ljensen

I used this recipe last time I made some with a couple minor variations. I added a small amount of olive oil after the lard. Once everything was dissolved I removed it from the stove and poured into a large mixing bowl. I used the handheld mixer and whipped it two times while it was cooling. The mixture will expand the more it is mixed. Before it set, I poured it into two large plastic containers. This has the same feel and texture as the store bought "Vaquero Rawhide Cream".

Thanks for sharing the pictures and some of your tips. I really like the looks of the quirt. I will have to try the pressure washer some day.

That's a great idea.

Very nice as usual. What was your string width?

I would second the thought about using paracord to practice. When I started out, I would practice braiding or tying buttons at night with the paracord. It really helps to understand the basics and also see the patterns or designs.

Thanks Brian. I have the hardest time getting two ring knots to look the same. The nose button really needed an interweave on both ends as there was a little gap between the strings. I couldn't figure out an interweave for the gaucho and I wanted to complete the whole process, so I let it slide as a learning experience. I sure sweated the heel knot since I ended up with no extra length from the foundation string. I had to go back and re-tighten the foundation to gain enough length to finish the last pass. I have certainly left room for improvement, but it sure was fun and there were some great moments.

I finished my first bosal and thought I would share. It was a great learning opportunity and I had some Ah-hah moments during the process. Some of the things that I need practice on are the nosebuttons and interweaves on the heel knots. I followed Alan's bosal tutorial for the nose button and referred to Grant's book for the turnback. Somehow I zigged instead of zag because I ended up doing a gaucho instead of the pineapple. I apologize for the picture quality, I snapped them with the phone last night.

I wanted to say thanks to Alan for taking the time to create this tutorial. I finished my first bosal over the weekend and I sure did a lot of referring back to this tutorial throughout the process. Thanks again, Logan

That looks great. Your work is amazing.

Thanks for sharing. That is a head scratcher.

Looks nice.

Do you have a picture of the one you have? It would be neat to see. I was experimenting over the weekend and came up with this honda. It has some weight to it and should sail if my arm doesn't get tired. I'm going to do another on with one less wrap.

It looks good from the pictures. I like the blue and white lace.

During the Elko Poetry Gathering, they are doing a 4 day braiding workshop. I'm trying to drop enough hints to my sweetie so that I can attend. http://www.westernfolklife.org/National-Cowboy-Poetry-Gathering-Programs/workshops-and-special-programs.html

For a while now, I have been wanting to build a bosal, but the nose button has given me problems. Recently I finally had the time to sit down and study it with the help of Alan's pictures. I started practicing with paracord and a thick cotton rope as the body. After tying it several times, I am comfortable enough to pull out the rawhide. I have continued through the process with the practice bosal with the thoughts of using it for training colts. I took a picture last night after I had started working on the heel knot foundation. I had left the core in the paracord so that is why there appears to be a couple gaps in the nose button. Thanks again to Alan for taking the time to explain his process of building the bosal.