From the Scrap / Scrounge Bin

[kgg]

Not much leather work here but it was something I needed.

After I "retired" from the Engineering BS we opened a dog boarding and grooming kennel as it seemed to go hand in hand with my hobby of dog showing and breeding. Well after 20 years of use our last original kennel slip lead finally decided to give up the ghost.

I always have liked the English style kennel slip leads but they are now costing about $20 CAD plus for something sort of half decent in 1/2" diameter and $40 CAD for a proper spliced 5/8" double braided nylon. I personally don't like the feel of flat nylon or flat polyester leads or the leads made PVC coated webbing's like biothane and how they work but that probably is just me.

Over the years we have boarded and handled a lot of big guys (plus 120lbs) as well as the aggressive dog breeds like the Black Russian Terriers, Pit Bulls and Cane Corso's. Our kennel leads need to be safe, dependable, tough and be able to be used on almost all breeds.

So me being me I went to the scrap bin to scrounge enough bits and pieces to make up some new ones. I did have to buy some new 1/2" 48 strand braided Polyester rope and 5/8" double braided Marine Nylon rope but the rest I had like copper rivets, 1" welded metal "O" rings, scrap 3 oz veg tan and 1" diameter shrink tubing.

This is what I ended up with. I figure these will probably outlast me.

i) cost for each slip lead averaged out at about $8 CAD.

ii) the sliding leather keepers are two layers of 3 oz leather glued together, wet formed around the rope and riveted together so there is a nice smooth leather surface rubbing against the rope that will not slip through the O ring. Had that happen with a store bought one and it wasn't fun.

iii) the shrink tubing is to provide a nice smooth transitional surface and hide / protect the copper rivets.

iv) the blue slip lead is braided 1/2" 48 strand braided polyester. Initially it will be stiff but will soften with use.

v) the black slip lead is double braided 5/8" marine nylon with the ends spliced back into itself. The leather doodad on the handle is for accessories like plastic bags. It is very pliable and feels comfortable in the hand and will be the one that I use on my dogs (Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers).

vi) the green slip lead is owned by a customer and is a store bought 3/8" that appears to be made with braided polyester.

All comments are appreciated.

kgg