rawhide1

Josh I've always been fascinated with braid work and the knots. Any kind of work wether it's a bosal, romal reins, quirt or a bracelet it just intrigues me. So I started building bracelets for my wife. And then folks would see them and I would build them one. Well then we had kids and stuff got put on the back burner. I would diddle with a little here and there but not much. It seems I always came back to it. My oldest daughter started showing western pleasure so I built here a headstall and some reins. Well folks would see that stuff and next thing I know I'm building stuff for them. We have seven head of horses on the place so there's always need for tack. Your right people have no idea what goes into building a piece. Any way that's kinda how I got started in this obsession. Now I'm so busy doing strap work I aint got time to braid. I think the most important thing is to know what your building and how it's going to be used. If a fella keeps after it everything else will fall into place. It's unreasonable to think your gonna produce great works of art right off but I don't think good useable working gear is out of the question. I started with precut tandy lace to learn my buttons and what not as I think learning to braid and build knots is enough of a challenge with out having to learn to cut strings at the same time. Just keep after it and it will come and you have this great site to help ya along. Best of luck, Mike

Nice! I'll just tell ya up front. I'm gonna copy those bracelets. Mike

Nick Not only will the width and #of strands effect the dia. But the thickness of the strands will play a role in the finished dia. I'm real guilty of not writing stuff down when I do it. Either I forget too or more likely I'm just to lazy. And since I dont braid alot of reins or cores for them I always use the figure it out as I go along method when I do build them. The good thing about a rein rounder is I can braid the cores bigger than needed and just keep running it through the rounder until I reach the desired dia. I know this doesn't answer your question but it's how I go about doing it. Hopefully someone will come along with a better answer. Best of luck, Mike

I like to use around a 1/4" rounded leather core. If I don't use the leather I'll braid some rawhide and run it though my rounder. As far as the dia. of the core I reckon it all depends on how big ya want the finished product. I don't have the contact info for the leather belting in front of me. But if ya want it I'll get it for ya. Mike

Howdy all I was wondering if anyone had any white scrap chap leather. I need it to be at least 3"x5" bigger would be great. If you do let me know the cost. Any and all help appreciated. Thanks, Mike

Excellent work. I to hope ya keep posting on this site. I enjoy your work and I bet your a wealth of knowledge. Mike

Enrique Very nice work. I'm always impressed with y'alls work from Argentina. Thanks for sharing and a big welcome to a great site. Mike

If you read the making rawhide by KAW some one says that salting rawhide will draw out the natural glues in the hide. Leaving you with rawhide that has no life. When I first started I was told never to salt a hide that your gonna rawhide. I reckon the reason is for the reason mentioned above. Mike

Joe Nice work and a great way to keep the antlers together! Mike

I thought maybe I could help ya out. But I don't think I have enough hide on hand to cut that much. Sorry Mike

Thank You and I'm looking forward to seeing the sporrans your building. Mike

Thanks Brother!!

Rob Thanks for the kind words. I did braid the tassels with the turks heads. It's a four strand braid the knots are six bight with a herringbone interweave covering horsehair. I have a new respect for people that lace edges. I like how the Mexican round braid looks but man it took forever. Mike

Howdy all This is a sporran I made for a fella I work with. It's the first one I've made. On the next one if there is one I'll do some stuff different. All input welcomed and encouraged on likes and dislikes. I dont know why some pictures are turned sideways. And I'm not sure on how to fix them. So I apologize for that. Mike

What color and how much are ya hunting. Mike

particle Thanks that worked like a charm. Clay Nice work as always. Mike

Clay Would it be possible to post a smaller picture. Thanks, Mike

There's no such thing as a dumb question. Heard that before. lol Heck everything worth's a try if it don't work your just out your time. And it would surly work to practice with. Best of luck and don't be shy about asking questions. Even though I'm not given ya very good answers. Mike

I've never used it myself. Are you making rawhide out of it. If so I think I read or heard that it's pretty stretchy but I could be wrong on that. But heck if it's it free give it a whirl it might work. Hopefully someone with more experience with it comes along. Keep us updated on the results. Mike

Shelly A very nice and detailed explanation. Mike

Jamie Instead of carrying this any farther as it does no good. I'm just going to wish ya the best of luck with your braiding. And leave it at that. Mike

hellfire jack I don't have time to play this game with you. As I've said before and someone please correct me if I'm wrong. But I've always done my best to help anyone that needed it. So sir I'm done with you. Mike

Hellfire Jack I don't feel one way or the other about you. It's funny I don't recall seeing you post in the braiding section before. So your first post I see isn't to help or ask a question but to make wise cracks and talk trash. I was done with this topic until you and barbie wanted to keep the negative talk going. I'm glad he's getting the help he was after by the good people. Mike

barbie Why do you keep after it. As far as I know nobody has ever been shot down or been made to feel embarrassed for asking a question. Instead of just saying hey I didn't mean it that way. You have to start talking trash about special clubs and other nonsense. If somebody stays in the shadows then that's on them. As far as I'm concerned if your gonna stir up trouble then by all means go back to lurking. Mike Southern

Hellfire jack It seems you like to start trouble as I've seen you being a ass in another post. You think my panties are in a wad then you can go pound sand!!!!!!!! When somebody asks for help and then specifies he wants answers from certain people. You can bet I wont add my two cents. I have always helped in anyway I can and will continue to do so for those that want it. It seems you and the OP want to keep beating a dead horse. If that's the case then by all means go back to lurking. Mike Southern