November 30, 2022

Saddle craftsman from Keene inducted into Hall of Fame

Saddle craftsman from Keene inducted into Hall of Fame

Kristen Jones
Farmer Staff Writer

Dave Dahl, born and raised in Keene, N.D., has been inducted into the Casey Tibbs Foundation/South Dakota Rodeo Center Wall of Fame. This adds to his long list of achievements, which include induction into the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame.
Dahl is a world-famous saddle maker who has become known for his unique style of making bronc saddles. He began making saddles in 1974, when he decided to make a saddle for his brother. Since then he has made saddles full-time, with customers as far away as Australia.
Dahl said saddle making is a job he loves, but “there are easier ways to make a living. If you want to be good, if you want to be competitive, it is a very demanding job.”
Dahl has worked on ranches in North Dakota, spent time in the oil field, and taught middle school for three years. He said that his leatherworking shop is by far the best working conditions he’s had and he jokingly said, “People say that it’s the best smelling of the jobs I’ve had, but I have been working with the leather so long I guess I’ve gotten used to it. Other people seem to really like it though, you know, when I go by smelling like leather.”

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