Dave Clowes (Bonanza) is a western saddle maker and the owner of Dave's Saddle and Tack in Bonanza. After learning to repair saddles, Clowes easily made the step to crafting his own, which he now sells alongside other western items in his shop.
Bio
Dave Clowes is a western saddle maker and the owner of Dave's Saddle and Tack in Bonanza. Clowes, born and reared in Long Island, New York, moved to California, where he worked at Al Grundman’s family business, a saddle repair, gunsmithing, and sporting goods store. Grundeman taught Clowes leatherworking and saddle repair. Once he learned to make or repair each individual piece of a saddle, Clowes decided he was ready to create one himself. According to Clowes, basic saddle making is fairly simple, though different types require specialized skills. He starts with two sides of leather. Then, he explains, you “cut all your parts, get them wet, slap them on the tree [the supportive structure for a saddle], and cut away everything that doesn't look right.” Over time, Clowes has cut down on the number of saddles he makes in a year. He especially enjoys advising and conversing with the customers who come into his shop, where they can purchase a variety of western items, including hats, ropes, blankets, and, of course, saddles.
