megabit

No offense taken, I certainly am looking for critique, how else will I improve. I do leave a couple of inches to help pull tight, but cut it down close when done. I like the idea of running it back under some strings instead, it always bothered me just cutting it off but wasn't sure what else to do. Not sure I understand exactly where to run the end but I may practice with some paracord and post up pics to see if I understand what you mean. Yes, it is a spanish ring cutting on a taper would certainly be easy. Ohh and all of the cool people are named Mike. Mike

I tied the ends of the braid in rather poor Mathew Walker knots (need to work on that) and then wrapped them with artificial sinew to give it some shape. That worked good for the 1st knot but the second one came out crappy so I cut it off. The second time I built it up with florist tape and whittled it down a bit with a knife. (thanks for the tip Alan)

Finished this up the other night.

Speaking of your Hansen, do you cut disk into say 1" strips with it then cut the string from the strips or do you cut a disk down to the size you need? I keep thinking I should spend the money and get one. My stuff would likely look much better if I could bevel my string.

muy bien

Even strings, straight tight braids, looks good to me.

I have SteveM over at RanchingCountry making the bit. Kim is sending one of her's that Richard C designed to copy. I think mine is going to be sort of a prototype of new bits for Richard (his normal maker is so busy he can't get them as quick as he would like). The clinic is John Moore, he seems very good. He has a deep understanding of the history of this stuff and I am very interested in that too. http://www.johnmoore4horses.com/ One of the real good things for me is my trainer is in the clinic too, so I will get on going support with the concepts.:D Not very traditional for a California Bridle horse though. I think part of the point of the hackamore is that it isn't as effective as a bit and forces you to use your seat and not just your hands. Nice looking job on decorations by the way.

What is this "SPADE BIT" you speak of? Did I tell you I have a new custom made one on order? Now I need to get a bosal and start moving my mare in that direction. Spent all day in the saddle today, first day of the three day riding clinic. Rode most of the day in a rope halter, don't think the hackamore is going to be a problem. Mike

SWEET! What do you generally use for a core? or do you generally make them without a core? I think I recall grant saying reins don't necessarily need a core. I cut some string last night, think I may make a hat band. Gota start small. :D

Ok, don't want 20 * 3/32, just change to 8 * 1/4 seems like from the math it should cover about the same. 60/32 = 7.5/4 right?

rawhider did this answer your question? or did I answer something else.

Found the thread.

Hey on braiding topics I look to you for guidance. Now whiskey might be a different subject. I think B Grant suggest the sum of the widths should equal the radius of the core. I recall most around here suggesting to add a little to that, but I'll try to find the passage in Grant's book tonight. I think Alan may have answered this one before, so you might find it with the search.

Looks great to me, better than the one I made.

Completed on on a rope. Works ok, but I'll make the next one a little bigger.

Wow you have got tons of looks but no help. I don't have near enough experience to really have an opinion, but I will relay what I recall others saying. The Hansen one seems very popular but not for the faint of wallet (about $400). It has the advantage of being all 3 in one tool. The ones linked on Gail Hought's site look to be similar but you have to buy 2 tools vs one so they are even more expensive. (about $300 ea) I have the $10 plastic one from Tandy, it works ok once you get the hang of it. It will not bevel or split though. Mike

Ok, I always hate it when I post stuff and all anybody says is hey that looks good. So I took a look at this trying my damnedest to find something to pick on to help you improve. Foiled again I can't find anything. ;D String look very evenly cut, patterns are crisp and clean, knots look perfect. Only think I can complain about is how bad your work makes mine look.

#4 philips and the space is about 1.5", might be a little tight. I based it off Bruce Grants book and think I will use longer string next time.

Braided this up last night. My first braided honda. How's it look? Not very happy with my pineapple but other than that I think it will get the job done once I put the burner on it.

I have one of those cheap crafttool lace maker that takes some practice to get to work. That and getting the right amount of moisture into the hide. To little moisture and it is like cutting steel, to much and it gets spongy and doesn't cut well at all.

The hardest part of using rawhide is cutting the string. Man have I wasted a bunch of hide. :D I play with paracord a lot to learn the knots so that I am not trying to learn the knot at the same time I am dealing with the hide. Thanks for the kind words everyone. Tied another of the pineapples tonight just one more left.

Here is the 1st of 2 handles I am making for a friend. 6 plait with pineapple ends. He is going to use them for a poker chip case he is building. Keeping the strings from turning over is certainly a challenge, practice should help.

Very nice. Looks like a mini set of romal reins. ;D

I thing Bruce Grant's "Encyclopedia of Rawhide and Leather Braiding" shows how to do that braid. Mike

Great craftsmanship on those they are beautiful. No I do have a critique for you, that belt looks great but I would want something that would break easier if it got hung on my saddle horn if say I suddenly found my nice calm mare trying her best to look like a saddle bronc. They sure are nice looking though.