Opagon

I stick my rawhide in the freezer when I dont have time to use it. It keep the moisture content and saves time. Heather

For the Flat rawhide, I just increased the number of strings to eight in an O,U,O,U on the right and U,O,U,O,U on the left. I started the 8 plait round and braided down until I got the length I wanted the then just started the flat braid sequence. Nothing fancy or mysterious just need to practice getting the tension correct. I did the opposite after getting my length for the flat. Doing it this way leaves on side higher than the other by one strand. If someone knows of a different way of doing it I am all ears. Keep Braiding, Heather

Ok, having way to much fun with hatbands. So much so that I am not getting my other work done.... Thanks for the nice words, you guys make me feel all warm and fuzzy:) So this is "The One", my favorite design, its adjustable and in rawhide. I used all 3/32 string and swore a whole bunch while beveling both sides but I think it was worth it. I still need some work in my transitions but nothing a bit more practice wont fix. Keep Braiding, Heather

Filling in the time between loads of laundry. Rawhide is a 8 plait flattened with 3/32 strings for the knots and the other is a 6 plait flat braid in Kangaroo. Keep Braiding, Heather

I have seen some like those at U-Braid it. Tophand also carries ferrules. Heather

This is how I go about it, the condensed version anyway: I generally only make my own when the hide is free so I end up buying more than I make. Once the side is here, I make sure the husband is not home and draw a luke warm bath. I place my side in the tub and let sit for 15/20 min. I sometimes grab the large rocks from my daughter's rock collection as use them to keep the hide under the water. As the hide starts to soften I start to work the kinks out. Once it is flexible enough, I remove it from the tub, pat dry and then I cut my circles out of the side. From there they get placed in a bag and left to case or are allowed to dry and placed in storage. I use a heavy duty scissors if I dont have enough time to let it case the way I want as the husband has seen rawhide in the kitchen sink before. I then resoak my harder circles for another 5 to 10 and then wrap them in a 3mm garbage bag and let them sit for a night. If the feel is still not right (to hard) I run more warm water over them and the return them to the bag for another 4 hours. **Just make sure that you dont leave any puddles on the rawhide or in the bag.** If it has become too soft I let it sit out before I make strings. I have also found that if I soap and cream the circles before cutting that I can keep the moisture content where I want it. After my strings have been cut, split and beveled I either let them dry for stroage or place them in the freezer until I am ready to braid. If you place your strings in the house freezer make sure you mark your bags to avoid the "why is the spaghetti not cooking right" question. Keep Braiding, Heather

If looking at slickfork's set up - Which is so cool!!! - you can see that it cuts on the outside edge. The lace master needs a hole cut into the center of the hide and then you work your way back out. I really hate having to cut a hole in the center of my expensive hides wasting a bit of the best part. grrrr.... Keeping Braiding, Heather

I am currently using the lace master - I find it handy that I can move it around and it works great when working on small amounts. I have been cutting alot of hides lately and I feel like I am wasting more than I should be if I had a cutter that worked from the outside in. Just my 2 cents.... Keep Braiding, Heather

I use a similar method as Horsehair but with a soft wire that holds shape. I mold the wire around the nose of my horse as if it was my bosal and take my measurements. I keep thinking about use the same wire shape to make a block for the bosal for when its not on a horse but my wood working skills are shall we say, lacking. Keep Braiding, Heather

Very cool idea! I do something very similar for my hat bands. Keep Braiding, Heather

Looking good Rob! Every time you post I see improvement, absolutely wonderful! Keep Braiding. Heather

I use a leather collar so I can shave it to the shape I want. Keep Braiding, Heather

No offense taken Mike - She wanted something with a little "grab" to it so it wouldn't slip in her hands. When I asked about the knots for the slobbers she said make it match. The Customer is always right...lol Speaking of the customer always being right, I sent the pics to the lady and TX and there wasn't enough red so I added more. Skip - I use leather belting as a core unless I am trying to get a really soft feel then I will use a high test climbers rope. Megabit - there is a reason I didnt photograph the front of the slobber straps ...lol... They need lots and lots of work. I think I will be buying them from now on.... Thanks Horsehair, I really like the concept but as I said my slobber straps need lots of work. Keep Braiding, Heather

Had some fun orders come in and thought that I would share. 10 ft long trail reins in 12 plait kangaroo with rawhide knots and slobber straps - She wanted a little color so I added some green to the grab knots and the knot marking center. Headstall for a lady in TX - I really enjoy the red and cant wait for her to send me pictures of it on her horse. Keep Braiding, Heather

Go to "Bosal tutorial, Reprise" here on the site. Starting at post three is the set up that you want. I kept the strings equal length and use an over one under pattern. Make sure that you are keeping the strings very tight. When you get to the bottom you need to either tuck the strings under three to finish or pull the strings evenly to the bottom of the lever and finish with a knot. Hope this helps.... Keep Braiding, Heather

They both started out at 3 feet long.

Thanks for all the nice words - Bottom pic is 10 strands in 1/4th width and the top is 8 strands in 3/16th width. Both are done in a over one under one pattern. The hide used was a 5oz chap. I thinned it down to about 2 1/2 oz on the 8 strand as i wasnt happy with the feel of the 10 strand which I thinned to 4 oz. The 10 strand just seemed to have too much bite to it. I conditioned them both with a cream given to me from the local bike shop just for outdoor leather. I have no idea what it was called cause the lable was missing. It smelled like a combo of bees wax and mink oil. If I was to do them again I think I would opt for an automotive grade leather. Hope that helps and I will try to post some pics of some of the newer items made. Keep Braiding, Heather

In Gail's Book - The basics Revised Edition - she covers how to make the knots longer (Long pineapple). It has clear instructions and photos for visual learners along with helpful hints to keep beginners on track. It also shows how to add an interweave of contrasting color. (Maybe I should try to get on her Sales team...lol) Keep Braiding- Heather

Thats one lucky little girl - nice job Heather

A Wisconsin opinion: We have alot of dairy cows and beefers which are not considered the best for makeing rawhide. Hides are usually claimed and always cost something if you go to a slaughter house. I have called dairy farmers to ask if they could call me if ever they have an old dairy cow go down or if they loose a calf. I have been hung up on and looked at funny but mostly my number is lost in the trash or forgotten thanks to the hands on the clock going round. Our humidty and temparture places interesting time frames as to when the best rawhide can be made. I have found based on Cost, time and energy it is easier to for me to buy my rawhide. The only time I make my own Rawhide is if I come across free ones (on or off the cow) during early spring or late fall. What I have found: Cleaning fat from the hide is best done while it is warm from the cow. Always have the right size frame for your hide. (And built of something very strong or reinforced) Pulling a hide from a dairy cow is best done with a truck and a bobcat/tractor. Keep Braiding, Heather

I only had one day to get the 2 sets out as he was heading to some show. ( He was very lucky that I had one black chap hide left in storage.) The tassels are part of the braid; I wasn't sure how else to do it. He liked the look, so I ran with it. I have seen some that are wrapped on the ends but dont know the method used. I went to a local bike resale/parts store and picked up another set to play with in hopes that I can figure it out. (Bottom pic is 10 strands in 1/4th width and the top is 8 strands in 3/16th width) Just glad it wasn't another bracelet.....lol Heather

A friend came over with some levers for me to braid on. This was a first for me and for the most part I like how they turned out. It was really nice getting a chance to braid something that wasnt a headstall or some more bracelets. Keep Braiding, Heather

I concur with Hedge - take more passes until you get the thickness you want.

I like to use the 4 to 8, 16 to 4 - 4's Idea when making Lanyards for bird calls. Keep playing with it and I am sure you will find a use. Nicely done! Keep Braiding, Heather

Wonderful example of what one can do with scraps. Nicely done!! Heather