Muggs
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- Canuckistan
A great history lesson on saddle development by Don Blair, from Blair Glenn's youtube channel:
Don Blair talks saddles, 1984
- Thread starter Muggs
- Start date
- Location
- Chardon, OH
@Muggs - Thank you Sir !
I liked seeing the old Bry-Dan harness he showed. I spent a lot of years in one and what a great harness it was. The waist belt and each leg loop were made from continuous 1.5" mil spec webbing. Ultra strong!
That white webbing loop on the left side was to prevent the adjustable knot from kinking the cable-cored flip-line. It worked great.
That white webbing loop on the left side was to prevent the adjustable knot from kinking the cable-cored flip-line. It worked great.
evo
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- My Island, WA
My last employer bought his saddle directly from Don Blair and continuously used it to date (doesn't do much climbing). How it's set up is not in the video but its very close to the two piece saddle with the separate belt and leg loops.
The differences are the the leg loop section has two captured dee's, and he wears it where the waist buckle goes thought these dee's as well making it one complete unit. The back pad is more robust, and the leg loops also have pads. Early on I didn't feel comfortable with the look of the tattered well loved saddle, but it is safe as the life support belt is replaced by taking a nubuck belt out of a cheap linemans belt and all steel life support are captured though the belt.
45+ years of use!
The differences are the the leg loop section has two captured dee's, and he wears it where the waist buckle goes thought these dee's as well making it one complete unit. The back pad is more robust, and the leg loops also have pads. Early on I didn't feel comfortable with the look of the tattered well loved saddle, but it is safe as the life support belt is replaced by taking a nubuck belt out of a cheap linemans belt and all steel life support are captured though the belt.
45+ years of use!
Merle Nelson
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- SF Bay Area, CA
Don was going to make an upgraded version of the Bry-Dan with rated suspension also at your back for crane work etc. Anyone know if that was ever completed and certified?
Muggs
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- Canuckistan
He made a 40th anniversary edition in 2009:
Also check out this new article from Woodenhand on the history of harness design, which is what reminded me of this video of Don...
www.thewoodenhand.com
@SoftBankHawks
.
Also check out this new article from Woodenhand on the history of harness design, which is what reminded me of this video of Don...
History Lesson Pt. 1 — Wooden Hand
www.thewoodenhand.com
@SoftBankHawks
.
Last edited:
Merle Nelson
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- SF Bay Area, CA
Thanks Muggs.
TreeCo
Carpal tunnel level member
I believe I first met Don in 1989 at a Penn-Del meeting in Lancaster PA.
It's where I picked up my first Hobbs Lowering Device.
He had it on display and had written my name on it with a black magic marker.
That's one way to get on his good side!
To say that Don is an icon in our industry is an understatement.
It's where I picked up my first Hobbs Lowering Device.
He had it on display and had written my name on it with a black magic marker.
That's one way to get on his good side!
To say that Don is an icon in our industry is an understatement.
Makes you feel like a whiner for complaining about anything on a modern saddle. Did you hear his cell phone go off mid-video with the vintage ring tone? 
Amazing to see how leg loops was a tentative eureka moment amongst the various saddles. I think they're considered essential life support now. Suspender chest strap - check mark.
Amazing to see how leg loops was a tentative eureka moment amongst the various saddles. I think they're considered essential life support now. Suspender chest strap - check mark.
I have ridden this version of the Brydan (made by Weaver I believe), and I can say that it is one kick-ass saddle for big removals and supports as big saw as well as any saddle I have flown. I was recently looking at some work in the area so I swung by Webbs Farm down in the Santa Cruz Mountains and he had a few Blair Ultralights in stock. Old man Webb and Don have been friends for many years, and when I asked he said Don was doing well.He made a 40th anniversary edition in 2009:
View attachment 85955
Also check out this new article from Woodenhand on the history of harness design, which is what reminded me of this video of Don...
History Lesson Pt. 1 — Wooden Hand
@SoftBankHawks
.
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chris_girard
Branched out member
- Location
- Gilmanton, N.H.
My good friend and mentor Don Blair is indeed doing very well, and we stay constantly in touch with each other, sharing ideas and generally just chatting. Don is a very smart man and tends to stay off the tree care forum boards, though like a lot of us, he has recently in the last few years, fallen down the rabbit hole, otherwise known as Facebook.
I was one of the first back in 2009 to purchase a Bry-Dan2 saddle and still wear it to this day. It's worn in, but as good as new. You certainly cannot get that many years of use out of those so-called "modern saddles" these days!
Merle, you asked about the red loop on the back of the saddle/harness being a rated suspension point. The first few Bry-Dan2 saddles that Don put out, were indeed going to be used so that climbers could either transfer from an aerial lift to a tree and back without having to change from a body belt back into a tree saddle.
Unfortunately, he was not satisfied with the load testing on them (from what I remember him telling me), so he cut off the top red loop on the saddles that he still has at the Sierra Moreno store in Maryland. Not sure where it stands on getting the drop test rating that Don and others will be happy with.
Did you guys happen to read my Legends article about Don back in the Nov 2024 TCI Magazine, right before the Expo down in Maryland? I will put up a post about Don here soon.
I was one of the first back in 2009 to purchase a Bry-Dan2 saddle and still wear it to this day. It's worn in, but as good as new. You certainly cannot get that many years of use out of those so-called "modern saddles" these days!
Merle, you asked about the red loop on the back of the saddle/harness being a rated suspension point. The first few Bry-Dan2 saddles that Don put out, were indeed going to be used so that climbers could either transfer from an aerial lift to a tree and back without having to change from a body belt back into a tree saddle.
Unfortunately, he was not satisfied with the load testing on them (from what I remember him telling me), so he cut off the top red loop on the saddles that he still has at the Sierra Moreno store in Maryland. Not sure where it stands on getting the drop test rating that Don and others will be happy with.
Did you guys happen to read my Legends article about Don back in the Nov 2024 TCI Magazine, right before the Expo down in Maryland? I will put up a post about Don here soon.
Bendroctanus
Carpal tunnel level member
- Location
- Springfield
All you need to cowboy the trees…
- Location
- Retired in Minneapolis
My back has fond memories of that sadddle. It was my first proper tree saddle. Changed my game in big ways
- Location
- Retired in Minneapolis
At about the same time I upgraded my spikes. I settled on Buckingham steel, twisted shank, two inch SD pikes. Stiff nylon foot strap. Top pads are wide black Velcros. The Velcro is still working just fine
When I got to the ground I would usually get away from the drop zone. Dust off sawdust before opening the Velcro. When I take off a spike the Velcro is immediately sealed back on to keep it clean. Then they go in their stuff sack. There is still plenty of spirit left in them
When I got to the ground I would usually get away from the drop zone. Dust off sawdust before opening the Velcro. When I take off a spike the Velcro is immediately sealed back on to keep it clean. Then they go in their stuff sack. There is still plenty of spirit left in them
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