Has anyone got one? I heard he was an alternative to Jay Shuttleworth, but have never seen one.
From what I’ve understood, he’s the real maker of Shuttleworth’s bits.
Wow, yes I have a full cheek snaffle with a sweet iron mouth piece with some inlaid copper stripping. Very attractive bit. I think I have had it for over 20 years but never really used it. It sits in my collection.
LOL I always wondered what that word on my custom happy mouth big D was! (And yes, it’s a fine bit)
Maheu
To set the record straight - Maheu is the WELDER of Jay’s bits. The ideas and designs (of the English bits - Maheu does make Western bits) are Jay’s, and Maheu does not know what the bits accomplish. Besides the cost of producing the bits, people are paying for Jay’s knowledge and advice about which bit works for what. There are people out there trying to copy him and in one instance they sold a bit and put it on backwards for the customer. It’s also pretty sneaky to take someone’s ideas and try to pawn them off as their own.
Like it or not, it’s called “life in the real world”. It’s why you have more than one touch screen phone option out there and a million different choices in a million different products. First to market doesn’t mean it’s an exclusive race… What’s wrong is to violate trademarks and patents.
[QUOTE=DMK;5387285]
LOL I always wondered what that word on my custom happy mouth big D was! (And yes, it’s a fine bit)[/QUOTE]
Haha me too! 
[QUOTE=Zamiro;6006719]
To set the record straight - Maheu is the WELDER of Jay’s bits. The ideas and designs (of the English bits - Maheu does make Western bits) are Jay’s…[/QUOTE]
So Maheu’s are “knockoff” Shuttleworth bits? 
I’ve got a 20+ year old Maheu bit that has had sporadic heavy use. Really like the bit and still looks perfect after all these years.
I have a couple of Maheu western bits. Sadly, no horses broke to ride in them right now, but beautiful and beautifully balanced bits.
That’s partially true…
[QUOTE=Zamiro;6006719]
To set the record straight - Maheu is the WELDER of Jay’s bits. The ideas and designs (of the English bits - Maheu does make Western bits) are Jay’s, and Maheu does not know what the bits accomplish. Besides the cost of producing the bits, people are paying for Jay’s knowledge and advice about which bit works for what. There are people out there trying to copy him and in one instance they sold a bit and put it on backwards for the customer. It’s also pretty sneaky to take someone’s ideas and try to pawn them off as their own.[/QUOTE]
Ray was the builder of Jays blanks about a decade ago but that relationship ceased many years back. After the separation Jay had his own foundry, as does Ray Maheu now. If you want to know the difference in the bits, timing, and who “made” them, Jay or Ray, you need to look at the stamp size. The large stamps were when he was working with Maheu, and the smaller JKS stamp is when he was on his own.
As of this moment, Jay Shuttleworth has ceased making bits. Ray Maheu still is the largest custom bit maker in the USA and does a very fine job to create well crafted, beautiful, and effective bits.
I think that www.Equusport.com has the largest selection of Maheu Custom Bits and the last remaining JKS bits. Brad specializes in being able to recreate most discontinued bits out there which is really helpful for those of us that have been bits we love and don’t want to part with!
[QUOTE=kisstherain;6007168]
So Maheu’s are “knockoff” Shuttleworth bits?
I’ve got a 20+ year old Maheu bit that has had sporadic heavy use. Really like the bit and still looks perfect after all these years.[/QUOTE]
No, they are not “knock-off” they once worked together. See my reply above
