kangaroo lace

[JustWakinUp]

This may have been discussed somewhere but I was unable to find it.

I've seen sooooo many different prices for kangaroo lace so I have a few questions.

1) Is one kangaroo lace just as good as the next or are the inflated prices justified?

2) I've been able to find 50yrd rolls for $12US cheaper than 25yrd rolls sold elsewhere "Why do i feel like something is wrong with that picture?"

Tandy has 25yrd roll for $40 US(club price) $49 US (non club members)

ZackWhite has 25yrd roll for $28

Springfield Leather has 50yrd roll for $27.99

Why is there such a drastic departure from these folks and where do you buy yours and for how much are you paying?

[Beaverslayer]

Just,

I have had the same problem as you up here in Canada. The Tandy is $58 for a 25 yd roll and it's only 1/8" lace. I can buy a roo hide for about $71.00 and it will make from 230 to 280 feet of 1/4" lace, so the cost is WAY less. Also, buy buying the hide and making my own I can make 1/8" or 1/4" or whatever I need at the time, which makes it much more economical in the long run.

Ken

[JustWakinUp]

With that said, I would assume that kangaroo is kangaroo is kangaroo. So it doesn't matter if I purchase the expensive stuff or the econimcal stuff it's all the same?

[Beaverslayer]

If you purchase the economical hide, just be sure to pick out the best one, with the least ammount of holes or scars. These deformations will greatly reduce the ammount of lace you get.

Ken

[Rawhide]

Ken,

Do you buy your roo hides locally or do you order them? Who from?

Thanks,

Marlon

[Beaverslayer]

Marlon I buy them from a small leather shop here in Calgary.

Caledon Leather Sales

Ken

[MikeG]

Beaverslayer, could you explain the method you use to draw your lace? I've played about a little with various cutters and have had such limited success that I would be extremely hesitant to invest in a hide (although I know it would be much more economical).

Thanks for your thoughts and hints.

-- Mike

[Beaverslayer]

Mike I did a tutorial here a while back, you can find it here:

Lace Making

Ken

[MikeG]

Thank you, Ken. I have a couple of those lace cutters and until now thought I had been suckered into buying a cheap gimmick that didn't work. I'll read through your tutorial a few times and give it another try.

-- Mike

[Go2Tex]

Yeah, for a relatively inexpensive tool, it works pretty good. The thing is, you need nice firm leather, like kangaroo. I've had pretty good results with it.

The problem I have is keeping the leather from curling up and subsequently widening. Seems I recall reading somewhere on the Net about putting some kind of plug in the cutting slot to keep this from happening. Anyone tried this or some other method?

[Beaverslayer]

Go2Tex, what I do is place the tip of my thumb right up against the roo hide as it enters the cutter. By adjusting the pressure on the roo as it enters, you can keep it from curling up. Basically what you're doing with your thumb, is what you suggest with the plug, but you don't have to figure out what size of what to plug in there.

Also, a VERY sharp blade really is the key.

Ken

[Go2Tex]

You are very right about the sharpness....... now, where in God's name did I put those damn blades????

Moving is hell, folks.

[Beaverslayer]

If your in a pinch, you can always take the blade out of a "Bic" disposable razor. They will work for one or two times.

Ken