This bit features a spoon spade and lighter weight Santa Barbara cheeks with a filigree scroll pattern and sterling silver border. The reins are made by Kevin Willey and are 16-plait with a 20-plait romal and fancy buttons. The 20-plait single-ear headstall has fancy buttons of natural calf and coffee dyed strings.

GARY WIGGINS, Bitmaker, Brewster, Kansas
Gary Wiggins is a native Coloradan who moved over the border into Kansas in 2005. Gary started building bits and spurs back in the mid 90s, mainly because he couldn’t afford to buy them, and now is a full time bit and spur maker. In the last 10 years Gary has become more interested in engraving, and although not formally trained, he has had much support and help from some of the finest makers in the industry.

KEVIN WILLEY, Rawhide Braider, Faith, South Dakota
Braider Kevin Willey has worked on ranches all over the country but right now he runs Hereford cows in northwest South Dakota. Kevin’s rawhide comes from his own herd.

Photos by Jeremiah Watt