megabit

Well I had to terminate it somehow. It isn't a loop and back braid, it goes 8 - 4 - 8.

It feels ok, a little on the stiff side yet but I think I should be able to get it more supple with some work. For the small buttons I'll use 4 strand ring knots. I push 2 strands threw the body at right angles and tie the ring knots, I don't think they will move.

Yes, this is the one I mentioned in the other thread. Eight plait of about 1/4" wide and fairly thick rawhide over paracord. Four plait of that size over no core would be how you make a reata, I don't think my dog is going to break this one. Thank you.

Here is a leash I made for my wife awhile back. Eight plait rawhide.

My progress so far on my reins. Four plait for the reins over belting leather and 8 plait over a 4 plait rawhide core.

So basically you start out o1u1 and change to o2u2 after the first row?

Hey, I am working on my first set of romal reins. I'll try to get some progress pics up soon. I have the body of the reins and romal done and am getting ready to start putting the buttons on. That brings me to my question, what do you guys prefer for the ground work on the long buttons? Lattigo? Veg tan? Series of ring knots close together? Thanks, Mike

Looks great Brian.

I did a leash for my wife and used 550 cord for the core. My dog is fairly good sized but I don't think he will be breaking the leash. Oh did I mention I covered the core with 8 strands of rawhide, I think my hand would come off before the leash broke. I don't think I ever posted any pictures of the leash, I'll have to see about taking some pics to put up here.

Nice work Brian.

Never seen one quit like that. Sure looks kinda neat, how does that doubled cheek work on a horse? Or is this a display piece? The braiding is awesome.

Yes, I've used them. The first one turned out the nicest of the two I have made. I used it until I got the second one done. The 1st was 7/16th and was a little big to use under a bridle, so I made the second one that is about 3/8 and I use as part of a two rein. I ended up redoing the nose button on the second one which meant I had to redo the heel knot too. They both seem to work good. When I got the second one re-done it was ruffing up the hair under the nose button a little. I thought great now the dang thing isn't any good. I was able to put some moisture in it and beat the snot out of it with my pounding stick and it is smoother now. Works great. Mike

This is in Grant's book, look under Mexican Swivel Honda (IIRC).

Wow I really like the looks of that bosal.

Very nice job, like always.

Cool that would sure make for one fancy halter. Seems like it might work good for a halter you were going to use to ride in, would give you kind of a heel knot. So how much more rope do you need to make a halter using that knot? I generally use 20' -22' with a standard fiador knot.

Wow that looks pretty dang good to me.

Very nice job.

Great work.

I get my rawhide from Bill Confer at Tejas Industries. His phone is 806 364 0951 or 800 858 4384.

Yea I was sorta getting to that conclusion too. I actually think I can get it apart and back together. I remembered that I tied two ring knots around the body strings. I tied a large one that I wrapped the body strings around and then tied a small one around the strings coming out the bottom. So I should have enough length to get it re-wrapped. Like I said before if it was just the wrong pattern I would live with it (I am kinda starting to like the way it looks). But I don't want to take a chance on making my mare's nose sore because the center swell is to abrupt. I'll tear it apart after I get done with the braided hanger I am working on.

I've been looking closer at my heel knot and I have one string that is way off pattern. That and Alan feels that the swell in the nose button needs to have a smoother transition to keep from creating a pressure point and soring my horse's nose. I could live with the gaucho pattern but I don't want to sore my horse. What are the chances of being able to redo the nose button without completely undoing the heel knot? I am afraid I won't be able to get it back together if I take it back apart.

Longer thicker burners, I think I can do that. Thanks for the help.

Thanks, 2 interweaves on the heel knot. So When you do a second one it needs to be u3o3 a third interweave would be u4o4...

Looks good.