megabit

Others have already made the standard book recommendations. You will get something from most all of them. Hought's books are step by step cook books, that works good when you have no idea what to do. The downside is that if you miss a step you can get real lost and they don't do a very good job of teaching you how to figure out the knots. Grant's books are very good at teaching you how to figure out things, but they can sure be a bear to follow until the light goes on then they maybe the best of the lot. One thing I haven't seen anyone recommend yet is go buy a bunch of paracord and practice practice practice. The paracord is great because you can use it over and over and use it to prototype things quickly. On the downside it is way more forgiving if you twist a string so it will teach you the braids and knots but doesn't help you keep your string rightside up. After you have some of the braids down start cutting up some hide, plan on lots of it going in the trash. Mike

Very nice indeed.

Looks good to me. What did you use for a core? Is the loop for the popper spliced on or do those strings feed into the rest of the mecate?

:ranting2: :ranting2: :ranting2: :ranting2: Wife left the dog in the house yesterday and he found the 4 slides on my bathroom counter and had a snack. :( :(

The two bosals I've done had braided cores. I don't recall what size strings I used. I do recall the first one ended up a little larger than I intended so I used smaller strings the next time. I think the size of string you use is going to depend on the target size of the bosal and if you plan to wrap the core or not. Some people will wrap the core with say chap leather to build it up some. I know others that will wrap it with tape more to make it stiffer than build it up though.

Turks head or Mathew Walker knot in the end of the rope. Guess that depends on what you mean by competitive roper. I don't think you'll see many of the rubber wrapped horn team ropers using them. While you will likely see lots of them at a Ranch Roping competition. That depends on a ranch where they use long ropes and slick horns you will likely see lots of them. Less so perhaps where short ropes tied hard and fast are the norm. They can do all of those things. They also make it easier to take the twist out of a long rope.

That looks pretty cool. How do you attache the buckle?

Actually all of them are beveled just the one is a bit more beveled than the others.

I don't know I mostly just tie my wild rag. The latigo would slip off to easy sometimes though, so I figure the rawhide should stay in place better.

I think that one is 7/16. They all have various sized Spanish ring knots as a foundation. I've used latigo before but I think I like just using a knot on a knot better.

swivel honda and scarf slides by ss1442, on Flickr

Those sure look nice.

Sorry no experience with tying hard and fast. I am from California land of take your dallys and slip some rope.

You would sure enough look funny with romals on a snaffle. For a snaffle I like twisted mane hair. But I generally leave the snaffle hanging on the wall and use a hackamore.

Oh and I really like that crocodile ridge bracelet. I am going to have to learn that braid I think it would make a nice set of hobbles or a hatband.

Thank you she is one hell of a good horse and has sure taught me a lot. I've only been riding about 4 years but I've got the bug pretty bad and ride typically 5 or 6 days a week generally. Kinda neat to ride with lots of stuff you've made yourself isn't it? Mike

Don't like Romal Reins? Sacrilegious! 10_aug15_hbrace224 by ss1442, on Flickr

Welcome, good looking work.

Thanks Brad, I think I'll give your process a try. Do you stretch your string before you cut it to size? I tend to cut mine to about 3/4 and stretch it between posts for a few days before I cut and split it to size. That takes a good amount of the stretch out. Mike

That one I just built to size.

Your work in roo is awesome Bevan. I am always open to barter. The only problem I see is most braided stuff I need or want I'd be inclined to give it a go myself. Trying to stir up trades between the braiders and the carvers/stampers might work better than braider 2 braider. Although I've been thinking maybe I should get a whip to crack, not sure that is a project I want to try to tackle. What type of project you figure has your best profit for your time invested? Doesn't have to be in rawhide. Speaking of rawhide you should try making a bosal with rawhide sometime, I think you would do fine.

Forty views and no one has any opinions on what projects are profitable? This place doesn't work very well if everyone just lurks in the shadows.

It seems to me that hondas and scarf slides have to be about the most profitable of the potential rawhide projects. I think with all the string prep and braiding I likely spend 2 to 3 hours doing a honda and maybe a hour on a scarf slide. I can sell a honda for $30 - $40 and a scarf slide for about $20. The bosals and the set of reins I made took me weeks of evening work (1 - 3 hours at a time). Good think I don't look for this to really make me any money, I'd starve to death. ;D Another quick question what style of honda do you find sells better San Juan or Mexican Swivel? Anyone do a Mexican Swivel in 8 strand vs 4? Mike

Thought I'd try my hand at a San Juan style honda, what do you think? San Juan Honda by ss1442, on Flickr San Juan Honda by ss1442, on Flickr

Do yo mean a honda / hondo like this? IMG_3369 by ss1442, on Flickr