describe the perfect moisture for braiding rawhide

[rgerbitz]

This is great. There isn't to my knowledge anyone with in 200 miles of me working with rawhide. I've read the encylepidia of braiding and a few other books from cover to cover, my encyclepedia while only years old is starting to show some use. I have also watched Neubert's video alot. But some things really just need a discussion. Thank you all for participating.

Can anyone discribe what the perfect moisture for braiding feels or looks like. And for projects that take a while what are some good ways for maintaining that perfect moisture.

There is a choice you have to make, in everything you do. And you must always keep in mind the choice you make, makes you. (Anonymous)

[HorsehairBraider]

Well, for me personally, I like it when it feels cool but is not slippery. It seems to me it gets slippery when it is too wet and is almost hard to grab and pull.

I don't know if this is right, but I have always wrapped it in a damp towel to keep it good over several days - but I try to do all the work at once. I use a spray bottle on the towel now and then.

Do you have any pictures of your work to share?

[Alan Bell]

Perfect moisture content in rawhide is relative. It all depends on the thickness and width of the strand with thickness taking a greater portion. If it is too wet for the thickness then it will stretch when braiding AND shrink when drying leaving gaps. Also there is th chance that when smoothing the braid you might scrunch things up a bit. For a reata type string setting in water for a few minutes and then casing in a sack for a few hours may be in order. For a strand of 3/32 or less then the moisture from your mouth might be enough to braid your project. Saddle soap and/or rawhide cream help regulate the moisture while braiding. I'd have to say if there is just enough moisture to easily braid the project then that is just right. with just enough moisture you will probably have to re-wet as you go along and a spray bottle is OK for that and then some more soap or cream to even out the moisture. When spraying there is a "time" in there to allow the moisture to soak in a bit. Sometimes it is merely 2 sec. Experience teaches. On fine strings sometimes you can wet the project by licking the strands or running them through your mouth (been done that way for thousands of years) Saliva seems to penetrate more evenly and quicker and works much better than water. If you tend to have dry hands factor that in. So I guess the "perfect" amount of moisture has the string where it is flexible enough to bend but not flexible enough to stretch! Hope this helps!

Vaya Con Dios, Alan Bell

Children get your culture. And don't stand there and gesture. Or the battle will get hotter and you won't get no supper!

Bob Marley - Natty Dread

[rawhide1]

Well I soak my strings in water the time is dependent on the thickness of strings. I then put them in a plastic bag and stick them in the fridge until the feel is right. Not to stiff not to spongey. I then rub them down real good with rawhide creme and start to braiding. And I'm slower than the seven year itch so my strings are gonna dry out. If I'm using thin strings out of calf running them through my mouth seems to work great anything thicker than that I'll just get my hand wet in a bowl of water and run my hand down the strings. Sometimes I have to wait a couple of seconds or a couple of minutes for the moisture get right. I may have to try the spray bottle and paper towels in the future. I've gotten tired of waiting on the local high school to make me a string cutter so I ordered one from Bryan Neubert yesterday(thanks Spencer G ) while on the phone with him he tells me another way to case rawhide is to fill a bucket with water and place a screen on top of the bucket and put the bucket in a big trash can then place your rawhide on the screen and put the lid on the trash can and keep it in cool place.He says this work great and ya can keep your rawhide in there for sometime.As a side note Mr. Neubert is one heck of a nice fella and answered a whole lot of questions I had. Mike

[Alan Bell]

I forgot to mention the humidifier! But it is also dependent on your local humidity. It works a lot better for folks in a arid region then for someone in say south Florida! And yes, Bryan Neubert is one heck of a nice fellow.

Vaya Con Dios, Alan Bell

I know JAH will never let us down

Bob Marley - One Drop

[Opagon]

I usually only prep what I am going to need for the day. Depending on the width of the string, I soak the rawhide in just warm water then place it in a large dry plastic bag or tupperware and let it sit. I like them firm but flexible and had to do some experimenting to get things right. I also stick my left over strings that are ready for braiding but dont have a home in the freezer until I need them. I found one bag that was four months old and after letting it thaw it was ready to braid without much wait time. If I can get myself into the habit I think this might be my new system. While braiding I use the string in mouth system for the tiny strings and have a shavers brush, bowl of water and soap mixture for the rest. I havent yet tried my hands on a big project like romals yet but feel that if I can keep my fingers moving efficiently that my system "should" work...

Heather