Ken Howard Saddler And Harness Maker

From The Film Australia Collection. Made by Film Australia 1982. Directed by Daro Gunzberg. In an interview with Daro Gunzberg, Ken Howard talks about his life and work as a saddler. Born in England in 1913 he began his career in 1929 as a harness maker, but when this profession suffered a blow with the advent of cars and he was forced to diversify his craft into variety of leather goods. He emigrated to South Australia after World War Two and is one of the few remaining craftsmen in the art of saddlery, using old traditional methods in preference to new technological innovations.

[@petercastles5978]

I went to Adelaide in 1982, met Ken and had a great old yarn with him. That plough gauge he was using was his 21st birthday present from his parents, and cost a Guinea, (21 shillings) . Met Bill Bagnall at Fouright, also Jeff Freeman seen in the film colouring the saddle trees. Jeff has only retired these last few years.

[@taggieification]

one of the best videos on the trade I've ever watched. Mr Howard explains everything beautifully.

[@NFSAFilms]

Glad you liked it!

[@ellestclair8537]

I knew Mr Howard. Spent many hours in his workshop as a child. The smell of leather and tobacco always reminds me of him.

[@andrewbarra8087]

Drum tobacco was his weed of choice.

[@Montana_horseman]

It's great to see someone who cares about his work, the rider and the horse. These guys still exist, one lives right down the road from me. Very enjoyable video.

[@thornwarbler]

Little gem that...........................Thanks

[@danrobinson572]

Great video!!!

[@chrisbevan6390]

a delightfull insight to a little known bygone industry and a past attitude towards workmanship

[@basstrammel1322]

It's insane that all saddlers and blacksmiths and carriage drivers lost their job in just 20 years (a damn lot of them), and they found a new way to take care of them selves. It was most of the population working in that field for over 2000 years, then the combustion engine and Ford hijacked the whole operation.

[@danrobinson572]

When did Ken Howard pass away or his he still alive??

[@andrewbarra8087]

1989

[@danrobinson572]

@@andrewbarra8087 okay 👍 and how did he die?