My new-to-me saddle is perfect. Except the billets are separating. They’re not stitched, so assuming the bonding or adhesive has just given out. I don’t have a good saddle repair around here so wondering if I can fix them somehow, or just leave them. They’re not worn, cracked, etc.
Don’t leave them. I don’t have a good recommendation for the work, but it could require shipping your saddle. Maybe someone else does.
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Leather is leather. See if there’s a cobbler/shoe repair place around. I’ve had a guy here who, over the years, has repaired a surcingle, paddock boots, and half chaps.
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Not something I would take a risk on as a safety issue. I’d send it out and have them replaced with new billets. If you post your general location, you can probably get a recommendation for replacement within a reasonable shipping distance. Given the condition of the billets, I’d have the saddler check the tree and flocking at the same time for peace of mind.
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I use a long-time, respected saddle fitter, who also does repair, that I’ve known for years. I purchased an older, but quality, saddle (on my own, although the fitter approved of it, and did a little re-flocking).
The layers of billet leather were separating – no cracks, leather not dried out, no loose stitching, nothing else wrong with them. She told me that this not uncommon condition can be caused by over-oiling a saddle, and that I didn’t need to pay her to replace or repair the billets (which I’d guessed would be necessary). Her recommendation was to use contact cement to glue the layers back together, which I did.
I’ve used this saddle for a dozen years since. Of course, in my case, an expert examined the billets, diagnosed the issue, and then recommended this fix.
Stubben is famous for this and I just left them separated.
