megabit

Progress continues here is the nose button ground work build up about half done: And the build up about done but for the guidelines:

A bit more progress. I think I like the bigger ground work in the middle one minute and think I'll cut it off and make a matching knot to the outside ones the next. What do you guys think? Three matching knots or leave the middle one larger?

Ok, here is a bit more progress. First a shot of the core while I was plaiting it: And then after I finished it. I am much happier this time around. It has a little twist to it and it is 7/16 when I was really shooting for 3/8 but I think it will get the job done. I certainly covers better than the first attempt. Comments, criticisms, suggestions? Thanks for looking, Mike

I have a old osborne with a steel handle I got off ebay. That goofy blade is a pain to sharpen and I am sure it getting dull was part of my problem. I though hey I'll just stick a utility knife blade in it, nope won't fit. Then I though hey I have a old slipjoint pocket knife sitting right here and I stuck that in (razor sharp) and things started going a bit better. I don't know if I will even bother with the osborne blade anymore. It is sure as hell easier to sharpen the pocket knife. Do you have a trick to sharpening the drawgauge blade?

Thinking about ordering one of these and covering the bone handle with a big button: http://www.crazycrow...ode=841-400-000 Then I would need to make or have made a better sheath maybe a cross draw front hip or one of the tuck in the belt gaucho style sheaths. What do you guys think? My hands are a bit sore this morning, last night I cut down the biggest disk I have ever made. I think I must have a 150' - 200' piece of rawhide now just wish the width was more even. Is it just me or is a draw gauge tough to use? Mike

Well after thinking I'd just finish it then that I should redo it and then that I'd just finish it... I think I'll redo it. I haven't done anything on it in like two weeks, I got the damn flu and haven't felt like doing anything. I am starting to feel human again and worked on cutting some new string last night. Man I sure am having trouble getting split down to what I would like though. I have this hide that had lots of black gunk on the flesh side. I would like to get it all split off so the string isn't black and I don't trust the black gunk not to cause problems if left. I either get too much bite and split down to paper thin or get almost no bite and don't scrap anything off. Anyone else ever have that problem? I have a big disk of a better hide that I soaked last night, I may just use it instead. Mike

Without a doubt math can solve this, but I think most work off experience.

True enough, but this one was for a move down in size on a older horse I started over in the spring.

I am undecided if I think the core plaiting is good enough or if I will cut it off and try again. I think the string is a touch too small in width and a bit to thick for the size I was wanting as well. I was shooting for 3/8 but this is more like 7/16 or 15/32. Oh and it does have a bit of twist to the pattern too. I am trying to decide between finishing it out for practice and then doing another one to use or redoing it trying to get it right. Thoughts? The braided core: Here is the covered core with 8 plaits:

I am working on my first bosal. I have my core braided up and 8 strings cut and beveled to cover it. Now how do I get the braid started? Do you guys just try to hold everything in hand? Clamp it down in a vice? Clamp it to a table with C clamps and a chunk of wood. Do you clamp just the string or do you clamp the core too? Thanks in advance. Mike

Wow cousin I love the detail shot on the reins. Very nice indeed.

Looking good. I am working on my first bosal. I have the core braided and cut string last night for it. Mike

Thanks guys, that mostly fit with what I was thinking. Lots of stretch and real soft.

I have a friend who just got a big buck in ID and he plans to try to tan the hide himself with the brains and send it to me. Anyone ever try to cut string from buckskin? How did it work out? Thanks In Advance, Mike

So I need to weld on more blade? Too bad you weren't still out here on the coast this last weekend, I think you would have enjoyed Vaquero Days. Do you know Ron Titus? He was giving some braiding demos and a short class on making a reata. He also teaches braiding I plan to try to get together with him for some in person instruction.

Clint, So you are saying once I get the strings turned back to make the bights at the bottom to put a bit of counter twist in before I pull along side the strings coming down? Thanks, Mike

Ok, I gave it a try in rawhide now. I tied a 4 bight on my gaucho knife. How's it look? It is certainly straighter than my paracord practice one.

Ok, here is a reference to books that explain the terminal knot:

You might take a look at http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=19005&view=&hl=teminal%20knot&fromsearch=1 Here is one I did awhile back when I was learning it. I think it is in Grant's book somewhere too.

To tell the truth, I was struggling to figure out how to do the turn back and wasn't paying much attention to the twist. I was just working on getting the pattern down. I have a gaucho knife I plan to put rawhide on for practice, on that I'll try to keep things straight and I'll draw the grid in. Mike

Thanks Clint, that sounds like it could be a useful tool to have.

Ok, I am getting it now. Last night after I read your response I finished it out and ended up with a gaucho pattern. Would have been great but I was looking for a herringbone. It was late so off to bed I headed scratching my head. Naturally I couldn't get to sleep thinking about what did I do wrong? Think about the knots you normally tie how are the herringbone and gaucho different? Herringbone you turn inside the bight gaucho you make a new one. Sorry about the crappy cell phone picture. Thanks, I can hardly imagine how hard this stuff would be to learn with no one around or having a place like this online to virtually get together. Knotthead, I don't know if I have ever taken the time to tell you how much I appreciate KHWW. The tutorials on there have helped me immensely as has everyone on here.

Ok, I am going to be making my first bosal soon. I am trying to figure out how to do Alan's style nose button, but can't get the turn back. Here is my practice prototype, how do I do the strings going right? Or did I screw up the strings I already turned back?

What Alan is talking about there is using the hair side but just cutting it off the top instead of working your way to it from the flesh side. I hope that makes sense, I know I didn't really understand when Nate mentioned that the first time. Mike

I would say over 60 feet maybe as much as 100, but it is just a guess and I am to lazy to stretch it out and measure.