OklahomaHorses Magazine March 2022

26 OklahomaHorses • March/April 2022 Branching Out Hole decided to up his game. “I took classes at GRS Tools & Training Center in Emporia, Kansas, in October 2021,” he said. “I gained all the knowledge I needed to make the metal parts of my custom saddles. The company offers classes and produces the equipment I use. They are the world’s premier engraving company. The idea is to start making the silver trim for my custom-built saddles. But it’s for my higher-end customers who want custom metalwork on the saddles I make them.” A gifted artist, Hole said his custom sil- ver trim “is the same concept as the leather tooling I do on my saddles. My metalwork is called bright cut western engraving. These custom-made metal pieces include the conchos, the corner plates, and any of the fancy metalwork on a saddle. I took the classes because I needed to learn how to use the tools and how to sharpen them. I sharpen my own tools.” Since the 1960s, GRS has exceeded customers’ needs and evolved into a global brand recognized for service, quality, and innovative solutions. The numerous GRS products include GraverMach AT, Grav- erMax G8, and BenchMate, and they are used on benches worldwide. In 1990, GRS opened a training center in Emporia, where people from all careers have access to state-of-the-art manufacturing equipment and learn hand engraving and stone setting from industry experts. Hole is using his new equipment to make jewelry. He posts his works in progress on so- cial media, and the pieces are sold before he can finish them. He began with earrings and is moving into bracelets, pendants, brooches, and rings, with the sky as the limit. “I talked to a local bit and spur maker,” Hole said. “I may fancy-engrave his items. I do scrollwork called Fibonacci spiral.” A Natural Talent Most of Hole’s saddle orders come by A floral design enriches this saddle made by “Doc”Hole. CHECK OUT OUR ONLINE CALENDAR www.oklahomahorsesmagazine.com Have an event to add? Email your details to Rowena Mills at hrmills444@yahoo.com.