![]() The big smile when he talks about the little cowboy is proof of that.īesides the gear he makes, Ed has other interests, stating “I love to go to brandings and ride a good horse,” adding, “This is still a saddle horse outfit. Grandson Kagan has commandeered one of Ed’s good saddle horses, though there isn’t evidence that grandpa minds at all. The grandkids, just like Justin and Nancy, will probably never have to put up with bad gear either. I’ll probably build these kids some saddles at least.” The subject of the unfinished saddle came up, and Lawrence explained that he was making that saddle for himself, and said, “I just always wanted to do it.” It’s his second one and he has really enjoyed working on it. “I look forward to the grandkids taking up more of the slack when they get bigger, so I can spend more time on this,” says Lawrence. The worst is not having enough time to work in his shop. I always think that my next one will be better.” He strives to keep improving and says, “I’ve never been to my best yet. The best part, according to Ed, is a satisfied customer. He clearly enjoys his craft, paging through multiple photo albums and remembering who each item was made for and even a story to go with the name.The variety of styles and designs are fascinating, some Ed’s ideas and some the customer’s. That doesn’t concern Ed, though, and it demonstrates what an unassuming craftsman that he is. “Some local people don’t know I do this,” says Lawrence, citing several times when someone stopped at a business in Alzada inquiring about the bit and spur maker and no one knew who they were talking about. He believes he has more of his bits and spurs in South Dakota than any other state, though. Bits and spurs plus#His spurs have been used by Tom Selleck in several movies, and calf roper Roy Cooper also uses a Lawrence bit, plus several top cowhorse trainers use his gear. ![]() ![]() But during calving and haying, he barely gets in the shop at all.īesides the area ranchers, Lawrence says that he has filled orders from 33 states and six foreign countries. Fall and winter he can get more hours in, with fall providing half and even whole days in the shop. The seasons on the ranch also dictate how much time he can devote to his shop. Christmas and calving season are when I get the most orders.” “I call that job security,” says Lawrence, adding, “You can tell the season by the orders. An order for a bit or spurs today would probably have an 18 month wait before delivery, but the ranchers and cowboys are patient, knowing that it will be worth the wait. Word of mouth has kept him busier than he could have imagined. Through some hard years on the ranch Lawrence says that making the bits and spurs “Kind of kept the wolf away from the door!” ![]() Very proud of their family, Ed has made something special for all of the grandkids, and it does his heart good to see them using it.įrom the beginning, Ed’s gear was functional, durable and attractive, so pretty quick, folks started asking him to make them something. Their daughter Nancy and her husband Doug Thorson live near Quinn, SD, and have three children, Grace, in college, Cassidy in high school, and Hannah, 5. The bits, buckles and spurs that Justin uses are all made by his dad. They are on the ranch with Ed and Mary, plus Justin is a well known cowhorse trainer who shows all over the west. ![]() Justin and his wife Kelcie, have two kids, Kagan, 6, and Dallie, 5. His wife Mary chuckled and said of their son, “Justin’s never had to work with bad tack! He’s always had the good stuff that Ed’s made.” The bit intrigued Lawrence, and he says, “I redid that bit and it took off from there.” He found that he really enjoyed working on that bit, so he started making some bits and spurs when he had a little time. In that bag was an old bit that was in pretty tough shape. In 1977, Ed was given a bag of miscellaneous gear from an old friend. Primarily a bit and spur maker, Lawrence also makes buckles and an occasional jewelry piece. A saddle on a stand is about half done, plus there are bridles and other gear waiting for repairs. His work benches evidence his craft, from bits and spurs to leather work. Tucked into the yard between the house and corrals is the workshop of Ed Lawrence. Hereford and black-baldy cows graze the spring grass, their calves sheltered from the wind by the trees and brush of the river bottom. Just south of the tiny town of Alzada, MT, lies the Lawrence Ranch nestled along the protected meadows of the Little Missouri River. Photo courtesy Ed LawrenceThis popular bit can be made with various mouth pieces, and is a favorite of Lawrence's. ![]()
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