Richard Cielec wrote:
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> Design and durability question of the edge stitching - Contact with the thigh? Stitching wear and breakage? I assume that other than tasteful appearance, it functions to stiffen the edge.
The purpose of the edge stitching is to bind the thinned edge of the leather around a wire that runs the length of the lower edge of the saddle. The wire's function is to stiffen the saddle. There are many small differences between a B.17 Swallow and a B.15 Swallow. Quality of leather, method of joining the two sides together on the underside, etc., but only the B.17 Swallow and its more expensive brother the B.57 Swallow with it's aluminum and stainless steel frame have the wire reinforcement sewn into the edge.
I've been told that back in the day many B.17 Swallows were returned because they were found to be too stiff by the customer, who then exchanged it for a B.15 Swallow.
Chuck Schmidt South Pasadena, Southern California
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