Trying to decide between full buffalo or full calfskin Antares…I have a calfskin antares now and I love to ride in the calfskin, the leather has held up fairly well but is buffalo stronger? Is it as sticky, does it feel the same to ride in? What are the main differences between the two? Does one look better than the other? Thanks!!
Buffalo will last far longer than the calf. Much sturdier. Interestingly, buffalo leather is softer in warmer weather. We discovered this this winter. It warms up as you ride in it in the winter and softens, but it is a little stiffer when cold.
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I’ve never ridden in buffalo so no personal input, but did a quick search. You may want to read these other posts that have a lot of responses:
https://www.chronofhorse.com/forum/forum/discussion-forums/hunter-jumper/67025-calf-skin-or-buffalo-hide-for-new-saddle
https://www.chronofhorse.com/forum/forum/discussion-forums/hunter-jumper/301263-buffalo-or-calf-leather
https://www.chronofhorse.com/forum/forum/discussion-forums/hunter-jumper/155963-buffalo-leather-on-saddle
https://www.chronofhorse.com/forum/forum/discussion-forums/hunter-jumper/123476-devoucoux-buffalo-leather-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly-advice
One of my trainers had a buffalo skin saddle, I loved riding in it. It was very grippy and comfortable.
While I do love my calfskin Prestige, I will never again buy calfskin…just too delicate! It’s nice and grippy but marks up so easily 
I just recently purchased a new Antares Connexion for my mare, and spoke at length with my rep about Calf vs Buffalo, and she said that unless you’re working multiple horses multiple times a day or let others use your saddle, go with Calf. She said it breaks in easier, is softer and tackier than the Buffalo. I only have one horse and ride 5 days a week; I don’t need my leather to be super tough. Having said that, two things: 1) the calf scratches super easily. Like you look at it wrong and it scratches. It will buff out but it does mark. (Note: though it can scratch easily, if you take care of it, it will last a long time and look fabulous) 2) I did opt to get the grain leather flap protection at the bottom of the flap; it looks great and protects that high-wear area. I’ve now owned 3 Calf saddles and love them for both the look and feel.
Now having said that, I’ve never ridden in the Buffalo Antares; I’ve heard that different manufacturers have different quality buffalo leather, so keep that in mind, that a Voltaire vs CWD vs Antares vs other buffalo may not have the same qualities/stickiness. However it is definitely tougher than calf.
Another option is Grain flaps and Calf seat/knees. My rep’s demo was in this combo and it was very nice, but grain takes much longer to break in.
There are options between the premium ultra soft, better for gloves and purses calfskin and Buffalo. Like regular Bovine leather. Calfskin wears, Buffalo doesn’t but gets very, very pricey (both possibly affecting commissions of the salesperson). Can you get an Antares in…you know…leather that’s not an upsell to the calfskin or Buffalo?
I have regular bovine leather items from, like, 1970. Unless you want to cite Buffalo or calfskin when describing your saddle? No real practical need to go premium over properly tanned cow leather.
Ive had both the premiums . The calfskin wore prematurely and you can’t wear jeans, The Buffalo would survive the Apocalypse but can be as much as 30% more then cow leather…which would get you through most of any Apocalypse. And I never could tel the difference between cow and Buffalo sitting in it.
Pretty sure horse only only cares if it fits and the judge cannot see what kind of leather is under your fanny.
Then there’s where the calfskin comes from…veal calves??? Google it.
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I have a calfskin saddle and a buffalo leather saddle. Both are from high end french brands but neither are antares.
The calfskin saddle is sadly not doing so well. I will have to replace the flaps within the next few years. The buffalo leather saddle still looks brand new even though it is three years old. If I had the choice again I would get buffalo leather flaps and calfskin seat.
It’s about a grand to replace the seat and most don’t get near 10 years out of a calfskin seat, calfskin knee rolls go early too. If your budget is unlimited and will stay that way for the forseeable future, go for whatever makes you happiest…
I just see so many people getting up sold to the priciest leathers (creating better commission for sales rep) only to need another saddle within 5 years for a variety of reasons. Like forever and ever horse breaks and it doesn’t fit next horse. Same saddle in good quality regular grain leather lasts decades.
Had to replace a calfskin seat in a Butet at about 7 years. Looked into Buffalo, it was 30% more then quality regular leather, which felt exactly like the calfskin when it came back from the saddlery. And it didnt discolor like calfskin plus I could ride in jeans.
I don’t care for calf, not durable and as a previous poster said it scratches if you look at it funny. Buffalo will live forever but takes longer to break in. Personally, I prefer grain. If you find it slick, ask about a calf seat and grain flaps.
Not all grain is slick either, depends on the tanning and any textured finish on it. Same thing with break in, if it’s good quality, it’s not like breaking in a pair of boots.
Always thought it was kind of fun to break in a quality new saddle, lightly hand oiling it after each ride. That new smell. Never took more then 5-7 rides to really start to sink into that sweet spot.
I’ve had both, and strongly prefer buffalo. I bought my buffalo saddle pretty used, and I ride in jeans and the thing has worn like iron. The seat and area under the stirrup leathers have worn smooth, but are still in very good condition with 8 or so years in my use. I had a calf skin before that, and was frustrated by it’s fragility. I was riding a lot of horses, especially young horses, at the time, so I didn’t have the luxury of babysitting my saddle. In the future I’d pay more for buffalo again just because I hate replacing anything.
I have a 2007 Devoucoux Biarritz in buffalo and everyone who has ever ridden in it absolutely loves it - very comfortable, supple, and sticky. Looks brand new still. Just found another, 2008 model, and bought it right away. Love the buffalo and both saddles look amazing.
Personally, I would go buffalo. I will say for my company (not Antares) I don’t get paid more wether you do calf, buffalo, or grain. However, there is a price difference between them all with buffalo being the most expensive… for good reason!
the break in between a buffalo vs calf is really not much different, with maybe a little more conditioner used on the buffalo when it first comes out of the box. Buffalo last longer, is just as soft, and grippier IMO.
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