Reflocking?

Oct 31, 2015 13:52

I have an English saddle that will soon be 12 years old. It is a General Purpose Wintec 250 and has seen a fair amount of use both under me (until I realized it was too small for me, ha!) and under students. I have never had a saddle reflocked and figure it might be time. I would rather fix up what I have than buy a new one if at all possible ( Read more... )

tack care, tack: saddles

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Comments 7

candysgirl October 31 2015, 22:26:29 UTC
When I asked Stubben the same question about my 30+ year old saddle, (I have a few varying in age from 10-30yo) they asked a couple back. Is it even? Does it feel lumpy? Does it feel hard? The flocking should feel even and have some give to it if you press on it with your thumbs. They said age isn't always a good indicator of needing to reflock.

As far as who to send it to? I would contact Wintec and see who they recommend. I know Stubben has a big list of people you can send it to if you don't have any local saddle fitters who can do it.

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lantairvlea November 3 2015, 02:02:41 UTC
Thanks for the suggestion! I didn't think of the manufacturer as a possible resource, but that makes perfect sense.

I poked and prodded it today and it appears to be in good shape. I even compared to the one I purchased last year and they have comparable firm/softness.

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rolypolypony November 1 2015, 13:08:46 UTC
Smith Worthington in Hartford, CT is also a place that accepts mail-ins - they're also SUPER happy to talk saddles, so I bet if you emailed/called them, they'd be able to help you determine if your saddle needs reflocking.

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lantairvlea November 3 2015, 02:11:24 UTC
Thanks for the recommendation! I'll look them up. I worry about the shipping cost sending it clear to the East coast.

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rolypolypony November 3 2015, 10:26:57 UTC
Understandable! :) Good luck!!

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suraineko November 2 2015, 06:04:51 UTC

Flip it upside down and look down the gullet at the panels for symmetry. You'll have to rock it back and forth as you look up and down the curve of the rails. Unless it's been reflocked before it's probably not going to be lumpy (lumps come from mixing wool and trying to adjust flocking post manufacture). Honestly if it's symmetrical and working for you it might not be the best idea to have it reflocked as the new flocking will need to be broken in, might change the fit, and will likely cost the value of the saddle or more.

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lantairvlea November 3 2015, 03:14:52 UTC
I did that today and it actually looked pretty good, so that makes me happy!

I was worried that getting it redone might not be cost effective. Hopefully it lasts another twelve years!

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