rawhider

Thanks everyone for the compliments! Alan, Thank you for the advise. I didn't put the last two ring knots on at the buyers request... Also, at the time I started them, I didn't have anything to bevel the strings with. I have one more set to do for this client, and I just got my Hansen String Cutter, so I'm gonna try and bevel those strings. Any suggestions on what kind of blades to use on the cutter? I was also wondering about soaping the strings. Wouldn't that make them stretch? Do you just soap them with regular saddle soap? ArtS, one of the big diffs in the two is that the roo hide is much softer, and more supple. I personally think that the rawhide holds up better, and I like the rawhide ones better.

Just finished up a set of romals for a customer. These are the first ones I've done out of kangaroo hide. they turned out pretty good, i've got a long way to go, tho. As you can see, I need some help with my photography too!

Yeah, I put in a bid on it this morning. Hope I win, I could really use it!

Next, measure your hole spaces between the two lines you marked and punch them out. Make sure to punch out two holes on each side of either end, aswell as a large hole on the line opposite the tapered end. Now, depending on how you want to lace it, fold the strap so you can lace up the holes on the back of the honda. I lace from both ends to ensure strength. Lase around untill you run out of holes. Now, you can either put the honda on a shaper, or you can cover a pair of pliers with a rag and flatten out the honda. This is up to oyu, I like the look of it.After you have the desired shape, you are almost done. All you need to do is secure your loose laceing ends. You can braid down a shaft, then interweave back up and turn a ring knot, or you can just do a ring knot, it's entirely up to you. Good luck, and post pics of yours.Now, all you have to do is secure your loose lacing ends. I braided down a shaft, then back braided it up, and ended with a ring knot. I've seen them with just a ring knot, it's totally up to you. Enjoy! I want to see pics of yours now!

Okay, here are a series of pics of making a folded honda. First, measure out a strap 1 1/2" by 8" or 9". Make a circle and overlap it about 1 1/2", then mark the ends. These marks will later tell you where to start your holes for the laceing and also where to cut the hole for the tapered end to go into.

It's gonna be tought for me to explain in words. I've got to build some more today. I'll post a series of pics showing how it's done. I have cut out rawhider's tutorial and pinned it here http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=6036 so it won't be lost in the middle of a thread. Thanks for doing this, rawhider! We appreciate it. Denise

Heres a couple hondas I built today. A freind of mine butchered hos heifer, and he gave me the hide, so I won't need rawhide for a while. The strings are great, but I learned that it's really important to flesh the hide out very well before it dries! the moister content was so inconsistant that I took a sanding wheel on my grinder and sanded off the fat and membrane on the larger peices I still had to cut.... ANYWAY here are the pics of the hondas. The folded one is actually really nice. It really gives alot of weight to the loop.

Does anyone have one, or know where I can get my hands on a used Hansen string cutter. I know it's probably a dumb question. Once you get your hands on one you probably don't want to get rid of it, but I thought I'd ask.

Well, I don't use a Hansen. I'm hoping to buy one shortly, so I can't offer you any advice on using that particular machine. However, it is important to know what you are cutting. Roo Hide, leather, rawhide...? Sharp blades are a must with any cutting tool, as is proper and consistant tension. Maybe someone else can help with the specifics.

I'm wondering where folks on here get mohiar and yak hair cordage. I'm just trying to find a supplier that has more "economic" prices. Thanks!

Well, I talked to Bill, he was very felpful. The prices were a little more than I want to spend, though. I'm wondering if the quality of his hides are any better than say Zack White, who is about $50 per hide cheaper. Has anyone who used both seen any sort of quality difference?

Thanks guys! I'll give them a call tomorrow.

Like the description says, I hadn't expected to be so busy, so I ran out of string. I need to find at least one full hide of either pre-cut string or just a hide I can cut. Any one lnow where I could find good rawhide? I hate doing this, but I'm in a pinch!

...yeah, thanks for the help...

As the title says, I'm looking for Bulldog Tap patterns. Thanks in advance!

That's pretty ingenious. I use a small planer to split my rawhide strings. I'm looking at buying one, but I need to sell a few for bosals and reins to buy one!

Thanks everyone for the compliments. Grumpyguy, this bosal is for a client of mine. Here is a picture of my horse with the bosal I made for him. However, the first bosal I made him was 5/8", and a little too small. On young horses, I like to use a 3/4" bosal to start, then as you progress, you get smaller. I do use a shaping block, just a 2x4, about 5" long with the edges rounded off. Carr52, I do cut my own strings. As you can see in the picture, the side pieces you saw are the hanger. The hanger is basicaly the headstall, but much simpler. The reins are tied onto the bosal at teh heel knot, where the two cheek pieces come together. There is a specific way to tie the reins, and traditionally a long continuous rein call a "mecate" is used. one end is tied along with a section in the middle, creating a loop rein and about a 12' lead rope. Bosals where used long before the advent of the snaffle bit. That lead rope sure came in handy if you got bucked off a young horse. The rope is tucked under the belt of you chaps, and if you came off, you still had hold of your mount.

Here is a bosal I just finished. Pretty basic, with navy roo lace interwoven.

Thanks so much for the tutorial, Alan. I'm just finishing up a bosal for a lady, and I wish I'd seen this on the noseband before I built it. Can't wait to try it out!

What a great opportunity! Congrats, Alan! Love all the input. This forum is blessed to have so many skilled craftsman who are willing to share what they've learned.

Great post! Thats how i've done most of my hides, but I love seeing how other folks do it. I always learn something new. Question: What is the purpose of soaking the hide in a water/vinegar mix after you've slicked the hair?

HAHAHA! Thats funny! Never thought of that before... Well, I think with a couple of pieces of tool steel and a drill bit set, one could be made pretty easily, so I'll give it a try.

I need to find a tool that will turn flat leather strap into round leather straps for cores. Any advice? I've used my edgers, but it doesn't get it perfectly round.

thanks all! Luke, i figured they took me about 12 hours or so, that doesn't include getting the patterns for the carving and stuff. i'll try and get some clearer pics of them, and some of the front and the other side. on the inside flap,i just did a running W border.

here are some new taps that i just finished. took me a while, working on them an hour at a time, but they are finally done!