03-16-2015, 10:49 AM
Well its not cheap to build your own unless you're already set up for it. I probably have $500-600 dollars in new tools for woodworking/carving/cutting/staining and leather cutting/staining/stamping/stitching and the brass hardware and whatnot and I'm still working on it. Once I've made equipment for all my guys I'll probably be into it $200 each outfit, and even then I'm not sure-- it may cost more with the panniers. I have a couple Owahee saddles with Northwest built-in pads and I intend to discard the nylon rigging and replace it with leather. Those ended up cheaper because I got them in a pile of goat equipment I found in the classifieds. Honestly I find that nylon rigging, while cheap and convenient, has a hard time staying properly adjusted and I worry about losing parts. Leather has its own downside but lets face it-- It looks cooler.