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Wood hunting saddles

What is the purpose of the 1" webbing on the outside of the saddle below the 1.75" webbing row that has the molle on it?

@Weldabeast is that the thickness you're saying you like about the saddle?

edit: nvm I see its the leg strap hook up
View attachment 77674
Yes sir that is the leg strap connection point. We also sew in a piece of ridged 17337 on the sides where the pleat joins. The cordura is doubled, the mesh is thick and rigid. By sewing it that way along with it coming slightly beyond the hip bone keeps it from pinching in that corner.

structurally the saddle is like a beefed up version of the OG kestrel flex yet it weighs a little less because of the bridge. As to your question about its feel, it’s very similar except less pressure in your back. The og flex was straight about 12” across and then began concave about 6” away from each end. Ours begins its slight curve a couple inches from the center which gives a little more room and a little less pressure across the back. Add in that the bridge loops form a 4 wrap prusik and you can dial in where the pressure is and keep it there (similar to the xc)
 
View attachment 77677

@Fl Canopy Stalker how much does your saddle differ dimensionally from the OG flex? What other ways does it differ? I see y'all use ghooks instead of adp buckles or frame buckles for the legs. Obviously different fabric and your inner pleat is mesh. l see yall use a amsteel bridge instead of webbing. I see y'all dont have the second row of molle, but you do have some molle on the bottom of the saddle. Thanks!
I kind of answered this on your other post our size one and size 2’s pretty much match dimensional sizing but we cut size 2 off at 38” and have a size 3 which is even larger. Also we do offer it with austrialpin cobra buckles instead of g hooks if you prefer. The single biggest improvement is that our pleat stays closed until you open it and our sides are more rigid so it won’t bunch up
 
Yes sir that is the leg strap connection point. We also sew in a piece of ridged 17337 on the sides where the pleat joins. The cordura is doubled, the mesh is thick and rigid. By sewing it that way along with it coming slightly beyond the hip bone keeps it from pinching in that corner.

structurally the saddle is like a beefed up version of the OG kestrel flex yet it weighs a little less because of the bridge. As to your question about its feel, it’s very similar except less pressure in your back. The og flex was straight about 12” across and then began concave about 6” away from each end. Ours begins its slight curve a couple inches from the center which gives a little more room and a little less pressure across the back. Add in that the bridge loops form a 4 wrap prusik and you can dial in where the pressure is and keep it there (similar to the xc)
Interesting, so it’s just a folded piece of 1” webbing used as a grosgrain that stiffens up the area Weldy was referring to? I know if I sew a couple passes of doubled over webbing it does get pretty stiff. I need to make another flex/ pleated saddle. I screwed up the dimensions on my last one and it never came out right.
Are you doing the woods saddle thing full time now?
 
Interesting, so it’s just a folded piece of 1” webbing used as a grosgrain that stiffens up the area Weldy was referring to? I know if I sew a couple passes of doubled over webbing it does get pretty stiff. I need to make another flex/ pleated saddle. I screwed up the dimensions on my last one and it never came out right.
Are you doing the woods saddle thing full time now?
No. I still work my normal job and then we spend evenings and weekends filling saddle requests. We hired a seamstress who helps out 3 to 4 days a week as well. We are queuing up the sew vendor who helps with our original saddle, to start mass producing our deluxe for next year. I also have a 2 panel in the works. I love my electrical job so no matter how good we do with the saddle business, I won’t be leaving my electrical career. As I’ve always stated I started making saddle simply because people wanted something similar to vintage aerohunter and I push safety and comfort over hype or ultralight
The webbing he’s referring to I believe is the 1.75” mil spec riggers webbing. The one inch tubular webbing underneath helps reinforce it. I used type 4 grosgrain webbing (thicker than normal grosgrain) on the outside edges including the pleat instead of simply folding over the edge of the cordura. All that combined gives a very stable and rigid feeling. Add in the thick hybrid mesh and you get a pleat that stays closed but still conforms like a normal material pleat…
 
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Interesting, so it’s just a folded piece of 1” webbing used as a grosgrain that stiffens up the area Weldy was referring to? I know if I sew a couple passes of doubled over webbing it does get pretty stiff. I need to make another flex/ pleated saddle. I screwed up the dimensions on my last one and it never came out right.
Are you doing the woods saddle thing full time now?
Sorry I edited my response to answer the rest of your questions.
I would be happy to send you a material list and dimensions for your DIY pleated saddle if you’re interested.
 
Sorry I edited my response to answer the rest of your questions.
I would be happy to send you a material list and dimensions for your DIY pleated saddle if you’re interested.
That’s not necessary, thanks though! I was just trying to understand the build of yalls saddle and what made it different. I didn’t see/hear you say that but I agree it’s very similar to the flex. I know you’re always talking about safety stuff though so that’s great.

I’m interested to try something to stiffen up the edge near the hips on my next build. My flex build scrunched up real bad. And I have used that 1.75” ever since making a transformer clone so I have some leftover for the next build. I know AH mounted their webbing like a half inch under but I may try bumping it against the top like y’alldo to stiffen the top part up.
 
That’s not necessary, thanks though! I was just trying to understand the build of yalls saddle and what made it different. I didn’t see/hear you say that but I agree it’s very similar to the flex. I know you’re always talking about safety stuff though so that’s great.

I’m interested to try something to stiffen up the edge near the hips on my next build. My flex build scrunched up real bad. And I have used that 1.75” ever since making a transformer clone so I have some leftover for the next build. I know AH mounted their webbing like a half inch under but I may try bumping it against the top like y’alldo to stiffen the top part up.
A thicker pleat will help stiffen up those sides. So will some 1” 17337 webbing in the corners and sew it too to bottom in a zig zag pattern. It’ll get pretty stiff and that way you don’t have some plastic rod that could potentially break and stab you inside of the saddle body. If you get the cordura body just past the round point of your hip bone, it’ll also help keep the webbing from landing on your hip. Good luck with the build and make sure you post some pics for us to see
 
Yes sir that is the leg strap connection point. We also sew in a piece of ridged 17337 on the sides where the pleat joins. The cordura is doubled, the mesh is thick and rigid. By sewing it that way along with it coming slightly beyond the hip bone keeps it from pinching in that corner.

structurally the saddle is like a beefed up version of the OG kestrel flex yet it weighs a little less because of the bridge. As to your question about its feel, it’s very similar except less pressure in your back. The og flex was straight about 12” across and then began concave about 6” away from each end. Ours begins its slight curve a couple inches from the center which gives a little more room and a little less pressure across the back. Add in that the bridge loops form a 4 wrap prusik and you can dial in where the pressure is and keep it there (similar to the xc)

Son of a gun. After going through several saddles, I was finally completely happy with my XC and had no intention of buying another but, you are starting to put that little "You need another saddle devil" back on my shoulder.
 
Son of a gun. After going through several saddles, I was finally completely happy with my XC and had no intention of buying another but, you are starting to put that little "You need another saddle devil" back on my shoulder.
The XC is a great saddle
 
@Fl Canopy Stalker I’m surprised you haven’t talked more about your saddles over here in the vendor forum. I admire your WOM mentality and letting it come about naturally. I see some of the guys that have been here a good long while are starting to get their hands on them and have had nothing but great things to say so I’m sure the buz will follow.

I like the features you brought to this pleated saddle. It looks like some of these small upgrades make a difference. All these people getting sentimental about AH need to give your stuff a go it sounds like. Don’t be cheap @GCTerpfan ! Lol
 
It doesn't apply much to me cause I don't get crazy about the safety aspect to saddles but.....the peeps who like that kinda stuff stalker has the 3rd party testing...I get to hear about it whenever we get together.....I try to pretend to be really interested.....something about Linesman's loop drop testing....hahahahabab jk stalker. I think stalker having the previous climbing background, that safety aspect has been imbedded in his brain from all the safety tests/meetings/certifications .....
 
@Fl Canopy Stalker I’m surprised you haven’t talked more about your saddles over here in the vendor forum. I admire your WOM mentality and letting it come about naturally. I see some of the guys that have been here a good long while are starting to get their hands on them and have had nothing but great things to say so I’m sure the buz will follow.

I like the features you brought to this pleated saddle. It looks like some of these small upgrades make a difference. All these people getting sentimental about AH need to give your stuff a go it sounds like. Don’t be cheap @GCTerpfan ! Lol
I guess I’m just not much of a salesman. I watched some of Greg’s marketing genius and I keep thinking I can do that…. Then I get on a video or on here and I just can’t hype it. I guess I wasn’t built that way. Our saddles are highly influenced by AH. But I’m a tinker. I constantly strive for improvement. So I took everything I love about those saddles and tried to find ways to improve the things I didn’t. I mentioned that in a couple of the podcasts we do. We allow CGM and Buzzard Roost to promote their stuff on our “How Hunter’s hang out” Facebook group as well. Maybe it’s because I’m not dependent on saddle sales for my bills? But I don’t see saddle companies as competition per se, I see them as colleagues. The only way to advance this sport is if we all work together to grow it (instead of stifling it like some do)… I appreciate you saying kind words about our builds and our unique (questionable?) approach to marketing and sales…. I just want people to be happy with their product, comfortable in the tree and safe while using it. Be honest and build them right, The rest will take care of itself.
 
It doesn't apply much to me cause I don't get crazy about the safety aspect to saddles but.....the peeps who like that kinda stuff stalker has the 3rd party testing...I get to hear about it whenever we get together.....I try to pretend to be really interested.....something about Linesman's loop drop testing....hahahahabab jk stalker. I think stalker having the previous climbing background, that safety aspect has been imbedded in his brain from all the safety tests/meetings/certifications .....
Noted!! Lol next time I will pick your brain about Stirrups and Japanese climbing methods instead ha ha ha!
 
No. I still work my normal job and then we spend evenings and weekends filling saddle requests. We hired a seamstress who helps out 3 to 4 days a week as well. We are queuing up the sew vendor who helps with our original saddle, to start mass producing our deluxe for next year. I also have a 2 panel in the works. I love my electrical job so no matter how good we do with the saddle business, I won’t be leaving my electrical career. As I’ve always stated I started making saddle simply because people wanted something similar to vintage aerohunter and I push safety and comfort over hype or ultralight
The webbing he’s referring to I believe is the 1.75” mil spec riggers webbing. The one inch tubular webbing underneath helps reinforce it. I used type 4 grosgrain webbing (thicker than normal grosgrain) on the outside edges including the pleat instead of simply folding over the edge of the cordura. All that combined gives a very stable and rigid feeling. Add in the thick hybrid mesh and you get a pleat that stays closed but still conforms like a normal material pleat instead of forming hot spots like when guys use 3” webbing to create the fold in their pleats.
Can you tell us a little bit about your two panel saddle?
Since my two panel is not tested, I may be looking?
 
Can you tell us a little bit about your two panel saddle?
Since my two panel is not tested, I may be looking?
I don’t want to spoil it on here just yet. We’ve been fine tuning the prototype for a little over a year. It’s gonna be kind of like if the old aerohunter evo met buzzard roost. We tried cutting weight while keeping maximum adjustability. And it will be drop tested before it officially goes on sale.
 
I don’t want to spoil it on here just yet. We’ve been fine tuning the prototype for a little over a year. It’s gonna be kind of like if the old aerohunter evo met buzzard roost. We tried cutting weight while keeping maximum adjustability. And it will be drop tested before it officially goes on sale.
Do you have a target date to launch the two panel?

Also, can I get a rope belt instead of buckle and have regular rope for my bridge? I can't stand the buckle on my go to H2, it's terrible to adjust for layers, and I just don't care for amsteel
 
Do you have a target date to launch the two panel?

Also, can I get a rope belt instead of buckle and have regular rope for my bridge? I can't stand the buckle on my go to H2, it's terrible to adjust for layers, and I just don't care for amsteel
I am targeting mid spring for the two panel release. I know a couple companies are adding rope attachments for the waist belt however I believe a company filed a patent for it. I try to avoid patent infringement but If the patent isn’t granted I could absolutely add a rope belt as an attachment although we are pretty fond of our cobra buckles. I could also do a regular rope bridge or a tubular webbing bridge.
 
I am targeting mid spring for the two panel release. I know a couple companies are adding rope attachments for the waist belt however I believe a company filed a patent for it. I try to avoid patent infringement but If the patent isn’t granted I could absolutely add a rope belt as an attachment although we are pretty fond of our cobra buckles. I could also do a regular rope bridge or a tubular webbing bridge.
These things practically sell themselves huh? Good to know! I guess if the rope belt is an issue I'm just looking for easier adjustment, I'm open to ideas there.

What's your preferred way to discuss changes? I'm not quite ready to buy yet but you're product is at the top of the list. Gets good reviews here and I definitely like how accessible you are
 
These things practically sell themselves huh? Good to know! I guess if the rope belt is an issue I'm just looking for easier adjustment, I'm open to ideas there.

What's your preferred way to discuss changes? I'm not quite ready to buy yet but you're product is at the top of the list. Gets good reviews here and I definitely like how accessible you are
Thanks man. We have an email us link on the website:
Or message us through Facebook or Instagram. I’ll DM you my personal cell as well.
 
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