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

so many sub forums here I thought they'd cover everything but I dont know where to put this question. A bloke I know is restoring a cart/sulky/buggy thingy (I'm not even sure as I haven't actually seen it) anyway he seems to assume that because I do a bit of leather work I have an inborn knowledge of everything related to it WHICH I DONT! He said on the shafts where the harness attaches, often with a big leather ring, the shafts themselves are supposed to be covered with leather. He wants to know what type of leather and how is it attatched. I have a feeling I've seen it stitched on but to be honest I've not seen that many and not paid all that much attention. Can anyone help me, hopefully with pictures included because I have a feeling I am going to be expected to do the job for him. If there are several different methods please let me know. I hope someone here knows the answer. thanks in advance Linda

far out, now that's fancy! How many strands is it and what have you used for the core/belly? did you buy pre cut lacing or cut your own? No dog better chew that one, very beautiful indeed!

These are great! Miniature horses are all the rage so you should have no shortage of demand. How do you get all the tiny fittings, stirrup, buckels, bits etc. I'd love to see more of your work. Linda

Hey I caught that last night (Mon) and was busy so recorded it. I better go and have a look. There's a good chance it was made by Doug.

She is truly exquisite. The word ethereal sprang to my mind and I dont recall wanting to use it before. You are a true artist. Thankyou! I'm off to see what else you've posted.

I forgot to mention, Doug is in his mid eighties and doesn't understand computers but he still has a bright active mind and can figure out all sorts of plaiting conundrums. Oh! another thing I forgot to mention, I think this is a 12 strand whip.

thankyou. No it's all done by hand, including cutting the lacing.

I cannot claim credit for this, it's made by my friend Doug Kite, my mentor. He hand cuts the lacing exactly as he would for a full size whip, tapered and all. He also plaits a belly and the whips have a swell like the full size ones. this photo doesn't do it justice. I have two of his hatbands, one on my Akubra and this one is on the wall, just as any work of art should be.

I thought I should probably post a pic of something I made. this was made for a lady who does competition dog obedience. She's had it about two years now and loves it. She says when she shows with it the judges often comment on it. I get alot of phone calls from people this lady has referred, she's a good advert! I had a beautiful hide that I hand cut the lacing from and then skivved the under side outer edges. I also did a twisted leather core, then covered that with a 4 strand leather belly, a bit like a stockwhip and then over plaited with the outer 6 strand. Probably wasted effort but I feel good knowing it's in there. The client loves it too because she just got me to make her another. I prefer making the handle and neck section in a flat plait as I beleive it gives them more comfort although I will make a round plait if that's what they want. So far I've only ever had one person ask for a round plait. close up of the choker while I am at it here's some tiny all in one 4 strand show slips, also with flat plait on handle and neck.

Oh! falls back in a swoon! be still my beating heart! I'd love to prowl around there for a day or so with an unlimited budget.