So maybe this is a silly question BUT I just bought a new saddle (came in the mail yesterday) and it came with a nameplate with the previous owner’s name on it. I’ve never had a nameplate on any tack before besides a halter, but I like the way it looks. I am wondering if I can simply “reuse” the plate by getting my name engraved on the other side? This would save me trying to find a plate with the same holes and some (minimal) cost. Is it possible?
No. They are not engraveable on both sides and are pretty cheap anyway. I like the ones from haltertags.com which run around $10.
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Uh NO…either leave it and ride under an alias or spend the little bit to get one with your name on it…really should be pretty simple to find.
Can anyone tell me WHY? I’m totally not opposed to buying a new one, I just don’t completely understand why one can’t “reuse” them. Like I said, a silly question but it’s something I have little experience with!
Because they are typically pretty thin and not thick enough to be engraved on both sides.
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Most of them are not thick enough to engrave on both sides. Often the underside is rougher/ unfinished too. Sometimes they are a bit bent just from being on the curved saddle cantle. And it is unlikely to save any money since a tack store likely won’t do it so you’ll need a jeweler or trophy store. It’s almost always cheaper to buy stuff like this pre engraved since the cost of the plate is minimal.
For one thing, you’ll have to clip the nails off the back side of the plate if you want to engrave that side and have it showing. That will leave you with the stubs or marks where the old nails were, then you will have to reattach the nails to the other side (the old front side), that’s going to be a bit tricky since the nails are tiny. You will likely ruin the outer finish reheating it to solder nails. Additionally, as mentioned, they plates are thin, engraving on the back may well go thru to the engraving that was on the front.
Seems a lot of hassle for a nameplate, they are cheap, its easy enough to find one that will fit, they are, for the most part fairly standard.
Thank you for all that explanation! I had a feeling it was because they were too thin but wasn’t sure.
I’ve never seen a plate that had nails or screws permanently attached. Haltertags will make a plate to fit the dent and the holes you have. Their plates are gorgeous. They have silver as well as brass.
Most plates are not truly engraved now. They are more like lightly scratched with a laser. Haltertags’ are definitely engraved.
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You are right! Had completely forgotten there are just holes that you tap the nails thru. Shows how long it’s been since I’ve put a name plate on. :o
Great to hear about Halter Tags as they are the site I had pulled up to order from!
Be really cautious when removing the old plate as it could be glued to the leather.
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