ShannonS

Gail Hought's books are excellent sources for round braiding kangaroo. I use 1/8" wide lace for all of my leads and collars, 3/32" wide for braided buttons. Like Brian, I back braid about 1.5"...to attach the snap and to form the handle or thumb loop. Shannon

I don't like that particular style of knot (all it is, I think, is an overhand knot using one strand of lace). The ring knots do work, however, because handlers tend to use the beads as "anchors", the beads will slide on the lead over time. Even if they are able to keep their hands off of the beads, the lead will stretch slightly over time, allowing the ring knots to loosen up slightly. I use terminal knots on each end of my bead sets and I have never had any issue with strength in my beaded leads. Shannon

Also, if the glass beads you are using have cores, you can usually pop the cores out and get a little bit more size on the holes. You can run a straight edge razor blade all the way around the lip of the core and it should pop out pretty easily.

On my 6 and 8 strand leads, I will generally do a terminal knot (normally only using 4 of the strands) and NOT braid under the beads. Some gemstone beads have large enough holes which can accommodate the braided lace, but most of the Pandora style beads do not. In my opinion, you are not going to be able to enlarge the holes without compromising the bead (and if the bead breaks on the lead later, you don't have many options besides a braided button). I do not have a strength issue with my leads doing it this way, but will get some slight stretching if I'm not careful. I get the beads as tight as possible when I'm braiding the lead and I stretch the lace really good prior to braiding the leash. Collars are a different story, as there is more pressure on the leather. The lace can break at the terminal knot on a collar (especially a slip collar on a larger dog), so I will only use beads that are large enough to slide over the finished braid. I then hold the beads in place with ring knots.

Very pretty! I might have to copy that one.

I can understand where you are coming from Chelsea, I guess my methods are built more on my own past experience. All leather is going to stretch. I have been asked numerous times, if I can "fix" other vendors leads that are attached in the method that you are referring to. The leather stretches and the point that the two strands go over the hardware becomes weaker until it finally breaks. My cores do not tie back onto themselves, but I do think they provide some strength to the lead. But, as I mentioned in a previous post, I think a lot of the strength also comes from how well the back braiding is done. When I first started braiding (8+ years ago), I actually did a 4 strand flat braid over the hardware connection to cover the core tied to the snap. But, over time, the core started showing more and more. If I'm going to charge $100+ for a lead, I don't want to see the core. I can honestly say (knock on wood) that I've never had a lead break, at the snap or anywhere else. (Knock on wood again!!!) That being said, I have had to replace a couple of small, broken snaps on leads before. When I pull apart the back braiding to remove the broken snap, the core is still completely through the round braiding portion. However, if my leads were not rolled and stretched properly before back braiding, the core would be pulled out of the ends after being used for a little while. I highly recommend Gail Hought's books for any braiders, and this is the method she uses for all of her braided products as well. Shannon

Thank you for the compliment Yuliya, I take great pride in my leads and collars. On the hardware picture - #2 and #3 would be (what I call) push together. They work fine for small dogs, but even a correction/lunging dog, etc., can pop one of these snaps apart. The other type of connection between the swivel section and the bolt snap is MUCH more secure. And, actually, if someone is wanting to put a large breed dog on a 4 strand lead, I will often recommend a loop end. This will secure semi-permanently to the choke collar but is stronger than a snap. I don't want a larger snap on a 4 strand lead if possible, as it looks out of place. Sinews that I use: http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/en-usd/search/searchresults/3613-00.aspx or http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/en-usd/search/searchresults/11208-00.aspx Depending on the dog's size, I will use 2 or more strands of material. I only use the heavier one on giant breed dogs and 8 strand leads. 4 strand leads ~ 1/8" thick 6 strand leads ~ 3/16" thick 8 strand leads ~ 1/4" thick Almost all of my Pandora style beads will fit a 6 strand lead. You can round braid through the beads on the 4 strand leads if you want, but it will not work for the 6 or 8 strand leads. What I do recommend however, is a terminal knot to hold the beads in place. If you add beads to a finished lead and then add a braided button on either side to try to hold it in place, the beads will move on the lead over time. I add all of my beads during the leash making process. My beads will NEVER move on a lead. All of my products are braided with 1/8" lace. I have used the 1/4" lace before (ends up about the same thickness as an 8 strand, 1/8" lace lead), but I don't care for them as well. Beads can not be added correctly to a lead braided with 1/4" lace, however you could still add braided buttons. I use 3/32" lace for all of my braided buttons. Some people use 1/8" lace for their buttons, but I don't like the result. Shannon

As I am the owner/braider of "Leashes by Design", I can tell you what I do, since you referenced my site. All of my leashes have a heavy sinew core. A single strand of paracord is too thick. A 4-strand round braid done correctly (baring thick lace) is around 1/8" thick, a paracord core will distort the braid (in my opinion). All items need cores. Yes, kangaroo is strong, but the cores add extra strength, plus prevent excess stretching. I have no issues putting a 80# dog on one of my 4 strand leads. However, if the dog pulls (or has issues), the lead is going to cut into your hand, given its thin diameter. Err on the side of safety. The lead size should fit the dog. There are greater issues with inadequate hardware being used, than the braided lead itself. If you put a small hardware with the push together type connection for the swivel...don't expect it to hold a dog over 20#. You also can not use 2 strand of laces doubled over the snap to braid a 4 strand lead...definitely not strong enough. The cores in my product go through the entire round braid. Before back braiding, I snip the excess core off at the end of the round braid (after it's completely rolled and stretched). You do not want to be able to see the core on a finished lead. This is the only way to hide it completely (in my opinion). The weakest part of the lead is the connections. Done properly, the back braiding adds strength, it doesn't take it away. Shannon

If you purchase Gail Hought's books, you will not need anything else, for round braiding or braided buttons. Well worth the money for the aggravation you will save. Her button directions are BY FAR the easiest to follow. Almost all dog show leads are made from kangaroo leather, primarily lace that is 1/8" wide. I use 3/32" lace for all of my braided buttons. You should have plenty of choices where you are at - I like Birdsall's lace. I do not recommend using metallic lace. The finish will not hold up to use. Use cores in everything you make. The European, Pandora style beads will fit almost all 4 strand leads, most 6 strand leads and some 8 strand leads. Ebay is by far the cheapest for these beads, ordering them from the suppliers in China. Look around before buying though...I think some of them operate under several names and you can find identical beads under different stores for different amounts. I know shipping to the US is free, don't know about Australia. Feel free to look around my website. I am more than happy to answer any questions. I have a number of my leads being used in the breed rings down there. www.leashesbydesign.com Shannon

I purchase all of my kangaroo lace from Springfield Leather. Good prices and the lace is MUCH nicer than Tandy's. What type of end button did you braid on the bracelet? I usually put a terminal knot on the end of the round braid and then add 1-2 Turk's head on top, depending on what I want. But, I like the look of the button you braided. Very nice.