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We're open Monday - Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm mountain time. No store in your area? Please call toll free to place an order, send us an email, or order online. 1-800-672-8459
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| Located
in Sheridan, Wyoming, below the beautiful Big Horn Mountains, Tom Balding
and his talented staff hand create each and every bit or spur sold throughout
the world. If you are in this neck of the woods, we invite you to stop
by, tour our workshop and say hello to our staff.
Print our map for easy local directions. |
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Tom & Juanita Balding  Tom's experience, paired with close consultation with the
nation's leading trainers and competitors makes, Tom Balding Bits and Spurs™ among
the most sought after in the world. His pieces are known for their precision
and flawless finishing. Built to stand up to the test of true cowboy work, yet
beautiful enough to be featured in museums and art galleries, including the
Smithsonian.  Tom is one of the few bit and spur makers who still crafts
everything by hand, start to finish, in the USA. Tom's Motto: "The worth of a
piece should be reckoned by the skill expended upon its design and manufacture
rather than by the opulence of its materials." Carl Fabergè -
1870.
Tom Balding moved to Wyoming in the early 1980's to find work as a ranch hand, bringing with him his considerable skills as a welder in the aerospace and sailboat industries. Soon after he began making bits and spurs, and is now one of the most respected and successful independent bit and spur makers in North America. In 1989, Tom married Sheridan native Juanita Hape, daughter of world-renowned saddle maker Chester Hape. Tom and Juanita live in a turn-of-the-century ranch house just outside of Sheridan on Praire Dog Creek and have three children - Christal, Eva Marie, and Chester. Juanita's talents blossom in the retail business. She started and runs the Tom Balding Bit and Spur gift shop located in Sheridan. Juanita is constantly seeking unique western gifts and finding innovative ways to reach the western collector. |
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Justin Massar Justin is originally from Sheridan, Montana, a small agricultural community in the southwest corner of the state. His wife, Kathleen, is from the Sheridan Wyoming area, and they moved back after living in various places in Montana for the first few years of their marriage.
Justin's responsibilities at Tom Balding Bits and Spurs include much of the finish work on the bits. The high polish and attractive brown or blue finish on the bit you purchase is due to Justin's skill and care. Justin also hand polishes the silver accents and maintains the steady supply of bit parts, including mouthpieces and shanks. If you ask Justin what he likes best about working for Tom Balding he'll say "Tom Balding," and the fact that Tom is so appreciative of quality work, production, and effort. Justin also holds a great appreciation for the bits and spurs he and his coworkers build. "A high quality of craftsmanship goes into every piece, and it creates a sense of pride to know that I can be a part of crafting such a quality product." Justin doesn't have a motto per say, but he asks himself with each bit "if I was buying this, what would I want it to look like?" |
Like
Sam, Justin likes Sheridan for the outdoor recreation aspects of the Big
Horn Mountain range. Most of his hobbies revolve around outdoor activities,
and the area is a virtual playground for sportsmen. Also important
to Justin and his wife are the friendly people of Sheridan and the fact
that the town is large enough to offer the convenience of a city but sustains
its small town charm. Justin loves horses, and really enjoys being
able to work at creating products for that industry. He works part-time
as a farrier, and enjoys riding his own horses.
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Kelli Verhelst  Originally
from Lodge Grass, MT, a rural town about an hour north of Sheridan, WY,
Kelli now lives in Ranchester, WY. Like many in the area, Kelli is
drawn to Sheridan for the beautiful Big Horn Mountains. Outside of
work you will most likely find Kelli spending her time away quietly roping
and working on the family ranch, a strong source of comfort and influence
in her life.
Being the wonderfully kind and capable person she is, Tom made her office manager. So when you call or e-mail Tom Balding Bits and Spurs it's usually Kelli who will answer your questions and guide you through your purchase of a fine Tom Balding product. Be assured she will handle your order with the utmost care. |
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Jim Smith  With
degrees in Tool and Die Design and Industrial Plastics Technology, Jim
practiced his trade for 20 years in his home state of Nebraska. In
1997, Jim and his wife Caren chose to move to Caren's home town, Sheridan.
Jim has two girls and two boys who still live in Nebraska.
Jim does many things at Tom Balding Bits and Spurs but primarily focuses on machining the components used in the bits and spurs, and he fabricates any new required tools. Expressing that it's the high level of quality that enables him to enjoy his job most, coupled with the fact that Tom pays a lot of attention to ergonomics and creature comforts makes for an enjoyable working environment. Jim's proud to be a part of this, by hand, quality process that he says is nearly non-existent in today's "mass production, throw away world." Jim and Caren enjoy skiing, traveling, gardening, cooking, football, their cats and working on an endless list of home improvements. Jim also enjoys archery, hunting and doing stained glass. |
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Leigh Vineyard  Leigh
grew up 30 minutes east of Hardin, Montana on a third generation cattle
/ wheat ranch. After high school she moved to Sheridan, where she
enrolled at the Sheridan Community College for 2 ½ years.
In 1999, she married Tyler Vineyard. Tyler is a Sheridan native,
he grew up on the historic PK ranch his grandfather owned, and now he manages
what is left of it. Tyler and Leigh enjoy their daughter Caytlen,
team roping, riding, and training the horses they raise from their herd
of fifty-five brood mares and four stallions.
Leigh's in charge of advertising, taking orders, updating the website, and greeting customers. And, working with the trainers that endorse Tom Balding bits and spurs. |
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