KWosnig

Great information, good site. Information on horses is amazing. I also liked the information on the tools and storage solutions. Thanks for posting.

Nice braid. Am thinking of doing similar. Just a thought. For Spanish edge lacing, estimate 7 times length of braid, so just thinking the conquistador is similar looping, I am guessing at 7 times length and then multiply by number of runs, usually four. However, you could make it wider and have as many runs as you desire or can afford.

Well, seems like the place to view. Sign me up.

I use a heavy duty vise, jaws capped with leather to hold my stuff. I do not have the space for a stitching pony. If cost is a factor or space, find a vise from a hobby shop and attach it to a table and cover the jaws with leather. Just my two cents.

Have no idea if this will help. There is a outfit in Seattle, Washington, USA. They might be able to assist. If you know the thread pitch, length of screw, diameter of screw. They may be able to locate one, when I was there last year, They helped with an old Necchi machine I rebuilt, seemed like they had bins and bins of parts. Link- chholderby.com

Hi Mitchel, I suggest either joining a Boy/Girl scout troop or going to a Tandy leather store and finding out if they have classes. Making armor or other large projects is a fairly intense activity. Go online to Tandy Leather Factory, Springfield Leather and others. Tandy Store in Shoreline(Seattle) has classes once a week, get hold of them. Update your profile to show where you live, so anyone who lives nearby may be able to assist with answers. Good luck!

Thanks, I haven't finished sharpening process yet. I wanted to avoid cutting myself while braiding handles, after I finish the head knife handle(about 1/2 way now)I will wrap handles in plastic wrap and tape over that, then proceed with sharpening. I am using a vixen to cut the chamfers, then a three stone process and final stropping, then use it. I started with some simple handles and then decided I needed better ones. The screws make changing it simpler. I went with a full tang, I thought about just driving a tang into a file handle or something, but I am partial to full tangs. I have a couple of Japanese bayonets from 60-70 years ago and they were the examples I had in mind. I am originally from Pueblo. Been in NW since 1972.

This is what the Head knife looks like now.

I have the sharpening process to perform on the head knife yet, however this is what I came up with. I used oak for the handle and screws and nuts to attach. Next few will be what it is now.