Alan Bell

Here I have started the lace and it is coming out the top. I have pulled on the lace to get it to this point but I had to let go to take the picture.

The Argentines are really advanced in their rawhide work. 60, 70, 80, and even 90 strands will be used to cover a knife handle! I've seen a braiding masterpiece of a one foot wide girth strap that took its braider, Pablo Lozano, one year to braid! They do many intricate patterns and knots far beyond our simple pineapple and herring bone. There really is no comparison yet they use very simple tools to do all this intricate work. One of these tools is their lace cutter. It is simply a 1 1/2" - 2" disc about 1/2" thick. Sometimes these are plastic washers and they make them out of hardwood or cattle horns. They cut a horizontal slit into the side that goes past the half way mark and in the middle they will drill an egg shaped hole. A very sharp knife will be wedged into the hole and the material to be cut will be slid into the slit. The difference between the keen edge of the knife and the wall of the slit is the width of lace that will be cut. Now comes the neat part...after the first little starter cut has been made you get the cut lace piece coming out of the top of the center hole, pulling the material tight (I clamp one end and pull tight with my left hand) you grab the lace with your right hand and pull towards yourself at an away angle. As you pull the knife will be hanging there in mid air wedged inside the egg shaped hole and it will just glide along as if it is cutting the lace by itself! Because of the size of the pics I made I'll have to do several post. The first is my knife inside the plastic circle.

Rob, Thanks, that's my first try at the Argentine technique for fid work I first learned about it through the TCA but couldn't get it to work until last month when I went and visited Nate Wald again in Montana. That Quirt handle is 50 strands and the button knots are a very different Gaucho knots (from the 'real' Gauchos of Argentina) they don't call them "Gaucho". They call the base of that knot a 'left hand ring knot' or a reverse ring. Not even sure if I can describe how to tie it without the person there because it makes a few odd passes including one where you don't cross over or under any other strings! Skip, I'll try and post some pics of me cutting rawhide lace next time I do it. I have some pics of me cutting horse hide using the Argentine method that I will post. This method could be used for calf hide too. Vaya Con Dios, Alan Bell Bob Marley - Natural Mystic

Here's the pic that got left off.

Thought I'd put up some photos of the things I use to braid and make string. From top to bottom; left to right rolling board, pliers, hammer, cement, leather strips(for collars) calipers, rawhide lace, ruler, more leather strips, Quirt, roll paper tape, saddle soap, scissors, knife, fid, rawhide lace, another fid, more leather collars, pliers, rawhide lace Vaquero Cream, life eye needles, side cutters and a burnishing stick My humidor Vaya Con Dios, Alan Bell Bob Marley - Top Ranking

Good suggestion, but you might also want to consider leather lace. Leather lace has a grain side and a flesh side so whether you are braiding a length or doing fid work or tying a simple button you have to keep the grain side out. This is a very important fact that is not a consideration with para cord so on the one hand, though it makes para cord easier, I've found that learning to keep the grain side out is worth the extra effort. Also, even thought the end results may not be the greatest since you are still learning you will have something more in line with the type of gear you are hoping to make and it may actually turn out to be a serviceable piece of gear! Leather lace is also a bit more forgiving than rawhide and you can undo a piece and start over if you have to. It won't be perfect but it will still turn out pretty nice. Vaya Con Dios, Alan Bell Bob Marley - Three Little Birds

Timothy, I'm in Greenville if your ever up Hwy. 69 feel free to stop by. Maybe we can compare notes on braiding. Vaya con Dios, Alan Bell Bob Marley - Trench Town Rock

Not exactly sure what you mean by how I did the interweave but this was one of my first bosals. Actually no. 2 I think and the other one was a pencil bosal that was close but not quite! I did the interweave on this heelknot by first doing what represents the two outside lines and after seeing I could fill more space I added the middle interweave. Moisture content is the trickiest thing in braiding. My method is to wet the strings for 15 sec. or so depending on size and then pat off excess and place in plastic bag in side another plastic bag to set. Half way thorough the casing I will wipe each strand with Vaquero Cream or something similar. Then I will braid what ever I am braiding. I used to have spray bottle to re moisten the braid but now I will take either a barbers shaving brush cut down to about an inch and a half or a fairly damp cloth and rub the cream and then the braiding project to re-moisten so I am not moistening with water but with the cream. For the finer strings on buttons i may just run the string through my mouth to moisten. Saliva penetrates the lighter strings pretty evenly and it is a method that has been used probably longer than any other! I have been known to put braiding in my mouth to moisten and I know it sounds strange but it is a very good way to get even moisture into your project. Not sure why but it penetrated evenly unlike water that has to be gradually absorbed to even out. I'd rather my strings be too dry than too wet for braiding. I want them to flex enough to shape around the project and to lay flat enough for the layers in braiding but I don't want the too moist so that they stretch when braiding or the fibers break taking the strength and the life out of the strings. Also if they are too moist then as they dry they will shrink and pull away from each other leaving gaps in your work. Vaya Con Dios, Alan Bell Bob Marley - One Love

CharlieR, Since I didn't see the bolo either I'll ask if the ends were those silver ferrule type things to hold the braiding together and the a braided button on the end of that? If so, often the ends of those are little balls so he could have just covered that. Not very many use wood to braid over unless it is a knife handle or a quirt or whip handle but we do make build ups of string, tape, or leather as foundations on knots like these heelknots. Vaya Con Dios, Alan Bell Bob Marley - Redemption Songs

FWIW, I NEVER give my dog anything that I have already braided! He gets the fresh rawhide when I am making the rawhide but once it is string he doesn't touch it and I don't let him consequently he has been left in a room or the garage where I am working on gear or where I will have a bosal hanging off my saddle horn within his reach and he will not touch it. He knows the difference between gear that has been braided and rawhide pieces. He even will eat the flesh side when I skive it off but not touch the string if I leave it on the floor near him! I am afraid to give my dog braided mistakes for fear he will then take that as an OK to chew up my nice bosal! Heck, he only chews on the fat left on the hide in the frame if I am there and he leaves when I leave. GOOD ROSCOE!!! Vaya Con Dios, Alan Bell Bob Marley - Maga Dog

Hi Joanne, depending on the breed and weight of the cattle some times the spine is thinner. In the States some operations use a fly chemical back rub or they put liquid fly repellent directly on the spine of the cattle and that makes the spine of no use. I'm not familiar with your hide so you will have to determine that. At any rate, to make a twisted core you take a strip of even thickness from 1 to 2 in. wide, nail one end to a board and start twisting and stretching until you have a 32 - 36 in core to braid over ( you might want it a little longer so it is longer than your bosal and you can cut it when you are ready). then you nail the other end stretched out tight. Let it dry and then you have to sand it because it will curl a bit and will have ridges spiraling around it. You can also, do a 1 in strip twisted core and then take another 1 + in. and twist the opposite direction over the first to make a bigger core if you wanted. This will also make it stiffer. For a braided core it all depends on what you are wanting. For the sake of getting started I'd say take either 4 or 6 reata type strings 1/4 in, 5/16 in, or 7/16 wide, that means you are basically braiding a short reata of say 32 - 34 in. as your core. Smooth this out using your preferred method (rolling, pounding or pulling through a rounder) and braid over that. It will give you a 3/8 to 1/2 in bosal. So now you have a few ways to go about it. Try what sounds more to your liking and if that doesnt' work out then try another method next time. I do the braided core and I don't cut straight strips out of my hides only circles. There is quite a bit of hide that goes to my dog because I want only the best part for my strings! If it iw weak or stretchy it will not make good gear. Also, if you braid rawhide and make a mistake you have to cut it up and start over because rawhide does not do well when you re-braid it. Since you have a thinner hide maybe twisting is the way to go and then you can double it like I described. Or you can take a circle out of the hip cut a long 1 in strip and split that to make strings for a braided core. What ever suits your fancy! Vaya Con Dios, Alan Bell Bob Marley - Babylon System

I got to visit with Dave Genadek and his partner Liz Graves last Sunday. I really enjoyed the visit. Dave talked about pattern design as he was taught by Bob Brown and I even got to see the original design for the 'LONE RANGERS' gun leather! Then we visited about saddle tree construction, shape and form and finally Dave helped me with my understanding of the human pelvis and how it relates to seat shape and he even showed me how to "center" myself in the saddle and why! I would have loved to stayed longer visiting but I was actually there with a mutual friend that was picking up her gelding after 30 days training from Liz so I had to cut the time with Dave a little short. I did, however, get a copy of Dave's saddle fit video and would have to recommend it to anyone! His explanation about the human pelvis is good and would help anyone even if you already understand it he gives a very good way of relating it to your customers! Just wanted to get this on this forum since things started to get a little heated in the past. I really enjoyed the visit and want to thank you again, Dave, for your time an consideration and the video. Tell Liz thanks also, I would love to visit with her more on bosals and maybe we can all get horseback and play! Vaya Con Dios, Alan Bell Bob Marley - WAKE UP AND LIVE!

I stand corrected on the '58 vs the '56 Wade and Ray Holes. I'm away from home! Vaya Con Dios, Alan Bell

RWC Tom Dorrance took Cliff Wade to Hamleys to get himself a copy of Cliff's unmarked saddle. Tom and Cliff made a few adjustments and Tom eventually left his saddle to Bryan Neuberts two sons. They have it. Cliff had the '58 Wade made for him by Ray Holes Saddlery in 1958 (hence the name) I don't think Cliff Wade had anything to do with the tree design called "the Cliff Wade" I think it was an attempt to lend some authenticity to trees that were made by some of the factory makers. The Homestead is another slick fork design by Ray Holes I think some are taking that design and adding a wood post horn and calling it a "Homestead Wade". Vaya Con Dios, Alan Bell Bob Marley - Caution

Thanks David, I thought I had seen that information on your website before. Vaya Con Dios, Alan Bell Bob Marley - I shot the Sheriff

Hey Bruce, do you think you could post pics of the trees comparing the Timberline to the Nikkel trees? Also, in another topic Andy Knight mentions the thickness of the swell where the horn is, How does this compare on the Timberline vs the Nikkels? Thanks, Vaya Con Dios, Alan Bell Bob Marley - Duppy Donqueror

Thanks Bruce, Now I'm trying to sort out if the bar is narrower at that point is it really affecting the seat once all the leather is put over it. With the same hand hold width wouldn't the top line of the bar remain the same and the narrowness show up on the bottom line. In my mind I can see how this would make for a "closer contact" but not necessarily a narrower seat. I think a ladies seat should be built just the way you described. I made a saddle for a friend of mine and he got one from another maker at the same time. The other fellows seat is built like you would for a woman and my buddy feels it is too wide and doesn't like it. I guess the 1/4" each side adds up to a 1/2" difference overall. But it still seems that the way the ground seat is built can either accentuate that difference or almost completely negate it. Vaya Con Dios, Alan Bell Bob Marley - Hammer

Thanks, Andy as I have had quite a hard time getting across to folks the difference between what some tout to be a Wade and what actually is a Wade. Being a Texan does not increase my credibility when it comes to talking about Buckaroo gear either! I may have to quote you in order to get others to believe me! Vaya Con Dios, Alan Bell Bob Marley - Thanks and Praises

Hey Darc, That is pretty much what I thought about the narrower ground seat but have heard from a lady touting her Lady Wade because it has a narrower seat! I guess the bar thickness issue I end up dealing with is the difference of having a "factory" tree and a tree made by a reputable maker. This is also what some saddlemakers are pushing saying they can get trees with narrower bars made for ladies by Timberline. I had never heard of that and thought I'd put it out there on this board. Vaya Con Dios, Alan Bell bob Marley - War

There's been some discussions on another board about bar modifications for the female anatomy. I had not heard of any. I think what they are looking at is how a Wade bar is narrower in the middle compared to an Assoc. (this might also be why the flat plate does not feel as bulky on a Wade tree as it would on an Assoc.) Is there a specific modification for women other than what the saddle maker can do with his ground seat? Vaya Con Dios, Alan Bell Bob Marley - Burnin' and Lootin'

Hey Gary that looks pretty good! You could probably add in an interweave where the handle gets wider and eliminate the gaps! Vaya Con Dios, Alan Bell Bob Marley - Zimbabwe

Johanne, do yo have any idea of what you are wanting to do other than "I want to make a bosal"? If not I would have suggested latigo lace or something more forgiving than rawhide. Do you braid already? What kind of core do you want? Do you have a way to make lace? Can you split the strings to even thickness? Can you bevel the edge? If you answer yes to all these things we can proceed. If you braid I'll assume you are familiar with 8, 12, and 16 plait and also that you know your casa knots and the various interweaves up to the third level. Also that you have a multiple string method for tying a long knot. As for the hide, it will vary in thickness and stretchyness. The neck and flank will be thicker than the rest. the belly stretchy-er that the rest. Sometimes the spine is thin too. So I suggest cutting circles out in areas that are uniform thickness. They can even be ovals on the sides but I generally do circles. Depending on the size of lace you are going to end up with you can make an 1" strip or a 2" strip. If you are going to do a twisted core you will want to decide on the size of the finished project to know where to cut the strip you will use for the core and how wide to cut it any where from 1" to 2" and long enough to make a 34" finished core. It's is easier to braid up a core. As for stretching the string there are some that feel that in the splitting of the the string down to uniform thickness you will stretch the string more than enough to straighten the curves. But if you want to stretch it you would take the wide strips and wrap them around fence post at least 30' apart 50' is better. Wrap it fairly tight but remember as it dries it will shrink and stretch so you don't want it so tight when wrapping that you will break the fibers in the rawhide as it stretches. Good Luck Vaya Con Dios, Alan Bell Bob Marley - Zimbabwe

I think 4 1/2 " across and 4" tall is what I made and I put it between the cheeks below the side button and tie it above the side button. Vaya Con Dios, Alan Bell Bob Marley - Caution

Dipping them in the Spar Varnish should not make a honda brittle only the boiling water will do that. At least in my limited experience with them. Vaya Con Dios, Alan Bell

Hey Susan, good to see you too! I'm doing some braiding and making some spur straps and belts and such while waiting for some trees. I hope to be ordering some trees from Rod and Denise very soon! Did Terry Moore make you a saddle? Vaya Con Dios, Alan Bell Bob Marley - Nice Time