Sawbuck and Decker Pack Saddle Differences

Some differences between a Sawbuck and Decker Pack Saddle are obvious. A Sawbuck Pack Saddle has wooden crossbucks instead of metal hoops. A Sawbuck Pack Saddle lacks the half-breed – the padded canvas cover with pack boards of the Decker Pack Saddle. And lastly, most Sawbucks are “double rigged”, using either a Sawbuck double pack cinch or two single pack cinches instead of one like the Decker Pack Saddle. Some packers cite this as an advantage for the sawbuck, saying it stabilizes the load and better distributes the friction around the animal’s belly.

However, some differences may not be quite so clear, but are important to consider when choosing between the two. The Decker Pack Saddle is stronger than the Sawbuck, mostly because of the metal hoops. The crossbucks of a Sawbuck, being made of wood, are more likely to break if a mule falls or rolls on them. The Decker Pack Saddle will often better survive a wreck.

Another advantage of the Decker Pack Saddle is rigging position. The rigging on a Decker Pack Saddle buckles to the tree beneath the half-breed and is easily adjustable over a wide range, allowing you to adjust the position of the Decker Pack Cinch and prevent soring of your pack stock. The rigging of Sawbuck Pack Saddle is screwed or riveted to the tree and cannot be as easily adjusted.

Decker Pack Saddles are better suited to heavier loads because of the half-breed with pack boards. The pack boards help distribute the weight of your load, whether mantied or packed in panniers, more broadly along the animal's side. Additionally, the lower portion of the half-breed behind the pack boards is typically padded, thus providing greater comfort and protection from the load for your pack animal.

Decker hooks are another benefit to using the Decker Pack Saddle. Decker hooks are typically made of brass and are used in sets of four. These hooks thread onto the pannier hanger straps and can then be hooked to the hoops on your Decker pack saddle. With Decker hooks you can attach panniers more quickly and you won’t have to lift the panniers as high or for as long.

Mainly because of the half-breed and to some extent, the Duplex-grade stainless steel hoops, a fully rigged Decker Pack Saddle will be heavier than the Sawbuck, weighing in around 30 pounds. A Sawbuck will weigh only 18-20 pounds.

A Pack Saddle is a simple enough piece of equipment that you should be able to easily determine one that is well-made. The bars of the tree should be softwood and should fit your animal without gouging or excessive rocking. The hoops on the Decker Pack Saddle should be either steel or brass and should be attached with bolts or rivets. The rigging should be of quality heavy harness leather.

Don’t be intimidated by the task of judging leather. Leather quality is most often the difference between a good saddle and a cheap saddle. Good leather will feel good. It will be supple, smooth and heavy, and it will have a uniform thickness. Avoid dry leather or leather that creases or cracks when you fold it. Good leather doesn’t need to be dressed up. Trust your impulse. If it feels good to you, it probably is.

Inexpensive Decker Pack Saddles and Sawbucks sometimes substitute canvas, neoprene or nylon for leather. We believe leather harness is superior to any of these. Well dressed leather offers a combination of durability and flexibility under all conditions and temperatures that these substitutes can’t match. Also, because it retains some of the characteristics of living skin, leather is one of the few materials that is compatible over long periods with the moving, sweating hide of a mule or horses. If you doubt this, consider why plastic shoes have never caught on among humans.

From “Packin' In on Horses and Mules”, Elser and Brown, 1980.

Would you like to go shopping?
Sawbuck Pack Saddle
Classic Decker Pack Saddle
TrailMax Decker Pack Saddle
Books on Packing
Pack Pads

Need more information? See also:
Decker Pack Saddles
Sawbuck Pack Saddles
History of the Decker and Sawbuck Pack Saddles
Russ On... Choosing a Pack Pad