rawhide1

Do ya have pictures of both sides. I'm not sure how thick 1mm is but if it's real thin it might be roo I don't know just a guess. If not roo works good for lacing or braiding. It's real strong for being so thin. Mike

I personally like Halloween I get a real kick out of taking my kids around. The one and only thing I miss about living in town is not getting trick or treaters. It's neat to see the kids dressed up and they get such a smile on their faces. Sadly I'm on duty for Halloween this year so the wife will have to take the kids by herself. Although she will bring them by the station so I can see them. And yes their are some kids out causing trouble and using Halloween as an excuse to raise hell. But a lot of that could be stopped by their parents taking a belt to their butts. And their are some grown weirdos out there and that could be stopped by a short piece of rope and a tall tree. I don't know how it is other places but around here some towns will block off a certain amount of main street and the business plus the cops and us(fire dept.) will hand out candy so kids don't have to go to houses. Which in my opinion ruins it them kids and their parents are packed in there tighter than bark on a tree. So we still take our kids house to house. And there are a lot of people especially older folks who look forward to seeing the kids. Wether ya like it or not have a SAFE and HAPPY HALLOWEEN and be on the look out for little ones crossing the street. Mike

Steve Thanks a bunch for the info. it's much appreciated. Mike

I was wondering if anybody had a idea on who the maker of this saddle is. Or maybe about what year it was made. I dont see a makers mark on it. But I thought maybe the tooling and shape would be enough for somebody to make a guess. The wife said all she knows about it is it was her dads first saddle and he really dont know any more about it than that. So any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Mike

BUBBA If ya go down a couple of topics before this one to one titled button knots and back splicing. Work your way down through the thread I posted a picture of wall and crowning four strands it might help ya out. I think thats what your looking for. Good luck, Mike

Fathers Son Thank you for the link and info. I'll have to keep them in mind if I do another one. I have a picture posted of the finished knife a few replys back. Mike

steveh Thanks a bunch! Mike

Thanks fellas Now I just need to put it to the stone. Mike

Well I got the handle put on. I used oak because I had some and some copper tubing for the same reason. RWB even tho I drilled my holes before shaping I still managed to drill out the side. I didn't realize this until I started shaping the handle. I figure I can fill it with putty if it starts bothering me. The tang and ferrule fit so tight I didn't use any glue mainly because I didn't want to go to town and get any. So I drilled a hole through the handle and tang and pinned it. I'm pretty happy on how it turned out especially with the tools I used (cordless drill, belt sander, compound miter saw, and a palm sander) It's kinda of like me not as pretty as most but it will work.LOL I want to say a BIG THANK YOU to everyone for there advice on helping me get this done. Mike

Can't wait to see the pics. And just so ya know working with rawhide has caused some to drink and cuss more!! Mike

TTcustoms Thanks for the links and advice. Now I hope I don't screw it up if I do ya probably wont see any pictures.LOL Once again thanks I appreciate everyone taken the time to help me out. Mike

Steveh I did notice the barbs and was wondering if they drilled the hole small and short and then forced the tang into it. I didn't want to have to force the tang that much and run the chance of missing up the knife edge. I think I'll start with the 1/16"bit and move up if it's to tight. I figured either the jb weld or expoxy will hold her good. Thanks for the help I'll have to post a picture when I get er done. Mike

kytim Thanks for the info. and the kind offer it's much appreciated. I think I'll try that copper I have laying around. If I can't get that to work I may hollering at ya. Mike

RWB Thanks for the help I was wondering if I should shape before drilling. After reading your reply I think I'll drill first and then shape. The original handle was all cracked and busted. But seeing as I only paid 25 bucks for the knife I figured I could attempt to put a handle on it. Mike

Thanks ART I just happen to have some copper laying around. So I reckon I'll give that a go. Mike

I'm looking for a little help on putting a new handle on a rose round knife. My big question is what do you use for the ferrule. Do you make your own (from what)or buy them already made(from where). And any other pointers on drilling the handle or anything else ya can think of to make this project easier. All and any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks, Mike

I have a nice #4 cs osborne saddlery punch for sale. I'm asking $30.00 plus $4.95 for shipping in the USA can ship outside US but will be more. The anvil and tube are in good shape the only thing wrong with it is the spring on the handle is broke. I don't know if this can be replaced or not. It appears to be a old one it's marked cs osborne & co Newark NJ on the top jaw. On the bottom jaw it's stamped steel ESTD 1826. That should help someone who knows about such things date it . Thanks, Mike

I'm selling a bunch of stuff I don't need. I'll do my best to describe the stuff but feel free to give me a holler if ya need more info. I really don't want to split this up. I would like $125.00 or best offer plus shipping I think they will fit in a small or medium flat rate box. Thanks, Mike Hole punches #12 WM Johnson INC. Newark, NJ USA, #12 HF Osborne Newark, NJ, #14 CS Osborne Co. , #8 CS Osborne & Co. Newark, NJ , #13 unmarked, 1/8" M-F-Co made in USA, Rampart tool Co. sizes #12,(2)#11,#10,#5and one size I can't make out, and there are two with what looks like a nut on top that I can't make out, two unmarked 4 hole lacing punches. Some of the punches could use some sharping as there are a few nicks on a few of them. But it's nothing that couldn't be fixed with a stone or file. Bag punches Rampart-Tool-Co. 1" bag punch,1/2" bag punch 6 swivel knives with 4 being adjustable large pair of dividers unmarked 9 thonging chisels some misc. snap setting stuff

Russ I don't think ya will lose that much especially with only using three strands and it being a flat braid. It will also depend on the length your braiding and how thick your leather is. I would guess no more than three inches at the most(disclaimer- I've been wrong before). Because after you get done braiding you should set the braid by running it over a piece of pipe and pulling back and forth on it(grain side). Not only will it set your braid but you will get some length back by pulling the stretch out of it. You could always leave your billet end a few extra inches long in case you needed the length after braiding. Let us know how it turns out. (remember my disclaimer) Mike

I apologize for any confusion I may have caused by my miss use of terminology. Mike

bluebeard No problem and I do apologize for getting your handle wrong. I must of had one of those moments that my wife calls having my head in my butt!! Good luck to ya. Mike

greybeard I don't know if this will help but here are a few pictures of a bracelet I'm working on. The first picture is of me crowning the the four strands. I know your using eight so just pick four strands to crown and and build your crown around the other four. Or you could double your strands when you crown them. But as Rob said it gets kinda of hard to get the knot pulled down tight plus you'll have a bigger knot to cover. The second picture shows the four strands crowned and pulled down. The third picture shows me covering the crown with a turks head out of roo. I will then cover this with a pineapple knot out of rawhide. But there are several knots you could use to cover the turks head. Mike

Vikefan I had the same problem. I was told to wash or burn the steel wool I chose to burn it because it's more fun. I then put it back in the vinegar for a few days. I then strained the mix thru some coffee filters. My mix didn't have much color at all but it sure turned the piece I dipped in it coal black. I also had a few old nails in the mix. Mike

bluebeard I agree about the book mentioned as being a great source to have if ya plan on doing any braiding. But if ya don't have the money to buy the book and ya don't understand something by all means ask until ya do. It wasn't that long ago that I had to keep asking questions to finally figure something out. And I know there's other folks on here who have done the same that's what this place is all about. So if I can help I will as will others. Keep after it and you'll get it. Mike

Johanna Thank you for taking the time to take and post these pictures. I really enjoyed looking at them. Mike