Pascal Olivier

Now we're talking! It sure is nice to get a conversation fired up. I had done a Hereford cow last winter, and from a big round I cut from the center of her back I braided a 70 foot reata, ( consistent thickness without hardly any splitting) from the sides I braided a couple of 5/8 bosals and swivel hondas (approximately 24 so far), and from the belly I got enough 1/8 lace for the nosebuttons and knots, and I braided up a quirt. The red 2-3 year old steer that I just rawhided will have to be approached very much the same way I think. It is not as consistent in thickness as I had hoped it would be. I guess that I would have to take small samples out of different areas of the hide to find out what all I can do with it. I may have to see if one of the neighbors will have a 700 pound calf to skin. Just as long as I don't have to do one of mine! P.S. One of these days I'll post some of my work up for you guys to see. Though it's not near the quality of workmanship as you all's yet. Thanks once again for talking. Pascal

Thanks guys. I really appreciate the the help and advice. It sure is nice to be able to talk to people who share the same ideas. Getting the right temper and splitting down the lace is a slow and painful process.

Just last week I rawhided a 2-3 year old steer. I cut a couple of straps around the hide to see if I would get some nice 1/8" lace for braiding. I was just wondering if anyone else would recommend if it would be better to cut several disks out of the hide instead (for splitting or thickness purposes). I'm trying to make the most of a hide from an animal of this age, before I go on and get another hide going.

Thank you everyone. I believe I got it figured out now. And yes, what I did mean was the number of strands to properly cover a core. What Bruce Grant says is a starting point, but a better job will be done if you are just a little more generous with your strings.

Hello everyone. I was just wondering, what is the best way in considering core size, strings, etc. for doing a good job for braiding bosals and such.

Thank you, everyone! And especially thanks to Jerry. Pascal

Hello everyone. Happy New Year. I was wondering what is the best way to handle your tamales while braiding a rawhide reata, for example. Thank you, Pascal

Hello everybody. Happy New Year. I've got a bunch of scrap garment types of leather. I've cut some into lace, but mostly I've just been skinning hides to rawhide. However, back to the leather. Bruce Grant had some sort of formula of using parrafin wax with white gas, I was wondering whether anyone had a better (safer) method all the using the parrafin wax with something other than white gas. You see, I ride for a feedlot up here in northern Alberta and I just can't hang it up to "dry" because we're at about a temperature of -45 celsius up here. Once again, Happy New Year! Pascal

Thank you very much Mike.

Hello. I'm new to this "chat" stuff, so please forgive me if I'm in the wrong place. The reason why I'm here is because I'm wondering what is the best way to finish up your rawhide braid once your done? Is pulling or rolling the way to get the job done best.