rawhide1

millwright I did get the hide. I got it stretched today and fleshed. I'll start working on dry scraping the hair tommorrow as I didn't get everything gathered to use the water method. I'm taking pictures as I go along. Mike

Jim Thanks for the instructions. I have one I haven't messed with yet. I think I probably ruined the other one. I'll do the the other one by following your instructions. What happens if ya don't salt them and what is and were do ya get alum. Thanks, Mike

Well the good news is the calf is doing fine as of now. But we did have to put my daughters horse down today. He could of had a couple of things going on but we didn't feel we could spend the kind of money that was needed to do all the tests. He could hardly stand and wasn't drinking water. He carried his head at a odd angle and just didn't have any balance and he was going down hill pretty quick. The vet said it could be a tumor,EPM, rabies or a few other things. I guess the bottom line was it was going to cost major bucks to maybe find out what was wrong and then no way of knowing if we could get him over whatever it was that was ailing him without spending a ton of money. So we had him put down and their going to test for rabies. Which hes had his shots every year except last yr. We got this horse as a colt for my oldest daughter when she was two. She will be ten next month so she's taking kind of hard. But I know she will get thru it. So it's been a pretty tough couple months out here on my daughters animals. And I may still have to put her calf down. Anyway Thanks for letting me vent my troubles on y'all. Mike

I just got some bull buffalo pizzles. I'm going to have a go at drying them. Not to sure as to the method as I can't find much on them. I know I will need to insert a rod to help it stay stiff(no pun intended) But it will be touch and go as far as twisting it and drying it. I'll let ya know how it turns out!!! Mike

Jake That makes a lot of sense!! Your right when adding a bight I always come up next to the standing end. I'm going to move it over closer to the other string. WOW I have a few things to try different. Thanks for your help. Mike

HorsehairBraider I hear what your saying about keeping it even from the get go. I reckon I just need to double my efforts in that regard. And that hoping everything will come out allright in the end always gets me.LOL I did get the knot straightened out it was a pain but I got it done. When I do the other side I'll make sure everything is even after each bight. Thank you for your time and help. Mike Alan The dreaded word practice LOL. I need a lot of it. After looking at the knot I think if the angle of my strings had been steeper it might of worked better. I'll have to try it on the other side. Thanks for the help Mike

Howdy all I was wondering if anybody else ever has trouble with the foundation getting crowded on one side when adding bights. It seems I've always had this happen but I just straighten it out before my interweaves. But on this knot it seems really bad I tried to move strings around as I added a bight. But after I made it a eight bight it really got crowded on one side. So is there any thing I can do different or does anyone have any tricks. Or I'm I stuck on trying to move this mess around and always having this problem. Any and all help appreciated. Thanks, Mike Sorry if the pics are big!

well I reckon ya can go buy whatever ya want! Mike

UKRay, ruthless I always just used them as they come with the centering spike left on. When ya wack it with a rawhide mallet it will drive right thru. I reckon a person could grind it off with no harm being done. Mike

ruthless If ya decide to do this get yourself some spade bits I think their called (flat wood drilling bits) Use the same width of bit as the leather strap your working on. If your leather is 3/4" wide use a 3/4" bit to punch your slit in the center. Works great!! Mike

I think some folks need to lighten up!! I thought it was pretty funny!! Mike

bluebeard I wish I could help but I don't know what your describing. Do you have a picture of the above mentioned knot. I don't have Morgans book either. But maybe with a picture we could figure it out. As far as the embossing go I'm no help there either. Wish ya luck!! Mike

Johanna That's cool!! Lets get back to leather or rawhide!!! Mike

Johanna I think it would be a good section. After all it would give people a place to go and talk about stuff that aint leather related. Even if it was to vent. I think it should also be set up like the adult section. But like any thread on here if ya dont like it dont read it. I enjoy this site more than anyone will ever know due to it being about leather. But I do get quite a laugh out of some of the non leather related topics. I think were all adults and should be able to post our opinions and thoughts without being shut down. With that being said Johanna you brought this site to life so I'm good with whatever ya decide.

Alan Great looking handle! I really like the change in pattern. Is there a book that shows how to switch from pattern to pattern. Mike

Alan Nice looking hatband!! It good to see more of your work. Mike

Tom congratulations!!! Mike

Good luck Jordan!! Mike

Clint That is a nice looking cutter/bevler. You've done a great job on building it!! And the price is real reasonable kind of makes me wish I didn't already have a cutter/bevler. Once again great job! Mike

I think your best bet would be to get one of Bruce Grants books. I don't think I could explain it clear enough. Maybe there is someone on here that could though. But I think you will need a basic understanding of braiding and how to build knots. I wish ya luck!! Mike

Kathy Thanks for the words of encourgement. It's kind of amazing that when a critter gets hurt they just go on about life the best they can. If ya think about it most people would bitch and moan and lay down and die. But these critters just aint got any quit in them. So maybe that will carry him through. He's been eating grain and hay and we took him off of the antibotics. I reckon we'll just keep after it. Mike

leatherworklee Thank you for your thoughts. I really think 4H is a great program also and well worth a kids time. Even if they get involved in a non livestock aspect of the club. Not only has my daughter learned to be more responsiable with her calf. But due to project talks she talks better than I ever will in front of a group. That damn silly calf is running and bucking around like a nut. So there might be hope for him yet!! Only time will tell. I wish your grandson well with his sheep. Mike

Heather Nice looking work on both hatbands!! But I must admit I'm more partial to the rawhide one! Thanks for sharing your work. Mike

Major The whip looks nice. I like how the concho turned out. When ya say ya casted them does that mean you made them your self. Nice work all around! Mike

Josh I like the one on the right!!! Mike