KnotHead

Thank you Tracy and Peter. Just so everyone knows this. I did not invent this technique. As far as I can tell by my limited research, this technique may have been around in history somewhere. I know that in one of my Argentine books that one braider had done some infused braids, or the combining of two or three different braids along the same type of guide lines as I used here. Not the same. But darn close. Brian...

The fid work styled finish is just a back braid sort of. You would actually extend the strands down in a 45 degree helix and lash that off and then build you finishing knot from all the strands. It would be considered a very short fid work knot, or a multi-stranded knot. You would actually get 8 strands on both front and back for a total of 16 strands all together. It is the same method I used on the red and black leash. Thanks all for the very kind comments. I will say that this braiding technique is not my own invention. I however, have not seen any type of instructions for it anywhere as of yet, or in any book that I know of. I could be wrong on that. But, with that in mind. I may just have re-discovered something done in the past and just brought it out today. Who knows. LOL... Brian...

This probably wont show you exact details. But will give you the idea of what to do. I'll try to explain what I did as I go with the photos. Taking 2 strands and dividing them in half to create a 4 strand round braid on both left and right hand sides in order to bring them to the center. You can of course make these as long as you wish. As you can see by the photo the individual braids came together in the center. This will now give you 16 strands to work with. From this point any pattern can be created to braid down for covering back braids. As you can see from this shot I have created the pattern I want to use. At this point the braiding is just like braiding around a core. As I braid down, I am watching the back side as well. Checking to be sure that the braid is lining up and closing up so that there are no gaps in the braid. You can finish this type of braiding off by 2 methods. Employ the Fid work style finish. Make a knot that will cover the ends. Much of this braiding style was figured out and done by trial and error and lots of frustration. But it has been well worth the time and effort. I believe that this adds another touch of dimension to your skill sets as a braider and also adds dimension to your actual projects. It might take a little longer to do this. But the outcome is worth it at least I think so. Brian...

I've re-attached the photos with one extra leash I did for my then boss. I have the layout photos somewhere on my other PC. I just have to locate them. Brian...

Following a grid is just like keeping the colors you use in a coloring book inside the lines, or building a train track and putting the train on the track, or placing a hot wheel on a rubber/plastic track and pushing it down the track, or even better; doing a dot to dot drawing like in the old dot to dot booklets. Just wrap the grid around a postal tube, or toilet paper tube and then follow the lines from one point to the other. Brian...

Mike. Yes I will be putting his tutorials back up. He had a lot of tutorials. I will take a bit to re-post them. Brian...

It's back up but not fully done yet. B...

I usually will get around 50 to 60 yrds. Spool bought only comes in 25yrd spools. B...

I have all of Tom Hall's books. The I refer back to for reference the most is, Introduction to Turk's Head Knots which can be found at this web address http://www.ubraidit.com/supplies-detail.php?item=41... I find that his illustrative instructions are much easier to follow. But that's just me and my opinion. I don't know where you are located, or I would suggest some help as you have mentioned. Brian...

Looks like a rather large gaucho knot. You will be able to find the idea of it in Ron Edwards book Advanced Leatherwork Vol. 2 Round Knots and Braids. That can be found at the Ramskull Press. The price seems to have gone down since I bought mine about 7yrs ago. Here's the link; http://ramsskullpress.com/products-page/leatherwork/141-2/ B...

Thanks HorsehairBraider. Maybe one day when I'm rich enough to buy the silver... LOL... Brian...

bucksnort. I don't have the equipment, or the know how to do the silver yet. I just wanted simple this year. Thanks megabit. Brian...

Entiendo. I have no idea which end you're trying to close up. But either way you go you'll need a nested bight knot. This allows for 4,6,8 bight knots to close up. Much like a globe knot does. I have included a grid image example below to show you what I mean by nested bights. The above grid is just an example knot. This is not one to be tied. Brian...

Thank you to all for the very kind comments and happy b-day's. Brian...

My b-day present to myself. 4 strand round flattened. Size 17.5 inches with .925 sterling silver around a piece of turquoise. B...

Most of the pre-cut lace depending on where you buy it, is either already stretched or is not stretched at all. I have found in my earlier days that spool bought lace has this inconsistency that you speak of on a regular basis. This would be spool bought lace from places like Tandy Leather. This would be the chief cause of your inconsistent pattern along with one more thing that COULD be the issue also, that would be inconsistent tension while braiding. A heavy hand mixed with a light hand will produce inconsistent braiding. You should not have to stretch your pre-cut lace at all if you buy it from a factory outlet like Tandy Leather. They've already either done the stretching or they have not due to the lace that is being used. Brian...

Sorry it takes me a bit to get to all the places I visit and post at. Essentially, this braid is just a round braid flattened out and rolled on the preferred surface of your choice. The sequence goes like so, Under 2, Over 1, Under 1, Over 2 - will equal a 12 strand You can even just do a regular 12 strand braid, Under 2, Over 2, Under 2. Hope this helps. Brian...

You're welcome. Brian...

Here's a video from youtube. Bernie46 gives a vid on how to make your home made beveler. By the way, you're on the right track. Just a 4 strand round braid with NO core should do the job quite well. Remember, don't over think the project, or over do the project. This should also help you with a turks head. From Tom Hall's Introduction to Turks Heads. Brian...

Hi Bob. Thanks for that advice and it is very sound advice. I do have one of those cheaper swivel knives from Tandy. I still need to get the sharpener for the swivel. The value of a sharp blade can't be said enough. I do agree with that for sure. I need to get some better scrap from Tandy or something anyway. I was thinking of starting with a simple coaster or something like that. What do you all think? B...

Yep. I know him. He makes a good tool along with great books. Another really great source for learning turks head knots. Don Burhus is the owner of that fabulous material. He did a great job with it all. I have personally reviewed his books that are out so far and they measure up by my own opinion. I can't say that for other people. But I do like his style and approach. The best one I have found as far as illustration of the construction of the knots and interweaves is Tom Hall's " Introduction To Turks Head Knots "... By far the best for learning and great for going back to for reference when you need to remember a knot. I keep his books with me all the time. Ya never know when you'll have to look up a Turks head knot. Brian...

LOL... I am already broke. LMAO.. B...

No problem Cheryl. I'm glad they make books for jus that reason. I am also very greatful that I can read. LOL... I will be posting the fabuloso beginning works of the non-master/green horn/ carver. I know. I'm opening myself to destruction. LOL... B...

Okay. The tools are in place and some scrap pieces of vegie tanned hides to play with. I have a few photos of the lucky 7 tools I bought which are just the basic 7 plus 2 because one tool in the basic 7 is larger than the lucky 7 descriptions from that lucky 7 book. This all came about from a local leather club meeting I went to on Saturday morning. Essentially, only two braiders present. But all the advice I got from a new found friend " John Wickstrom " a local carver about 30mins due south of me. He told me about the book lucky seven. I went into Tandy right after the meeting and bought all the tools that the book had listed. I knew from you all that the basic 7 set would have the tools needed to start with. But upon looking through the book I notice that there was 1 tool that was larger in that set than what was being described in the book. I found the tool needed. I also found that I would need a stylus. Got one of those too. I have uploaded the below photos of the set and an improvised or re-purposed stylus. Hope ya'll like what I've got so far. I will post my beginning work for advice from you all here. Photos: This is the start of the re-purposed stylus I made. I got this idea from a post made on Facebook. Brian...

I got them at pandahall.com B...