Ecapone

Here is another way. I tried once and I couldn't finish it properly so it is not very easy but you might want to try it. It is called the substitution method. First you have to cover the ring with a round braiding. Do a 6, 8 or 12 thongs braiding over the ring. You have to tie the beginning of the thongs tightly and braid until you are starting to cover the beginning of your braid. Tie the end of the thongs and cut them. Now is when the substitution starts. Get a very long thong and start replacing the ones in the braid one by one until all the thongs in the original braiding is removed. It is not easy but a great idea. Good luck Enrique

Brian, Long time ago I tried the formula to give a black color to the rawhide that is indicated in the Argentinean book "Trenzas Gauchas". You have to put in a can some rusty nails but also the used herbs that are left after you drink mate. Then you have to wait for several days until the water turns black and then put your laces on. Mate is an Argentinean, Paraguayan, Uruguayan and brazilean tea. I bring it from argentina but I can also buy it in some stores around here (Like Fiesta for example). They also sale "Yerba Mate" in teabags. You can use that too. I have seen the Mate teabags in the "Central Maket" and also in the Whole Food store. As the yerba mate gives a green color to the water, I guess that probably green tea might also work. What I remember is that I obtained a solid black rawhide. Cheers, Enrique

Arno, That belt looks really nice. congratulations. That work is explained in my book too. Cheers, Enrique

Brian, Very neat. Nicely done my friend. As you mentioned there are many options to try. I just came back from Argentina and I saw one border that has some kind of a O2, U2, O1, U1, O2, U2 pattern. I bought a hobble with this border and I will try to decode it. It should be very easy. Cheers, Enrique

Very nice Brian. One thing is to know how to do the 1 to 7. Another is to do it nicely like you have done it. Your pastor is going to be happy. I made a similar one for my wife about 10 years ago and there is no important were on it. Cheers, Enrique

Awesome job. Congratulations. Enrique

Awesome explanations Shelly Enrique

Very nice Brian. Enrique

Very nice work. That is a coincidence. That is what I asked Santa for Chrismas. Cheers, Enrique

The first tool you are going to need, can't be bought anywhere. Actually is free. It is called "patience". You will need a lot of that and just a few extra tools like a fid (or awl) and sharp knives. I have never used paracord. Only rawhide so I can't help you with that one either. Good luck braiding and I hope your health improve. Assisting one of those classes is really good. I wish I can go to the one Leland and Nate are going to be giving but I already sign in for the one Pablo Lozano and Armando Deferrari are going to be dictating next May in Idaho. I can't take both. Cheers, Enrique

Awesome work Brian. Very nicely done. Congratulations. Enrique

Very nice work. Congratulations. Enrique

Gorgeous. Absolutely amazing. Congrats, Enrique

Nice work. Congratulations. Enrique

In Argentina we use goat rawhide a lot. It is very good for very fine and delicate works. I have made several knife handles with it. Now I use deer rawhide just because it is available to me for free. I would use goat if I can choose. Horse is also use a lot in my country. I have prepared myself some goat and lamb hides in the past with lime. We don't temper the rawhide the way you do with caw rawhide. We give it just enough humidity to make them pliable but that is all. For that reason, is not streachy for us. I want to clarify that I have never made a whip so I don't now if it will work for that application. I have never used any tanned goat either. Only rwahide. Cheers, Enrique