are just some days I'm not so strong or balanced and it surely would help --- breeches don't quite make it sometimes.

Or, am I nuts? :unsure:
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little pepper
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I Visited Candy Mountain and All I Got Was This Lousy Incision
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Interesting suubject. And no, you aren't crazy, I've noticed this trend also. I bought a Pessoa eventer saddle on ebay a few months ago, and it has suede padded flaps. It's an older, English made Pessoa, and I don't think they make them anymore. I worry about the suede looking grubby later on in life, but we'll see. It was a great find, and I love it! Other than that, I haven't seen much. I seem to recall Libertyville having some no-name saddles with suede padded flaps, but that's about it!

Maybe the saddlemakers quit using sueded padding because there was no longer any demand. Hmmm...
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Riggs
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Perhaps because as the suede ages, it looks worn out....?
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War Admiral
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Aren't there some saddlers who still offer it as an option? Obviously I'm not in that market/price range, but I'm pretty sure that Hermes, Pariani and Passier still do... Or have I just not been paying attention?
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vanex
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Saddle makers seem to feel that the suede is not as strong as they would like it to be, and many are going with the buffalo hide seat and knee rolls. A good saddle maker can replace the knee rolls with suede on your favorite saddle, though.
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kapster
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Schooling
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Riggs
Jan 7 2007, 04:05 PM
Perhaps because as the suede ages, it looks worn out....?

That's what I was thinking. I used to have a saddle with suede knee rolls (I bought it used), and the suede was rubbed smooth in some places, turning it a darker color and causing the saddle to look much less attractive.
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RHowell
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A primary nemesis of leather longevity is sweat/grunge. Suede is harder to keep clean than smoothe leather, so that may also be a reason. I have an old school hampton classic with the suede knee rolls and I love it. My two newer saddles have smooth grain leather knee rolls and it's definitely a different feel.

The smoothe leather may also project more "luxury" with all the French Invasion that just wasn't here 15 years ago.
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3Bays
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All excellent points, gang.

Yeah, I have a Pariani and it's got the suede kneerolls, but that saddle is waaaaaayyyyy old and just about nearing its retirement...so I got new saddles for my two big guys. LOVE the saddles, but WISH I had the suede kneerolls... Vanex, you make a great suggestion!!! I'll have to nose around for a good saddlemaker in my geographic area and see if they CAN put on suede kneerolls!

I'm not showing or anything...if the kneerolls get a tad grungy, no biggy. I'm in it for the fun and want to be comfy and SAFE. Thanks for the suggestion! (I'm a bit slow...have no clue why that did't occur to me...
:duh:
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Jamie2337
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My saddle, a Smith Worthington, has suede kneerolls...and I love it! :yes:
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HJ049
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I imagine it would have something to due with the fact suede is harder to keep clean, and suede has a tendency to wear down more quickly, if suede is not kept up with, it gets very icky. I have seen many old suede knee roll saddles, that looked kind of gross.
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Ice Princess
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I agree with what everyone has been saying. The suede starts out more grippy but when it gets worn down it becomes flat like leather and also it is very hard to clean and maintain
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EasterEgg
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We have two of the lovely older pessoas in our tack room - the ones with the suede seats and knee rolls. A couple of years ago the trainer's 5 year old son decided to be 'helpful' (which in all fairness he probably did think he was being) and oiled the one of the saddles - including the knee rolls. Thankfully he left the seat alone.

The saddle is fine though - we used a lot of paper towel to mop up the excess oil, so it's recovered pretty well.

Thankfully the child is now more interested in hooning about the farm on his mini-ATV and mini moto so I think the tack is safe now :luck:
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Bucko
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I have one of the older Stubben Sigfrieds with the suede knee rolls. I have one of the newer Stubben Sigfrieds without suede knee rolls. I think the suede knee rolls give the saddle a classic look, and yes, it is a different feel. But yes, the suede gets pretty worn down (and worn out) over the years.

I think maybe the suede went "out of style" in the hunter world, and everybody went to leather kneerolls.
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Fairy Crop
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I recently purchased an older-than-dirt Pariani "jumping" saddle that is so perfectly balanced, I want to kiss it :innocent:

It has a rounded cantle and suede knee-rolls...two things I was always told never to get...but let me tell you...the rounded cantle has not hindered my position nor my horse's way of going :teehee: and the suede knee rolls are rubbed SO FREAKIN' SMOOTH, they are useless as far as grip over a bad distance (ask me how I know this :brickwall:).

I would venture to guess that how the suede ages depends greatly on what quality the saddler used in the first place...

I really do love this saddle...and it's wool-flocked and only cost me $200 at Classic Saddlery :woot: My MDC stirrups cost almost as much :D
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just_me
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I think it has to do with the suede not being a strong as leather. Suede wears down and gets smooth looking and then actually tears.

My first saddle was a Crosby with suede knee rolls (yes, it was a long time ago). Eventually, the suede wore out and tore near the stitching. I think I had to have the torn suede replaced.
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