bucksnort

Thank you.

Really nice & a good way to use short pieces. Buck

No expert, but it looks really nice. Well done. Buck

TXAG, Those are sterling silver charm bracelet beads I ordered off of E Bay. That is why the center is split to two 4 strand braids, the holes weren't big enough to slip over my 8 strand body. Sometimes mistakes lead to the best designs. Buck

Great job. Thanks for sharing. Buck

Thanks guys. Wishful, they actually aren't a huge amount of work compared to most of what I do. I found with these that I didn't enjoy the work as much as usual & came to the conclusion that it was because they are strictly decoration with no real function. Kind of a shame because the profit to time & labor ratio would be much higher than most of what I do, but if I was in this for the money I'm in trouble anyway. Merry Christmas All. Buck

Pete, You make it sound so simple. I can tell you that 3 strands is the only braid I can keep straight without much thought. Beyond that the difficulty increases by the strand. 8 strands, one color I'm OK, 12 I'm getting a headache. At 32 I'm curled up on the floor in the fetal position. Buck

I made these for family members for Christmas.

Nice work Pete. The patterns in your braids amaze me. Buck

Nice job again Mike. I'll have to attempt the trenza patria sometime. Is it as time consuming as it looks?

Really nice Bret. Buck

Nice job Mike. Not too familiar yet with braids other than just square or round, what is the braid on the body? Buck

Oltoot, Thanks for the feedback. I'd say let me know how it works, but it may be a while before you mix again. I need to mix some up before long, I'll try about 1/2 as much lard & see how it works. It wouldn't be hard to add more later if it seems to need more. I'll have to check on the beeswax beads, I'm using regular old beeswax I got from a guy with bees. It works good, but is a lot of work to grate. Buck

As a general rule, once you have your turkshead base, for a pineapple you come up to the right of the standing end & follow it. Every time you come to a pair you split the coming out the same as the strand your following (under if it's under, over if it's over). Same for a guacho except you come up the left side of the standing end. You'll hear the rule of thumb a lot which is "always split pairs". Once you figure that part out, it doesn't matter how many bights you have, although an even number of passes will throw it off. Hope that doesn't just add to the confusion. keep up the good work. Buck

Nice work, especially for a first. Back braid on the loop looks good too, not easy to do. Buck

Brian, Very cool & great job with the pics. Thanks for sharing. Buck

I do the same as Bryce, except that I've always rinsed mine several times.then let them dry & retemper. Rinsing may not be necessary. Rit always seems to hold up well, I have some reins with red interweaves I've been using for a couple of year that are still nice & bright. Luck, Buck Not sure why that's so small!

Thanks, I've seen them split to 2 & to 3, but I think I like the 2 the best. I haven't tried a set yet, but plan to, so I'm getting ideas. Like yours a lot. Buck

Nice looking tool Pete. I'm not sure how the math works out, but I know I tear apart more than I braid. Buck

Nice work, how many strands on the reins & are they split into 2 or three? Thanks, Buck

Oltoot, Let me know how it works for you, considering the amount, I hope you like it. I mixed a batch the other day & tried using yellow soap, glycerin & beeswax. It doesn't work nearly as well, I think from the glycerin instead of lard. AZ Pete, I don't use Wyosheen, so haven't had the problem. I would guess you are right about the reaction. Buck

Thanks for brightening my day. I was upset because I had to redo a button I didn't like the looks of. I feel a little guilty feeling better at your expense, but I guess there's good in everything. Buck

Thank you Pete.

Thank you much. When I reach the turnback I drop from 12 strands to 8 ( makes the loop a smaller diameter & nicer looking) & then back braid the turnback under a couple of strands. This & the cutoff ends of the strands I drop are covered with the button. I think this is plenty stout as before I put the button on I hang it with a 20 # weight to dry & I've never had one pull apart. Thanks again, Buck

Thank you guys. Joe, I make most of my own rawhide, I have purchased some from Bill Confer & was always pleased with the quality, it just costs less to make my own as I get most of my hides for free. I used 1/8 strings 1/16 thick for the reins & romal & 3/32 about 1/32 thick for the buttons. Buck