HorsehairBraider

@oltoot oh heavens! I can't recall now. When I'm braiding a project like this I always cut way more than I need, because sometimes there are minor flaws that I find when I start assigning strings to braid a certain section. I don't like a flawed piece of string in my projects so I discard that part. Sometimes the lengths that result from cutting out the flaw are useable, sometimes not. My rule of thumb is 1.5 the braided length. So if I need a braided length of 12", I use 18" strings. Sometimes I add a few inches more, "just in case". Nothing worse than running out of length of strings, when you have not yet reached the correct length for the braided piece! But basically it's experience, the tension that you have in your hands, that will tell you the correct length of strings. @oltoot oh heavens! I can't recall now. When I'm braiding a project like this I always cut way more than I need, because sometimes there are minor flaws that I find when I start assigning strings to braid a certain section. I don't like a flawed piece of string in my projects so I discard that part. Sometimes the lengths that result from cutting out the flaw are useable, sometimes not. My rule of thumb is 1.5 the braided length. So if I need a braided length of 12", I use 18" strings. Sometimes I add a few inches more, "just in case". Nothing worse than running out of length of strings, when you have not yet reached the correct length for the braided piece! But basically it's experience, the tension that you have in your hands, that will tell you the correct length of strings. @oltoot oh heavens! I can't recall now. When I'm braiding a project like this I always cut way more than I need, because sometimes there are minor flaws that I find when I start assigning strings to braid a certain section. I don't like a flawed piece of string in my projects so I discard that part. Sometimes the lengths that result from cutting out the flaw are useable, sometimes not. My rule of thumb is 1.5 the braided length. So if I need a braided length of 12", I use 18" strings. Sometimes I add a few inches more, "just in case". Nothing worse than running out of length of strings, when you have not yet reached the correct length for the braided piece! But basically it's experience, the tension that you have in your hands, that will tell you the correct length of strings.

Beautiful work, Vitaly.

Huh, something I actually know about... My husband builds guitars. Normally they are made of plastic. But I know some are bakelite. He buys from is a company called Stewart MacDonald... Here is a link: Pick guard materials They are pretty thin, I would think any really thin yet rigid material would work. I can ask him tomorrow, when he is back from work, if just a piece of leather by itself would work. I can't remember if these cover up electronics or not. Well, he will know!

Hi Christy A - I might be able to help you out here. I'm a horsehair braider but also work leather. Are you able to PM me on this site? I would need a lot more information: How much hair do you have? Is it mane hair or tail hair? and so on. Whatever you decide to do, best of luck in getting a piece made that will commemorate your horse.

Thank you, rcsaddles, I appreciate the reply.

I would say they are hitching. That is what I always see. Sadly I can not help you as I am strictly a braider. Hitching is a wonderful technique but I simply don't do it. Best of good fortune to you in learning how!

I have not been able to find the time to post here in ages. But this spring I made a headstall for someone and thought I'd share some pics. It's made of roo that I cut, skived and beveled. The knots have a foundation or casa of white horsehair and the interweave is the roo, cut down and skived finer. I cored the braids with a nice strong cord, "just in case". This was really a great project. I don't often have the opportunity to work this large. Also putting in a pic of it on the horse it was built for.

I have a cutter/skiver/beveler like you describe made out of aluminum... I bought it on eBay from the maker. His name was Clint Sims and for a while anyway he was a member here and I believe his handle here was "White Buff". I've not been around much myself, so I don't know if he is still around.

Nice work!

I've used tape, and it stays just fine. Have also used a collar made of scrap leather... you can make these any size etc. and you can smooth the ends nice. Usually, when I want the knot to slide, I put it on a leather collar, smooth or skin side down against the work, flesh side against the braiding. You can also just glue them down if they are supposed to stay still.

Most of the time people take horsehair and hitch it over the end. However some use rawhide or something and tie a pineapple knot. Personally, I just tie the knot in hair. But pretty much no one else does that. I think most people use one of the two techniques mentioned above.

Nice work! Good luck in finding "time", lol!

Nice work as always and happy birthday! Yeah just you wait - you start working in silver too and you will have no more "free time" on your hands! Folks will be lined up for blocks!

How cool. I so admire this type of work. I would love to be able to do some of it in miniature.

Nice to see this. Great work! Must be an absolute pleasure to use it.