Avatareon Report post Posted April 1, 2009 Hi, I want to braid leather around a rattan sword handle. I can't have any nails or anything holding the ends down although I am planning to wrap leather around the end of my hilt basket to help hold that on (and to hide ugly brackets) I'm not real fussy about the design as long as it looks neat and is comfortable as a handgrip - of course the nicer it will look the better Can anyone help me out with some instruction (I am very new to working with leather and have never down any braiding so in very simple terms would be appreciated) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rawhide1 Report post Posted April 1, 2009 I think your best bet would be to get one of Bruce Grants books. I don't think I could explain it clear enough. Maybe there is someone on here that could though. But I think you will need a basic understanding of braiding and how to build knots. I wish ya luck!! Mike Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dwight Report post Posted April 2, 2009 I think your best bet would be to get one of Bruce Grants books. I don't think I could explain it clear enough. Maybe there is someone on here that could though. But I think you will need a basic understanding of braiding and how to build knots. I wish ya luck!!Mike Mike, . . . this may not be what you were looking for, . . . but it works to cover a handle with braided or just stranded leather. After you wrap it loosely on the handle, . . . wet it down and start in the middle, . . . tightening up the loops very tight against the handle. Make sure both the straight strands are on the bottom side of the handle and laying side by side in the center of the handle. Pull it up real tight and razor cut off the ends next to the last wrap, . . . May God bless, Dwight handlewrap.bmp handlewrap.bmp Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BondoBobCustomSaddles Report post Posted April 5, 2009 Mike, Bruce Grants encyclopedia of rawhide and leather braiding is the difinitive answer to "how they got it done" in the old days. It is a little pricey, however; the information in it will allow you to overcome any braiding challenge our there. I have been making saddles for a long time, and always admired the beautiful rawhide brading work of the old masters that came out of the southwest, but; never got a chance to delve into it because saddles kept me busy. Lately, I got the book and got the bug to braid, and I can tell you that the instructions are complete and will get you done what you want to do. Be carefull! It's addictive. Bondo Bob Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
