Like many craftsmen, Buddy began by studying other people’s work and figuring out what they had done. He now teaches welding to high school students in Kermit, Texas making bits and spurs, belt buckles and jewelry in his spare time. Frank “Buddy” Knight made his first pair of spurs in his high school vocational agriculture class in Marfa, Texas, at the age of fourteen.

These are contemporary Texas-style spurs with sterling silver overlay, made of cold rolled steel, polished, and left to rust over time.īuddy Knight is a well-known blacksmith, cowboy, and silversmith. This belief has set a standard for a successful career, including founding membership in the distinguished Traditional Cowboy Arts Association. Although bits and spurs can be beautiful works of art, more importantly they need to be functional,” he explains. The cricket of the bit and the rowels in the spurs should sound good. “They need to be pleasing to the eye and smooth to the touch. Mark believes that silver mounted bits and spurs should appeal to as many of the senses as possible. He is largely self-taught, learning metalwork and silverwork through trial and error, and by studying the traditional gear of the Californios and buckaroos of the region. In the early 1980s Mark made the decision to become a silversmith, combining his skills as a welder with his fascination for silver-mounted bits and spurs. This valley continues to be home base for his family and work as a silversmith. Mark Dahl grew up in a ranching family in northeastern Nevada’s Starr Valley. This spoon-spade Santa Barbara bit is made of cold rolled steel and features engraved inlaid and overlaid sterling silver. Mark Dahl – Santa Barbara Bit, Deeth, Nevada He was the National Finals Senior Steer Roping Champion in 20, the 2002 Wendy Ryan Memorial Champion, and the 2002 World Champion Senior Steer Roper - thus his slogan “Made for Champions by Champions.” Robert, like his wife and son, is an exceptional horseman. In 1990, Robert’s son Leo was brought into the business, and together they have developed a style all their own.

By 1983, Robert was enjoying making bits and spurs far more than building fence, so he made the transition to full time silversmith. Before long, people started to take notice of his handmade bits and wanted a set for themselves. Robert used the metal working skills he had acquired building steel fence and made his own. Campbell’s Bits and Spurs got its start when a young Robert Campbell found himself short on cash and in need of some new bits. Robert Campbell made this pair of Texas-style spurs with overlaid and engraved silver, hinged flower-stamped spur strap buttons, and a browned finish. H - Footwear Size: Order your normal street shoe size unless otherwise specified.Tools of the Trade: Cowboy Chrome / Artists The following bit and spurmakers and their work are represented in the Western Folklife Center Contemporary Gear Collection. Fold one leg back and measure flat leg from crotch inseam down to bottom of pant. G - Inseam Size: Take a pair of pants that fit you well, lay flat with side seams together. Keep one finger between tape and body.į - Hip Size: Standing with feet together, measure around the fullest part of hips (usually 8' below waistline or at the bottom of zipper.) The measurement in inches is your neck size.Ĭ - Chest/Bust: Measure around the fullest part of your chest, under arms and across shoulder blades.ĭ - Sleeve length: Bend elbow up, measure from center of neck (back) to elbow and up to wrist.Į - Waist Size: For Belts - To determine your belt size, add 2' to your jean or slack size.įor Slacks/Jeans: Wrap the tape measure over a shirt (not slacks) around body at the height you usually wear jeans or slacks. A - Hat Size: Wrap a tape measure around your head about 1/2' above your ears and across forehead.ī - Neck Size: Take a shirt that fits you well, lay the collar flat and measure from the center of collar button to far end of collar button-hole.

Jr bits and spurs