larena

If you are going to be doing a lot of braiding the link below, for y-knotlace, may be an affordable option. I have the smaller one and I really like it. It is fast and accurate. You will have to do some practice strings but it was fairly easy to get the hang of it. Best advice I was given, no matter which beveler you use, always use a sharp blade. http://y-knotlace.com/yknot-store:21568/show/cat:25542

I watched Alan's tutorial and I think I will give it a try. I have been doing it Gail Hought's way and have done well with it too. Is there a formula you use to figure out the strings needed for different circumferences on nose buttons? Here's another question for everybody, if you make a nose button say . . . . 7 1\2 inches long, laying flat, how long will it actually be when it is bent into shape? Is there a formula for figuring that and does it change with the circumference? Sorry for all the questions, but this is the best place for answers. Thanks to everybody for all the help, larena

Jamie, Thanks for the tips. I got my latigo from Sheridan Leather. I really like it but is seems a bit on the dry side. So you run your leather through the rawhide cream before you bevel? How about when you split it? I did run the strings through rawhide cream as I braided them and it worked out really good. I've got the core braided now. Started it over twice because I got a little curve to the braid. . .. a little OCD on straightness I suppose. I am building a 3/4 inch bosal with a twisted core covered with a braided rawhide to get it up to 1/2 inch. It now measures "exactly 3/4 inch". I guess it is going to be a starting bosal. I was just wondering, after you finish the braid do you wash the saddle soap off before rolling it? I guess I will start the nose button tomorrow. I have only made one bosal before this one and I did the nose button with multiple strands. I am not sure how to figure out how many strings to use and what size. Any suggestions? Let me know how your's turns out. Have fun. Larena

You are right, the latigo does look and feel better when it has a slight bevel on the hair side. I beveled my project strings last night and I think they look pretty good. I did a very slight 45 on the hair side, I hope that is enough; and a 30 on the flesh side. I will start braiding over the core tonight and then on to the nose button. I really like the way the latigo works. I have not had a lot of experience yet but it is a lot easier to work than kangaroo or rawhide. I need a more experience with rawhide but I love the feel of it. I guess the temper is the key and experience is the only teacher there. If I had one wish it would be for an endless supply of all leather . . . of course I would share. Thanks everybody for the help and advise, Larena

Thanks for the responses. I took your advice Brian and did a 30 degree bevel and then split my strings. Wow, that works great. I braided up a short section around an old reata and it was still pretty course on top. So . . .. back to the drawing board. I took it apart and did a scant 45 on the top and it seemed to fold in without the sharp edges. I guess I will give it a try on the strings I'm using for the bosal and see if I can make it work. Do you bevel the side buttons too? I really do appreciate all of your comments and help. Hopefully it will turn out and I'll post a picture and you can all know you helped. Larena

Hi everybody, I am working on my first latigo bosal and I need some advice. I have my core ready to braid over. I have cut my 1/4 inch latigo lace and split it down to 1/16 inch. I now need to bevel it but I am not sure exactly the best way to do this. Do you bevel both the hair and flesh side on latigo ? Which angle or angles do you use? I can do a 30 or 45 degree bevel. I am looking for a scalloped look over the twisted core. Is that done with the bevel? Thanks for the help, Larena

Thanks Rgerbitz for the reply. Just a few questions on the Neubert cutter; does it do different bevel angles? Maybe I'm worried about something that really isn't an issue here, but do you guys do different bevels on the tops and bottoms of rawhide strings? What about the different blades, which in your opinions work best and which are the most readily available? Sorry for all the questions but I figure if you want to learn ask somebody who knows. Thanks everybody for your help.

JCM, I'm looking into buying a string cutter/beveler. There are a few different cutters out there but I have never used one and I need some advise. I want to do work with rawhide and then other leathers. Does your new cutter offer different bevel angles? What size blades does it use. What do you like and what would you change? Is it just for fine strings and leathers? Any advise is greatly appreciated. Thanks..

Thanks leatherpownder for the info on the Hansen. What kind of string cutter are you willing to part with? Is it a good one for rawhide and other types of leather? If you don't mind, can you send me the pictures and information to my email address: larena1235@yahoo.com. Thanks so much.

Thanks Megabit, I appreciate the reply. Do you know if the hansen is capable of doing different bevel angles?

Good morning everybody. I am just getting into rawhide braiding. So far I have two hides ready to turn into something but I do not have a string cutter/beveler. I have looked at a couple of different cutters on line but I'm not sure which one is the best. I would appreciate any suggestions or information about your personal choices and what to look for in the different models. Thanks in advance.