megabit

Brad, Did your wife write the book? I picked a copy up off ebay last week, I am only about a chapter or so in but likeing it so far. Oh and are you going to the Vaquero Gear Show and Sale in Santa Ynez? If so we should try to make sure to get together. Mike

:thumbsup: :thumbsup: Sure can't tell it is your first by looking at it. Keep up the good work. Mike

That is a neat braid. Looks like a ton of work.

Calvin, Those look great and wow you put a ton of buttons on. My first thought was 48", does he ride giraffes? Then I see you don't have any rein chains so that makes a big difference. Mike

I think I paid around $150 but it could have been more. Best thing would be to email him or call.

I braid almost exclusively in rawhide and seldom use anything other than a knot tied in rawhide as a foundation. If you do a 4 strand ring knot by pushing 2 strands through the body of whatever you are working on, that button isn’t going to ever slide up or down. I will use floral tape to smooth things or as a little filler sometimes. I would only use paracord if project was being done in paracord. I do recall hearing that Bill Dorance would use bondo (I think over a ring knot) as a foundation. I also recall someone telling me they used those balls from bungee cords to make shuflys. I think I might give that a try next time I make a shu fly.

I have trouble with this just about every time. The last couple I just made another bite and did a few passes of Gaucho pattern and the switch it to herringbone. Makes it kinda fancy and works out easier for me. What you can do is practice with some para-cord until you get the hang of the turnback, that way you don't mess up good lace.

Brad, Did you go to the Vaquero Fiesta in Alturas back in August? Just wondering if we've ever met. Mike

Link to film about Lige

Sounds like you should braid up a quirt and show these naysayers how they are used, like real up close and personal.

I did one with a core of rawhide scraps bound together in a taper wet and hung with a weight to stretch and dry. It turned out ok. Personally I’d go fairly thick on your body string as a quirt should hold up to some abuse, unless you are making something to hang on a wall (in which case why bother ).

:clapping: That is very cool, great work.

Welcome and verry nice work!

You could try Moscow Hide and Fur in Idaho

Joe, Those sure look nice, hope he collects some more with them. Mike

Well one of the reasons for the buttons (other than added weight) is to protect the body of the reins from horse sweat, so I would say far enough up that most of what lays on the horse's neck has buttons.

Be sure you go under 3 or at the very least 2 strings, pull tight and cut it as close as you can. With luck it will loosen just enough to end up under the last string and you won't ever see it again.

Instead of the rawhide button you can make a rolled leather button. CW - I think the most likely way someone could get in trouble with romals would be a) the reins got caught on something solid the romal ends up not over the horn and hangs down far enough for the horse to step on it. You are correct though that neither of those should be likely if you are paying attention. Man I had to see people drag there horse around by the mouth. My reins never go over my caballo's head as I take them off the chains before I take off the bridle. Mike

Rawhide is pretty dang strong, that is why I like latigo connectors like the ones I made for my romals. finished romal reins by ss1442, on Flickr

Finally got the action shot of my reata I promised, I don't make any wall hangers. holding one at the fire by ss1442, on Flickr

Well I guess my view is a bit contrary to your Annette. You could say they did just what you asked and field tested them, sounds like they could have been tighter then they wouldn't have fell off when the horse moved. One trick is to run your lead rope through the hobbles so the horse can't get it's head above his withers. If they can't get their head up they have a hard time moving very fast when hobbled. Those hobbles are sure enough a show piece but I'd sure hate to see tack I made not get used on a horse. Not looking for a fight just offering my take on the deal. Mike

No special little clicks on here, but I think the ones who declined to respond because they weren't on your list thought you were making a click. I don't know. As for your problem, I frequently have the opposite problem and move away from that guide and get a thin spot. Biggest cure I think is practice practice practice. Are you having this problem is it cutting from disk or from rough cut string? I have more trouble with cutting the disk. Temper plays big part too and too wet I think would cause what you describe before too dry.

Wow those look sharp. I like the 4 into one really looks good. Now I want to see a pic of them on a horse.

Nice to finish something up that has been sitting around awhile isn't it. Sure looks good.

Sorry no action shots but here are a couple of pics of the finished reata. I think it ended up right about 64'. finished reata by ss1442, on Flickr reata honda by ss1442, on Flickr