CWD SE01 vs SE02? And calf vs grain leather?

[murph]

Can anyone give me input that’s sat in both the CWD SE01 and SE02 models as to how different they are? What you liked and didn’t like?

Also grain flaps vs full calf? Is anyone finding the grain flaps slippery?

Reason I’m asking is I have an SE02 full calf that I adore but is too small for me (was given as gift) so I’m passing it on to my daughter. I’m having a HECK of a time finding a replacement used one - can’t afford a new custom and prefer used saddles anyway. I really had my heart set on another SE02 in full calf but need an 18" with a 3 or 4 flap and I’m finding it’s just about impossible to find this!!!

Closest I’ve come is an 18" SE01 and it’s got grain flaps. It’s a long ways away and I’d have to buy sight unseen (with plans to resell if it doesn’t work for me or horse). I’ve never seen or sat in a grain leather CWD, nor the SE01. In other saddle makes over the years I’ve always found grain leather to get shiny and slippery over time and really hated it. I LOVED the full calf. I also do some bigger jumpers - 4’+, no hunters - and had thought of the SE01 as the hunter model that’s more of a flat seat. It doesn’t look flat in the pics but for sure the SE02 is their “deeper” seat model.

Can anyone give me any input on these variations? Really don’t know what to do here and getting worried about passing this saddle up and not finding a replacement before show season hits!

[doublesstable]

I have ridden in those saddles and my favorite hands down is the SE01 full calf. I have the SE01 full calf 18 seat 4 long flap. The grain is not as grippy and the full calf is just like butter. CWD sews seams and edges in grain so the full calf wont wear out too soon. It’s extremely well made and thought out.

It’s an amazing saddle that keeps me right where I need to be with confidence.

Personally I felt the SE02 was a bit deep for me… the SE01 is called a half deep so it’s got some cantle behind it but not too much.

And IMHO I used to be all about used saddles until I had my new CWD built - it felt broke in from day one… It was worth saving for.

If you go for the grain, if it’s in good enough shape you should be able to re-sell it for about what you paid.

[murph]

Thanks for the reply. When I go to CWD’s website it lists the SE01 as a ‘flat seat’ saddle which scares me but it doesn’t look flat when I look at pics of them.

[doublesstable]

[QUOTE=![](urph;5390673]
Thanks for the reply. When I go to CWD’s website it lists the SE01 as a ‘flat seat’ saddle which scares me but it doesn’t look flat when I look at pics of them. :)[/QUOTE]

If you talk to a rep they will say it’s a half deep. :lol: Maybe because of this reason???

I rode in a “flat” saddle for years and the SE01 is not flat…

Heres a pix of mine:

[IMG]http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r249/buddycloudy/CWD008.jpg)

[Justice]

I have had both… and I would say you should ride in it before you buy it. There is a difference, and if you loved one you may like the other, but not love it.

[luchiamae]

I wouldn’t call it a flat seat, I have definitely ridden in flatter seated saddle.

But will agree with Justice, it’s hard to say…would definitely need to ride in it.

[alto]

Can you have your local rep come out with demo SE01 vs SE02 & calf vs grain?
It doesn’t really matter what other people like, the only one riding in your saddle is you
If you’re very particular about what saddle you love vs like, then I’d suggest firing up the CC & getting the saddle you know you’re going to love for the next 10 years (maybe your daughter could chip in if she’s working).

In general very few french saddles are truly flat seats but if you love the depth of the SE02, then hold out for that.

[wanderlust]

The SE01 is the flat seat, it is not their “half deep” model. Trust me, I’m on my 3rd CWD and none of the 3 reps I worked with ever called the SE01 a “half deep.” The web site also says so, click on the model numbers: http://www.cwdsellier.com/?currentPage=Collection&family=SE.

I like the SE01 flat seat version… when I ordered the latest saddle, I actually ordered the half-deep first, then called to change to the SE01. It is definitely not deep, but it is cushy, so it doesn’t feel like one of the old school saddles, or the Tad Coffin, which have not much too them.

Doublesstable, the saddle in your pic looks much deeper than any of the ones I’ve had.

As far as leather… I’ve had two grain and a calfskin. Didn’t like the calfskin… too much padding between my leg and the horse. The grain breaks in really quickly, is pretty sticky, and provides a really nice close contact with the horse’s side.

[doublesstable]

@wanderlust;5390755

The SE01 is the flat seat, it is not their “half deep” model.

Doublesstable, the saddle in your pic looks much deeper than any of the ones I’ve had.

My saddle in the picture is stamped SE01… I can ask the rep for more detail but two of the reps said it’s their half deep.???

Honestly - whatever it is - it’s amazing. And to the OP - CWD might be able to help you? Do a demo, and see if they can find you a used one.

PS - they also take trade ins on french made saddles!

Per web site:
SE01 - flat seat
SE02 - half deep
SE06 - deep seat

They have had some changes and have not updated their site?? There is not a picture of their full calf with the stiching and grain trims.

[wanderlust]

[QUOTE=doublesstable;5390820]
My saddle in the picture is stamped SE01… I can ask the rep for more detail but two of the reps said it’s their half deep.???

Honestly - whatever it is - it’s amazing. And to the OP - CWD might be able to help you? Do a demo, and see if they can find you a used one.

PS - they also take trade ins on french made saddles!

Per web site:
SE01 - flat seat
SE02 - half deep
SE06 - deep seat

They have had some changes and have not updated their site?? There is not a picture of their full calf with the stiching and grain trims.[/QUOTE] I got my last one less than 2 months ago, so doubt any changes. I’ll try to get a pic of mine on my horse tomorrow.

But yes, pretty fantastic saddles. The only one I’ve ever liked better was this ancient Tad Coffin I had, but horsey HATED it. And since Tad doesn’t take trade-ins, back to CWD I went.

[doublesstable]

[QUOTE=wanderlust;5390986]
I got my last one less than 2 months ago, so doubt any changes. I’ll try to get a pic of mine on my horse tomorrow.

But yes, pretty fantastic saddles. The only one I’ve ever liked better was this ancient Tad Coffin I had, but horsey HATED it. And since Tad doesn’t take trade-ins, back to CWD I went.[/QUOTE]

Maybe the seat on mine looks deeper because of the horse it was fitted to?? As you can see how flippin’ thick it is in the back. (under the seat)

Both of my mounts have low backs and high “big” shoulders. They both have a 3 inch spine (they were both suppose to be Dressage horses) :lol: And good thing the saddle fits both of them… Yay.

[wanderlust]

[QUOTE=doublesstable;5391020]
Maybe the seat on mine looks deeper because of the horse it was fitted to?? As you can see how flippin’ thick it is in the back. (under the seat)

Both of my mounts have low backs and high “big” shoulders. They both have a 3 inch spine (they were both suppose to be Dressage horses) :lol: And good thing the saddle fits both of them… Yay.[/QUOTE] Quite possibly- the last one I had was built up in back and looked a little deeper than the current. Which is the pro fit, but with the panels cut down a bit for big shoulders.

Of course, it could just be variation because they are hand-made… none of mine have been very alike, in spite of being ordered to similar specs with minor modifications.

[BAC]

I’ve ridden in both and bought the SE01 in grain leather. I prefer a flatish seat but not pancake flat, so this seat was perfect for me, I don’t like the confined feeling of a deeper seat. And I am one of the rare people who prefers grain to calf. Its more durable and more importantly to me, it doesn’t mark up like the calf does. Unlike my slippery as glass grain Stubben Siegfried, my grain CWD is not at all slippery, in fact many who have ridden in it comment on how grippy it is. I sometimes wonder if that is the glycerine I use to seal the saddle after each cleaning? Maybe it adds a touch of grip to the leather?

[BAC]

@doublesstable;5390820

My saddle in the picture is stamped SE01… I can ask the rep for more detail but two of the reps said it’s their half deep.???

Honestly - whatever it is - it’s amazing. And to the OP - CWD might be able to help you? Do a demo, and see if they can find you a used one.

PS - they also take trade ins on french made saddles!

Per web site:
SE01 - flat seat
SE02 - half deep
SE06 - deep seat

They have had some changes and have not updated their site?? There is not a picture of their full calf with the stiching and grain trims.

I bought my SE01 five and a half years ago, and at that time the SE01 was considered their flat seat and the SE02 was the deep seat, I still have their brochure indicating this. At some point they added the half deep, and called that the SE02 and apparently now the deep seat is SE06. I think the reps are wrong and calling the SE01 a half deep because that it what it looks like, its not a panccake flat type which seems to be adding to the confusion.

[tallygirl]

doublestable… i have an SE01 that i have been having a lot of trouble with since i purchased it. like you my boy is 17.2 and has a huge shoulder and large wither but wide back. your saddle looks wayyyyy different then mine though, mine is a lot flatter. Mine also is not as built up in the back likes yours is even though it was supposed to be. i hope the outcome of mine once i get my new flaps is better. but yours still looks a lot deeper then mine.

[doublesstable]

[QUOTE=tallygirl;5391135]
doublestable… i have an SE01 that i have been having a lot of trouble with since i purchased it. like you my boy is 17.2 and has a huge shoulder and large wither but wide back. your saddle looks wayyyyy different then mine though, mine is a lot flatter. Mine also is not as built up in the back likes yours is even though it was supposed to be. i hope the outcome of mine once i get my new flaps is better. but yours still looks a lot deeper then mine.[/QUOTE]

Depending on where you live and who fitted your saddle might make the difference.

I sure hope you get it resolved because once you get one that fits right you will be extremely happy.

Feel free to pm me if you want…

[Sunnyhorse]

Echoing Wanderlust: Bertrand Pelletier, the company’s CEO, fitted my saddle, an SE02. He told me that it was the half-deep seat and referred to the SE01 as the “flat” model.

[wanderlust]

As promised, here is a (somewhat blurry) pic of my saddle. Much, much flatter than the photo posted by Doublesstable.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/12688411@N08/5406136183/

For reference, it is an SE01 with 17.5 seat and 3L flaps.

[BAC]

@wanderlust;5395000

As promised, here is a (somewhat blurry) pic of my saddle. Much, much flatter than the photo posted by Doublesstable.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/12688411@N08/5406136183/

For reference, it is an SE01 with 17.5 seat and 3L flaps.

That looks just like my SE01, its even the same size seat. Unfortunately I cannot see Doublesstable’s picture at all, it is a very dark blur on my monitor and I can barely make out a little bit of the flaps, can’t see the seat at all.

[doublesstable]

[QUOTE=wanderlust;5395000]
As promised, here is a (somewhat blurry) pic of my saddle. Much, much flatter than the photo posted by Doublesstable.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/12688411@N08/5406136183/

For reference, it is an SE01 with 17.5 seat and 3L flaps.[/QUOTE]

Is it a full calf? It does look a lot flatter and it doesn’t have the stitching (trim).

Now I am curious. I am going to call my rep today and ask… I also need more of their conditioner - that stuff is awesome!