Melanie Wilfong

I'm working on my second quirt and have run out of kangaroo lace. The core, bottom knot and a long middle middle knot are all in kangaroo. I'd like to try braiding rawhide. Would it look bad to do the handle and pineapple on the lash in rawhide? I haven't seen enough of this type of work in person to know what looks good and what doesn't. This quirt is coming out nice and I don't want to mess it up. Thx

This is my first one, and I'm not crazy about it. For one thing the rope wasn't stiff enough. Next one will be stiffer with slightly wider leather lace so the coverage is better. Also, when the heel knot was loose it worked out perfectly and looked correct, but when tightened it looks bad. Please let me know how I can improve the next one. Thanks.

Could someone give tips on shaping a bosal made from stiff 3 strand rope? I've read it's tricky shaping it. The nose & side buttons are complete. I haven't tied the heel knot yet. Thanks

All our old hackamores, which are wearing out, are made of nylon rope. They're not made with rawhide, just stiff rope with leather nosebutton. We have a lot horses, so think I'll try to make rope from horse tail. I really like your site and work. Will a drop spindle work for horsehair cord?

What type of nylon rope is best for the fiador on a hackamore like this one? I ordered samson #10 sash cord, per Bruce Grant's recommendation in his book, but it was too big and more cottony than I'd like. I have 1/4" nylon, but it's very cheap and shiny walmart type rope. Can someone recommend a good rope for this? At one time I found one posted in the site, but couldn't find it in a search.

Thank you, Tracy, finally got it. This is a great video if anyone has trouble. I doubled it for the hackamore knot.

Tracy, I looked at Grant's again and it will work. For some reason last night when I looked, I thought you had to work both ends. Thanks so much. It looks easier.

Yes, I do..the only thing is I've already tied the fiador knots based on Hall's instruction and hated to start over if there is something simple I'm missing. Thxs:)

Here is where I'm stuck. thanks:)

I've worn out my eyes trying to figure out the knot based on Tom Hall's instructions. What's confusing me is I'm holding the fiador knot end with my left hand, and also holding the loop that comes down the middle with my left index finger. Ok, follow the steps, then when I get to "pull the loop under #3" is where I get lost. It looks so easy, but I can't tell if at any point the loop runs under the end (fiadors) that I'm holding in my fist, before it goes under 3. Or, do I only hold the fiador end and pull the loop under 3 like it says. I've tried like it says, but something is wrong. Can't believe how long this has taken. It looks so easy.

Hello, I'm in the process of tanning a skin using this method: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/HOW_to_tan_a_rattlesnake_skin It's soaking in milk. Does anyone know if it will work. We have lots of rattlesnakes and for some reason today I decided to clean, skin and cook one. I've got some special conchos and would like to make a belt. Thanks. If this doesn't work, I'm sure before too long I'll see another.

It's another quirt. The core is 1.5" circ. w/ buck shot in the middle. The string is 3/32". Everybody wants a quirt. As soon as I finish this one I'm building a hackamore for myself:).

Before I put any much time in, will a 20 strand round braid, 2 O, 2 U, 2 O, 2 U, 2 O work? I tried 16 but it wasn't enough coverage and 24 is too much. Thanks.

Could you put me down on the list to attend? Thanks

I'll try this on the next one. Thanks

Thank you all, and especially Alan for the awesome tutorial and for the tip on making pairs. I braided it down as Alan showed.

Thank you Tracy. I have had a problem w/twisting. I read the tutorial several times and I am confused on a point Alan makes about going back up on the braid. Can someone explain this? " I do this with each string in succession first working 4 of them to the left and then i go back and work them in succession to the right of where I started. This helps me from putting a twist into the finished noseband. Here I am half way back up creating pairs." The strings to the left split pairs. I an confused what he means by the 4 strings on the right, then work to the right. I've been working w/ the first string on the left, then continuing to the left until all are going up creating pairs. Thanks

I went with 6. We'll see how it turns out. The last one I made aligned correctly, but it spiraled???

How many 3/32" strands should I use for a 2" circumference when tying a nose button/cowboy knot? Thanks

This is a 16 strand around a steel cable which tapers down at the end. How would you suggest tapering down? I've seen a very good video which tapers over a larger area in a number of steps, but since this is only about 1" I'm not sure what to do. It's a quirt. Thanks

I pulled each side (8 strands) as evenly and tight as possible as I went. I tried to hold onto all strands with my thumb and pull evenly. Then when I did the other side same thing. Then would pull both sides? Is this right? Also, what's the best soap to use for a tight braid and how do you use it? I have Fiebing's white soap. Do you put on then wipe off? They way I was using it, it left a white film. Gonna go w/soap vs. butter for the next one. I got the lace from Amazing Leather in Aust. after seeing that as a recommendation on this board. It was pretty expensive so next time I'll order a whole skin and see how I get along w/that. I have a cutter/beveler/skiver tool. Thanks for the replies.

This roo is so thin I'm not sure if it's beveled. It's almost paper thin. When I make a bosal, I'm going to cut my own lace. The way I rolled it was put saddle butter on, then wrapped in foil the rolled across room under my foot. I like the color, but the braids don't look crisp.

Yes, it's all whiskey colored roo. I must have used to much saddle butter. The reason I'm adding the knot in the middle is the core was too limp, so after braiding I decided to lash two very small metal plates to stiffen it. The cowboy knot will cover that part. I'm def. going to use a diff. core next time. Thanks for the reply.

The handle and core already looks like an antique. lol Am I rolling too much? Too much saddle butter? I like the lower knots better. Why does it already look worn out? Thanks In person it looks older than these pics.

Yesterday day I built up the core. The tapering didn't look so good. Thanks everyone! Much appreciated.