I believe soaking and stretching helps but when I tested my knot I realized this WILL slip especially as you put your weight on it when walking. I am considering finishing nails but with this knot the length adjusts itself slightly due to the variance in circumference so nailing the leather too soon would prevent me from tightening properly. My current plan of action is as follows: soak and stretch the leather, braid it, add two securing knots to the ends which I found in Bruce Grant's encyclopedia, plate 58 to be exact, and only then after tightening everything add a few finishing nails. Wish me luck LOL