CharlieR

Heather --great job. Did you use the same plaiting sequence for the second set of reins as the first?

Heather --great job on the leash. I know what you mean about having to rework something--I think I had just rather start all over. Keep the pics coming--love the work.

OK, now you know you just can't say you made these! You have to give us all the details---LOL. Great work--I bet they were proud! I would be--nicely done.

Really a great looking plait for the oval shaped reins--nice, clean even work.

Hey guys--thanks for the info. I was braiding over one, under one on this project which was to be a bolo--but since it came out flat, my plans have changed--now it will be a hatband. Back to the drawing board!!!

Welcome from antoher Texan and champion dumb question asker!! Lots of great folks here and lots of expert advice!

Was going to braid a bolo for a firend and was using kangaroo in a 6 plait for the main body of the bolo--was trying to get good tight braidand stay consistant, but the braid turned out rather flat instead of round. I tried to roll it, but it would not roll properly due to the flat nature of the braid. Should I have used a core --- what did I do wrong?

Welcome, Horsehairbraider--you'll find this a great forum. Several knowledgable braiders frequent here and are really terrific with sharing of information. Speaking of braiding, I've heard of hitching, but is horsehair braiding the same as leather braiding, only with horse hair?? I guess that sounds kinda like a dumb question, uh?

Opagon--what diameter core, and what material, did you use on your riens?

Great work--keep the pics coming.

OK, I cut four strings to braid four around a leather core--just for a practice piece. I discovered the strings didn't quite completley cover the core, but I went ahead and braided around the core anyway, with spaces between the braiding. Since it was a practice run, I thought why not take another string and just braid it through the existing four braid with a needle, which I did. I guess I would now have a five braid, so I took another sting, put a needle on it and braided through the five braid, which essentially gave me a six btaid---I did this two more times with two more strings. Now, what have I done?? Is this s stupid man's way to make an eight braid? Loks kinda neat, but took a long time and the pattern looks different than a regular eight braid. Anybody ever done this before (or, why would you want to?)>comments and snickers welcome!

Rawhide--good work! How about a little more info? On the ends, how did you get the knots round? How did you cover the loop--looks like the same covering as on the round ring, but it stops--great idea. Nice work.

OK guys, how about a little advice. As a newbie braider, I have made several bolos and hatbands, using different knots and colors out of kangaroo. Now, I would like to try my first pair of working reins. Don't want to get too fancy, just use what little I've learned on the bolos and hatbands and make a nice using set of split reins. I have some leather core coming from Oregon Leather, have my kangaroo. As I don't cut my own strings yet, will use what I've bought. SO, what kind of advice can you offer a newbie on this project???

Greg--do they have websites or a telephone #? Thanks for the help.

Hey guys--someone mentioned a rein rounder--where can these be bought and how much? Anybody here in texas carry scuh a thing?

Alan--yep, I was talking about the sliding knot. I have tried tying a smaller knot for a foundation, but that didn't work to weel for me. I have also tride the leather collar with a little more success, so thought I would ask around about what some of the pros us. I'll give the matchbook cover a try and see how it works for me. I am still trying to tie the knots and keep them straight and good looking. One of these days would like to give rawhide a try. Thanks again. Charlie

OK guys--I have made a couple of bolo ties from kangaroo, but my main knot always seems a little less than desireable. What do you guys use as a foundation under the knot???

Been watching the forum for a bit and thought I would introduce myself. I have been braiding in kangaroo and have done a few hatbands and bolos. I'm just beginning, but enjoy it. I live just north of San Antonio and continue to be impressed with the braiders I see around the cowboy collectible shows. Hopefully, would like to get into rawhide, but due to varying factors, guess I will just have to be content to learn on kangaroo. Glad to meet you folks--will try to post pics later.