I worked for many years in Berney’s we had a bit of fun when the hands programs was recorded It was done in 1981. Declan passed away later that year it was a sad time he was very skilled with the needle and thread. A lot of the staff have moved on since 1981 but it was a good place to work many changes since then.
Declan and Brendon are my Uncles, I remember my father getting the news of the "Dec lad" passing. It is great to see skilled artisans are still around in this disposable digital age.
50 or more years ago I wanted to buy a 1920's era McKellen US Army saddle. It needed new latigos and a bit of care, but at $10 it was in my budget. Dad insisted I take it to his friend who had a saddle shop. I could have done the work, but deferred to my father's judgment. The problem was, his friend, though a good enough saddler, like to loosen a cork. I was 15 and had to watch and listen to a drunk with sharp knives 😮 I saw he was going to stitch a strap on wrong and called it to his attention. Typical mean drunk, he kicked me out of his shop and wouldn't let me back. He even lied and kept the saddle to sell to another customer. Surely wish I could have spent that time watching craftsmen like these. Thanks for sharing.
Many, many thanks for this valuable film. I am a saddle and harness maker and teacher in Hungary. This video is very useful for my students about the older technologies. Nowadays when the saddle industry use pneumatic staple machines instead of nails, modern special sawing machines almost every assembly operations and wide range of synthetic materials (composite saddle trees, webbings, threads etc.). I wonder when this film has been made? I suppose that in 1970’s.
Tamás Sápi I was in the hands program it was made in 1981 there is very few of the staff still working there Declan lost his life later that year it Was a sad time
i was surprised at the use of the synthetic stuffing, but it may be a matter of practicality vs cost. as a spinner of yarn for knitting, i occasionally buy a whole sheep's fleece. i am constantly reminded in those situations that any bits of the wool i discard in the cleaning/prepping process can go directly into a compost pile, where it will break down quite easily. the synthetic stuff, by contrast, will probably be around for a few hundred years... or longer.
My Grandfathers cousin One called Dan was a saddler in 1800's and his big sewing machine is still in the family today. A rare trade. Thank you for an interesting video.
Absolutely! I agree 100%. There are no longer apprenticeship programs in America and I do believe that has led to the downfall an added to the laziness in the American work ethic.
Well, it started with the hounding to death of a fox - so beautiful and soul soothing are not the phrases that come to mind. I live in the middle of the country on a farm and have expressly forbad the local hunt to come onto our land; this was after their pack of hounds had come into one of our fields and would have killed anything else living in that field; when I “remonstrated” with the leader, I was told “once they get the scent, we can’t stop the hounds”. I understand the need to control the fox population as I understand the need to control crows, rats etc. it’s a total lie that you can’t achieve these aims by shooting. The reality is that the idiots in red and black are just in it for “fun”. As the saying goes “what animal has a penis half way up their back?” A horse on a hunt. There are apprenticeships here in the UK but no where near the number that there used to be. 2 issues that I believe contributed greatly to that decline. Firstly, no young person these days is going to work for 4 or 5 years on a small wage; if nothing else, they look at their peers earning so much more. Secondly, firms would invest in training someone only to find that, after the apprenticeship ends, the newly-skilled person can just go to a competitor who, perhaps, have not invested in the training.
@@theofarmmanager267 my comment was solely addressing the work, and workmanship of the trade. I was not referring to the hound hunting. I do not think this is fare hunting. I hunt, and I do not agree with the old British type hunting on horses, driving and harassing the prey to the point of exhaustion.
@@humblehombre9904 thank you for your clarification. I also “hunt” in the sense that I fly fish for trout. However, I only catch up to my limit for taking fish and all those are for the table.
Excellent! As a seamstress and a lover of beautiful leather works and a lover of horses I could not take my eyes off of this. Such precision is magnificent!
Loved it! I didn't realise what an intricate process it is to make saddles and bridles, yet they make it look so easy! May they have horses in heaven - and a special place for saddle makers!
That was so interesting to watch. I was surprised to see the basic bridle had the bit sewn in! Therefore changing the bit wasn't possible! I thought that odd as not all horses like or go well in the same sort of bit. A well made saddle is absolutely essential to the horse and rider. It must fit the horse well and be as comfy as an armchair for the rider. I enjoyed watching the saddlers using their tools with ease and precision. Beautiful work.
My oldest uncle sent some old tack with his youngest sister into town one day, a few days ago now... she was going to the local hardware store and he suggested that this new stuff was just worn out and needed replacing! She came home with new replacements too! It was my Godfather who worked in the hardware store. There were lots of pranks being pulled in those days, on my Grandparents dairy farm. Grandpa set me up on top of one of the horses {Tom and Jerry} who was pulling the harvest one day as I was too afraid to ride with the other kids on top of the big wagon of loose hay. I was so small on my first horse ride that my legs stuck straight out on both sides of this huge horse! Stooks set near the house were my personal Tee Pees that year. Life was truly simple a few days ago.
The fox hunt reminds me of the Bugs Bunny carton with the huge cloud of hounds running through the fields and the men on horseback chasing along...I love dogs and horses...I’m glad they give the Fox a chance to live now...
Now that was a fine film , you see some programs that just give you the idea but this was warts and all including the finger with a plaster on , I should think there's a few of them . Great video 👍🇬🇧
My Great great Grandfather was John Shipley , harness and saddle maker to the King 181 Regent Street London .So much imported poor quality leather goods today .
Bloody good work. Long may your trade continue to be passed on to the younger people. I now know what Suzy Fletcher, from the repair shop actually did.
Tabourba What a stupid comment. Foxes are wild animals, they go instinct and know no better, unlike us supposedly intelligent animals, who should know better. As intelligent humans, we should know how to protect our animals from foxes, but then again, it’s cheaper and more fun to kill the fox and replace any animals they have killed, isn’t it?!
@@elvis459 How'd you get so soft? You wouldn't make it long without all of the modern tech that makes it possible to be that way. Surprised you didn't complain about the leather too.
Dan Hillman I’m soft because I recognise that foxes are wild animals as apposed to humans who are intelligent? How you arrive at that conclusion is beyond me!
I worked for many years in Berney’s we had a bit of fun when the hands programs was recorded
It was done in 1981. Declan passed away later that year it was a sad time he was very skilled with the needle
and thread. A lot of the staff have moved on since 1981 but it was a good place to work many changes since then.
Sorry to learn of the passing of Declan.
RIP
Yet another Clifford.
Declan and Brendon are my Uncles, I remember my father getting the news of the "Dec lad" passing. It is great to see skilled artisans are still around in this disposable digital age.
Skilled men
Yeah but isn’t Jim definitely the Chad ladies man of the fam.
2:43
50 or more years ago I wanted to buy a 1920's era McKellen US Army saddle.
It needed new latigos and a bit of care, but at $10 it was in my budget.
Dad insisted I take it to his friend who had a saddle shop.
I could have done the work, but deferred to my father's judgment.
The problem was, his friend, though a good enough saddler, like to loosen a cork.
I was 15 and had to watch and listen to a drunk with sharp knives 😮
I saw he was going to stitch a strap on wrong and called it to his attention.
Typical mean drunk, he kicked me out of his shop and wouldn't let me back.
He even lied and kept the saddle to sell to another customer.
Surely wish I could have spent that time watching craftsmen like these.
Thanks for sharing.
Many, many thanks for this valuable film. I am a saddle and harness maker and teacher in Hungary. This video is very useful for my students about the older technologies. Nowadays when the saddle industry use pneumatic staple machines instead of nails, modern special sawing machines almost every assembly operations and wide range of synthetic materials (composite saddle trees, webbings, threads etc.). I wonder when this film has been made? I suppose that in 1970’s.
I'm glad to hear it's been of interest to you and your students.
This episode was made in 1981.
Tamás Sápi
I was in the hands program it was made in 1981 there is very few of the staff still working there Declan lost his life later that year it
Was a sad time
i was surprised at the use of the synthetic stuffing, but it may be a matter of practicality vs cost. as a spinner of yarn for knitting, i occasionally buy a whole sheep's fleece. i am constantly reminded in those situations that any bits of the wool i discard in the cleaning/prepping process can go directly into a compost pile, where it will break down quite easily. the synthetic stuff, by contrast, will probably be around for a few hundred years... or longer.
My Grandfathers cousin One called Dan was a saddler in 1800's and his big sewing machine is still in the family today. A rare trade. Thank you for an interesting video.
Absolutely beautiful and soul soothing. We need places like this where young men can apprentice and get their hands dirty, instead of manicured.
Absolutely! I agree 100%. There are no longer apprenticeship programs in America and I do believe that has led to the downfall an added to the laziness in the American work ethic.
@@doberman1ism So glad someone else sees it. Here’s hoping it changes.
Well, it started with the hounding to death of a fox - so beautiful and soul soothing are not the phrases that come to mind. I live in the middle of the country on a farm and have expressly forbad the local hunt to come onto our land; this was after their pack of hounds had come into one of our fields and would have killed anything else living in that field; when I “remonstrated” with the leader, I was told “once they get the scent, we can’t stop the hounds”.
I understand the need to control the fox population as I understand the need to control crows, rats etc. it’s a total lie that you can’t achieve these aims by shooting. The reality is that the idiots in red and black are just in it for “fun”. As the saying goes “what animal has a penis half way up their back?” A horse on a hunt.
There are apprenticeships here in the UK but no where near the number that there used to be. 2 issues that I believe contributed greatly to that decline. Firstly, no young person these days is going to work for 4 or 5 years on a small wage; if nothing else, they look at their peers earning so much more. Secondly, firms would invest in training someone only to find that, after the apprenticeship ends, the newly-skilled person can just go to a competitor who, perhaps, have not invested in the training.
@@theofarmmanager267 my comment was solely addressing the work, and workmanship of the trade. I was not referring to the hound hunting. I do not think this is fare hunting. I hunt, and I do not agree with the old British type hunting on horses, driving and harassing the prey to the point of exhaustion.
@@humblehombre9904 thank you for your clarification. I also “hunt” in the sense that I fly fish for trout. However, I only catch up to my limit for taking fish and all those are for the table.
Excellent! As a seamstress and a lover of beautiful leather works and a lover of horses I could not take my eyes off of this. Such precision is magnificent!
These videos should be shown to all children in school!
Loved it! I didn't realise what an intricate process it is to make saddles and bridles, yet they make it look so easy! May they have horses in heaven - and a special place for saddle makers!
Anice comment!
True mastercraft on display here...I'm gratified to know the shop is still in business today...
These videos are an antidote to modern life's crazy going ons.
That was so interesting to watch. I was surprised to see the basic bridle had the bit sewn in! Therefore changing the bit wasn't possible! I thought that odd as not all horses like or go well in the same sort of bit. A well made saddle is absolutely essential to the horse and rider. It must fit the horse well and be as comfy as an armchair for the rider. I enjoyed watching the saddlers using their tools with ease and precision. Beautiful work.
My oldest uncle sent some old tack with his youngest sister into town one day, a few days ago now... she was going to the local hardware store and he suggested that this new stuff was just worn out and needed replacing! She came home with new replacements too! It was my Godfather who worked in the hardware store. There were lots of pranks being pulled in those days, on my Grandparents dairy farm. Grandpa set me up on top of one of the horses {Tom and Jerry} who was pulling the harvest one day as I was too afraid to ride with the other kids on top of the big wagon of loose hay. I was so small on my first horse ride that my legs stuck straight out on both sides of this huge horse! Stooks set near the house were my personal Tee Pees that year. Life was truly simple a few days ago.
Happy times
The fox hunt reminds me of the Bugs Bunny carton with the huge cloud of hounds running through the fields and the men on horseback chasing along...I love dogs and horses...I’m glad they give the Fox a chance to live now...
Celebrating brutish barbarism and inbred snobbery in the 21st century.. well done you,
An excellent programme
... & fascinating . Thank you.
This series is amazing such talent.
Beautiful craftmanship💚💚🐎💚💚
teach more people this awesome trade !! 😍
Great vid! I was looking to adjust the tracking a couple times!
Master craftsman... im proud to be Irish.
Now that was a fine film , you see some programs that just give you the idea but this was warts and all including the finger with a plaster on , I should think there's a few of them . Great video 👍🇬🇧
This was a great hands on video, Being a novice leather worker meself, you can learn so much from these great craftsman. Thanks so much.
I can't believe the details on the leather! The Irish should make beautiful handbags, too, as in the Hermès Birkin bags.
My Great great Grandfather was John Shipley , harness and saddle maker to the King 181 Regent Street London .So much imported poor quality leather goods today .
They went through challenging times with the invention of the motor car, many closed.
super stuff as it is amazing to see this as I know what strain the leather is under when on a powerful horse, amazing workmanship
A wonderful bit of old film.
I wonder if these people are still doing this great job.
Yes, they're still in business.
Holy Crap how much in today's money must have that cost? Unbelievable by all involved in 1981
Such skill, love to see it.
I freaked out when it said that the guys name was Declan, it's weird to hear your name other places especially when it's not that popular
Wonderful
Opens with the unspeakable in pursuit of the uneatable! Great vid though.
Bloody good work. Long may your trade continue to be passed on to the younger people. I now know what Suzy Fletcher, from the repair shop actually did.
I wonder if that Mysterious Stick still exists in 2022.
My grandad owns berney brothers
I imagine these lads would be on for some fierce drinkin’ come Friday
i challenge any bricklayer to stitch a saddle, and not get sore hands, heavy work.
where can I get one of those heated creasing machines? @4:55
Check this film out about an old fiddler from Donegal who makes things from old pallets.
th-cam.com/video/TsDTy2v9HAw/w-d-xo.html
No matter which of d series of hands u see they are all brilliant thank you
Saddles okay for light easy use. Not much use for working.
Good old days in ireland
Is there any videos about knifemaking?
Jacklore knives on TH-cam
how did he sharpen the knife on his workbench?
It’s called stropping
Where can I get a creasing machine? (@4:50)
IM A HORSE VAULTER- ARE THERE VAULTERS IN OLD ERIO?
Respect…
I’m rooting for the fox.😢
Did they finally outlaw fox hunting in England? I have to believe the must have from all the damage they do in the allotment garden shows I watch.
hunting foxes is against the law but hunting with hounds continues, its now called drag hunting
Unless d hounds find a fox that's placed conveniently for them
The machine is doing away w/these jobs....then when the machine fails....and there is no more fuels....and al these jobs are forgotten....then what?
Deckie Deckie >>> then we will view this film and relearn the technique.
Except there are plenty of people still doing handwork like this. Just because you don't see it doesn't mean it's not being done.
Bernie Bros in Finnegans Wake
😁👍👏👏👏
the butcher in kilcullen has a big red nose
I love Ireland. I'm from Turkey and I think Ireland is beautiful country. Especially farmhouses. 🌷
It's a absolute shame Ireland has turned into a dangerous 3rd world shithole!
AGENBITE OF INWIT
That diddley dee music.
Great music I'd say it could be d chieftains
Embarrassing how the rich killed the animals ..
Actually in Ireland in the countryside people from all social strands hunt
Embarrassing how the ignorant judge without any actual knowledge.
Never liked the idea of blood sport..
Poor oul foxes
Tabourba What a stupid comment. Foxes are wild animals, they go instinct and know no better, unlike us supposedly intelligent animals, who should know better. As intelligent humans, we should know how to protect our animals from foxes, but then again, it’s cheaper and more fun to kill the fox and replace any animals they have killed, isn’t it?!
@@elvis459 How'd you get so soft? You wouldn't make it long without all of the modern tech that makes it possible to be that way. Surprised you didn't complain about the leather too.
Dan Hillman I’m soft because I recognise that foxes are wild animals as apposed to humans who are intelligent? How you arrive at that conclusion is beyond me!
Should be outlawed