Talk to me about your buffalo leather Antares...

[DraftHorsePower]

I need to trade in my Antares, it's looking a bit ragged and needs a new tree for the second time (not my fault once, my fault this time). But I have been tossing around the idea of the buffalo leather. Mine is calfskin and though I haven't had any problems to date (it's 5 years old) I would like something that's going to last longer/look nicer longer.

Specifically, I'd like to hear about break in time, feel, and smell (I was reading on an old thread that the buffalo smelled funky sometimes, did your Antares smell?). Also curious to see photos of YOUR buffalo saddle after being used/oiled and the color you got. I have the chocolate now and I love it, but I think the lighter brown will match new horsie/bridle/girth/breastplate better. The pictures on the site really leave a lot to be desired. Does the buffalo darken with oil differently?

Thanks in advance!

[rottngirl]

If you can get the buffalo, GO FOR IT!!

It is not as delicate feeling as the calf but I am betting it will last a lot longer.

The smell is wonderful, LOL. Nothing funky about it, just LEATHER.

I have been riding in mine for about six months but I took some down time after a painful fall. I would say it's breaking in slowly but surely.

The nap of the leather is really fabulous and unique so I have decided that I am going old-school and will forgo the use of conditioner in favor of just oiling it once or twice a year. The original tan color darkens up considerably with oil, in fact I requested mine with two coats of oil from the Antares NY HQ. I have

I will PM you with some pics!

[hasahorse]

I've only seen one in buffalo, and it was the ugliest thing I have ever seen. It was a dark chocolate/black color, and it seemed to get darker with oiling and break-in.
I am actually planning on selling my Antares as I have just tried a CWD (it has memory foam like the matresses) and am now in loff with it.

[BAC]

Lucassb had a full buffalo Antares as well as one with only a buffalo seat and knee rolls. They look ugly at first but the fuzziness disappears quickly and it starts to look more traditional, although not quite. They feel very grippy though and wear like iron. The appearance of it turned me off also but if you plan to ride in jeans at all then you should definitely consider buffalo. Never heard anything about them smelling strange though.

[Renn/aissance]

I thought the thing was ugly as sin. I'll take buffalo leather as long as it doesn't look like suede all over, but the Antares one, I wouldn't take out in public.

[BAC]

I thought the thing was ugly as sin. I'll take buffalo leather as long as it doesn't look like suede all over, but the Antares one, I wouldn't take out in public.

:lol: I felt the same way, but I think Lucassb's Antares was much more attractive than a friend's Devocoux buffalo, that one looked so dried out once the fuzziness was gone (even though she is obsessive about caring for it). Still, since I always ride in breeches I would go with just a buffalo seat and get the rest of the saddle in grain leather.

[Renn/aissance]

:lol: I felt the same way, but I think Lucassb's Antares was much more attractive than a friend's Devocoux buffalo, that one looked so dried out once the fuzziness was gone (even though she is obsessive about caring for it). Still, since I always ride in breeches I would go with just a buffalo seat and get the rest of the saddle in grain leather.

It's interesting that you mention that as I have never noticed that about my trainer's or friend's buffalo Devoucoux (both of which I lust after. :lol: )

[hype]

Loved our Buffalo Antares. The suede look disappears in time. We had the lighter brown color not the chocolate color. Really couldn't tell it was not calf after a little bit except it wears so much better. Very grippy and a really nice leather. Wouldn't hesitate to do it again. Most comfy saddle I've ever sat in.

[toomanyponies]

too sticky. . .

[hunter-jumper-rider]

TIP: If you use the Antares conditioner and not just the oil, buffalo will look just like calfskin and loses the weird fuzzy suede type look......it also darkens it up to a gorgeous dark reddish havana ;)

[DraftHorsePower]

too sticky. . .

That is a good thing in my book! :D rottngrl sent me some pics and although I can see how the fuzzy might be odd at first, I do think I'm going to go that route, but definitely the light brown.

Thanks guys!

[DraftHorsePower]

TIP: If you use the Antares conditioner and not just the oil, buffalo will look just like calfskin and loses the weird fuzzy suede type look......it also darkens it up to a gorgeous dark reddish havana ;)

Good tip! Thank you! :)