KnotHead

Nice work... Love the silver... B...

From the appearance of some others that I googled. It would appear that most are done with a wide cut lace and then braided with a standard round braid of either 4 strands, and 6 and even up to 8 strands. I think that the tie offs could be covered with a turks head to give it a more completed finish. Now as for a tutorial on round braids with a core, there are several on the net if one were to google it. Hope that this helps a bit. Brian...

Very good for your first braided leash. You're splicing at both ends look good. Your braid is even and there are no gaps in the braid that I can see. Metallic lace is really not the best to use. As you can most likely tell the lace feels different and is much stiffer to use. Most of the metallic part rubs off on your hands. I don't like the metallic lace much either. So, you're not alone in that department. Brian...

What kind of lace are you dealing with? Spool lace or, other?A lot of times when you deal with spool lace you will run into the stretchy parts of the lace. This is where the cut from the hide cut into the stretchy part of the hide. The stretchy part is where the process of making the hide did not take right, or when the stretch of the hide did not stretch correctly. I deal with kangaroo hides that sometimes have those spots you speak of. So when I cut my hides, I cut only the good part, or the non-stretchy spot. If the whole hide has those spots on the outer edges I will cut wider in those areas so that when I go to stretch the lace those areas will come out the same as the cut lace in the good parts. If you are dealing with spool bought lace, there is not much you can do about that except for this one thing. Cut the appropriate length desired and the stretch that lace out and then try your cutting from that point. Brian...

LMAO! You're funny. I like your sense of humor. B....

I been knowing Peejay almost 5yrs now. I have never been disappointed in any of his work or his friendship. Brian...

I'll be finding out on my next project. Thanks all for the very kind comments. B...

His name is Peejay Nelson and you contact him at peejay1000@aol.com... He does have an online store in my eMall. Here's the link, PJ's Custom Tools Thanks all for the kind comments. Brian...

Check this out. This is my new braiding fid that was sent to me as a gift from my tool maker in Upper N.J. Yep it's Damascus SST and Olive Wood. I'm all giddy now. Geesh... B...

Check your Private Messages Tracy. B...

Precision like you speak of is a skill only mastered by actually doing it. If you buy 1/4 inch lace you'll have enough room to bevel. B...

It does make a difference. Anyone, who has picked up both beveled and not beveled will tell you that there is a difference. Especially in the way it feels in the hand. B...

Anything is possible. But not always proper. Myself which is all I can speak for, think it's not a very good idea to mix pre-cut lace and lace you cut from the hide. A splitter can be made from a simple piece of wood and by using a utility scraper, you can split lace that way. I myself, no matter the quality of the hide will split my lace for evenness. The quality of the braid you do starts with the hide. It always will. To me a good quality hide is a hide that is without blemishes on the skin side and very little stretchy parts on the outside parts of the hide. Increasing the chance for even more lace that way. Of course as you start to buy your own hides, you'll see what the differences are between each hide. This is an experience best taught, or learned by doing and seeing for yourself. Brian...

Tom Hall's book Introduction to Turks Heads can be purchased at UBraidit for $26.95... Brian...

You're welcome and yes the techniques can used with kangaroo as well. I believe that turks heads are still the most popular covering for braid work still. Of course, I am only speaking for myself on that. Here's a photo of one of my more recent projects of a dog leash without a core. It is a 4 strand round braid, no core. Done in whiskey tan kangaroo. The knot work is 2 7part, 6 bight pine apple knots top and bottom. The braids where the handle intersects with the rest of the lead is a split T braid done in a herringbone style braid. You will find two of those top and bottom. The books I mentioned will be more than sufficient for you to learn button work from. Learning the basics of turks heads will be first on the list before you move on to the interweaves. Tom Hall's book Introduction to Turks Heads will teach you just that and some really awesome interweaves. Each author mentioned has their own way of explaining things. Some easier than others. Most important, is that you take your time and learn the basics of turks heads. Don't bite off more than what you can swallow. The key thing here is don't give up on your learning. Brian...

Thanks Enrique. I'll have to remember that when I get some goat raw hide and some raw hide next time. Brian...

Bernie46 posted a youtube video on how to make a cheap beveler out of wood and bolts. http://youtu.be/GdTc5eWH4Rk

There are so many ways to finish an end off. Too numerous to mention all of them here. But it is also up to the individual artist which finish off they use. Most of us will use whatever is appropriate to the project at hand. For instance I use on my necklaces silver end caps that I buy from ebay. Megabit's way is also another good way to end a braid if you don't want to use precious metals. Brian...

I think most of us that braid dog leads here use Kangaroo Hide. Available in your country at much, much cheaper price than here in the states. I can only speak for myself on the second question. I used a total of 4 books to learn from. Tom Hall's Introduction to Turks Heads Robert L Woolery's Braiding Rawhide Horse Tack Bruce Grant's Encyclopedia to Rawhide Braiding - Hard Back version Ron Edward's Round Knots, Advanced Leather Braiding volume 2. ( Available from Ram Skull Press in your country )... I can not remember his name. But there is one book out, called Braiding Fine Leather that shows a dog lead project. Maybe someone else can remember the name of the author. Brian...

I'm not sure about latigo. But with the kangaroo I use, I bevel just the underside of the lace. I always bevel before I split the lace. This gives me more surface on the cutter to bevel. I have gotten used to beveling at 30 degrees instead of at 45 degrees. Beveling at 30 seems to give me a cleaner bevel, or cut. Beveling before you split wont take away any of the bevel on the sides. You still have a 30 degree angle on the edges to work with and to produce the smooth look you're after. It only requires minimal roll out after the braiding is done. Hope this helps. Again this is my preferred method and this is what works for me. It will ultimately be your decision as to what you do since you're the artist. Brian...

This one looks good. Lace The grain in the leather looks to be by the photo of good quality and greased real well. Also, if you work with only a yard long piece of lace at a time, it will turn out much better. Brian...

I have not tested on leather. Brian...

Very nice work. The braiding is nice and even and consistent with no gaps. The knot looks good with no gaps in the crossings. Good quality braiding. B...