Kanga

I've always called that a gulf knot and yes they're strong, I use them on bridle reins.

thanks for your replies. Dave my French is non existant but I might have a look anyway. Andrew, does your friend in the UK have internet access, if so, is there any chance you could give me his email address so I could talk to him in a bit more detail? thanks

A friend of mine is a wonderful whip maker but he's never made a whip with a holly wood handle. I managed to source some holly wood for him but he's unsure if he should strip the bark off it. Does anyone know how they are made?

Ruth, hi, have you thought about going into a saddlery or a boot maker to see if they have machines? If you tell them you're thinking about buying one hopefully someone will be helpful enough to let you see and maybe even try one out.

Wow, that's fantastic and so very kind TrooperChuck and Jordan. It's another bad day here today and after attending the community meeting last night I've decided to leave for the day. I am not prepared to stay and fight it so I will go. It's very smoky here and the wind is starting to pick up. I just hope we dont get any more lightening strikes or crazy fire bugs again.

Hi Ruth! and welcome, glad you joined, I am sure you will get the help and advice you need here. Linda

It's just heartbreaking. I live in an area where we've been surrounded by fires for 2 weeks. I slept in my car or drove around all night for 3 nights in a row. I've been taking the dogs with me everywhere I go. I've evacuated my mare. It's only the last couple of days that I've started to relax. I could see fires on 3 sides when I stood in my yard but luckily there has been no loss of life in my actual town. the ones nearby have been devastated though. They might never know for sure how many died but it's risen to 210. Countless livestock and native animals have been lost too. The suffering is immense.

Talk about lucky, these things never happen to me, except for this time. I was just driving into my place when I heard a huge ruckus in the sky. I looked up to see lots of magpies and crows frantically divebombing a wedge tailed eagle, (our biggest bird of prey in Australia) Amazingly I had my camera right beside me and even better, I had the long lens on. I did hesitate because it was all zipped up in the carry bag, but then I thought what the heck, I'll see if I can get some shots off. I couldn't tell until I got them onto the computer that it actually has a young sacred ibis chick in its talons.

It's nice to personalise things isn't it, much better than metal. Neat stitching too.

Hi Darryl, another Aussie here, just across the strait from you. Tom's recommendation of Lefflers is a goodie. They should have most of what you need. If you buy alot it might be worth joining their members club. If you're on a pension the membership is discounted and then on top of that you can get up to 33% off their regular prices. all the best, hope you have fun here.

thanks for this Barra, it helps alot. I have a side of what I think is called "bag leather", I got it from Packers a few years ago when I was toying with making dog collars from cow hide, that's what they sold me. I dont like it but do you think it might be OK for this? It's unstained, quite thick, well, a hell of alot thicker than roo, but fairly flexible and has some stretch in it.

I didn't know but I am very sorry to hear someone so young has this damned awful disease. I hope they can freeze it all. Sending good wishes to your daughter. Linda

Thanks Tonyc1 From a boxhead like me, what's boxhide To quote Pauline with those immortal words........"please explain" Pics would be good too if you have them.

Ahh thanks Barra, now, what type of leather do you think it would be, I am assuming cow hide but there's so many types. I need something specific and how do you think they get it tight? That's not your sulky is it? It's very pretty.

thankyou so much for such a quick answer but wouldn't you know it. I went to jerald sulky and it seems they're updating their site and for now ....no pics. My other problem is I dont know the terminology so alot of what you said is like a foreign language to me although from your description of the leather I can see you know exactly what I am talking about. How do you think they would get the leather tight, would it be wet and stretched first or because it is tacked on perhaps it doesn't need to be so tight anyway. thanks again