Members KnotHead Posted April 30, 2009 Author Members Report Posted April 30, 2009 Thank you Spence. The back braid took about 30mins just to get it like you see it in the photo. Oh, I forgot to say; that this is the first ever herringbone dog lead I have ever done. Seeing the replies being so positive is inspiring to me. So the finished product I hope will bring even more positive returns as the build is. Quote Best Regards, Brian Kidd
Members KnotHead Posted June 11, 2009 Author Members Report Posted June 11, 2009 I have an update on the progression of the braided dog leash I been workin on. Here be the photos of it so far. I know you can't see it to well because of the braiding post. But the braid got too long to continue with it off the hook. I did more on it after I took the photo. So, I'm a little bit closer to bein done with the long part of the braid. Still tryin to decide on what type of handle I want to put on there, or if I just want to continue with a straight braided handle. Brian... Quote Best Regards, Brian Kidd
Members LeatherCaptain Posted June 11, 2009 Members Report Posted June 11, 2009 Hi, I'm totally new to braiding and I want to try my hand at building a 4 strand reata but, I'm not exactly sure what to use for a core. I've read that a lot of people don't use a core but I see that you have one here for your leash. In the book I have, the author says that sash cord or rawhide strands would work fine as a core. You stated that you're using thick scrap roo 1/2" roo lace for the core. How did you build that? BTW ~ This is turning out great. It's almost mind boggling how you can keep that many strands going at the same time. I honestly think I'm going to be challanged with 4. Quote
Members KnotHead Posted June 11, 2009 Author Members Report Posted June 11, 2009 (edited) I had some scrap roo lace settin around. I just cut it even to the length I needed. Then I grabbed me a brass latch that I liked from home depot about $1.39 or somethin like that. Then I took the scrap, middled the 2 scrap strands on the latch and did a 4 strand round braid for just about the entire length of the scrap and then lashed it off at the end. That completed the core. I used the scrap roo because it is very strong. Since this is a free gift to a friend of mine, I used smooth calf skin lace from tandy to do the braided leash. But since his dog is not a show dog, I did not need to use roo lace. Actually, the braid is very simple once you have it started. It's an over 2, under 2 sequence. So, the actual part of keeping track of the strands is fairly easy. All it takes is a bit of patience, and taking your time with it and not rushing it. I know that one time in the braid, I got in a hurry with it and crossed one strand on the back side of the braid and did not notice it for about 2 cycles of braiding. Had to take what I had done apart up to the point of where I messed up and redo the rest from there. So ya see, don't be in a hurry to get it done. Speed comes with time and practice. The best advice I can give you right now is this; Never be intimidated by what you see. I did not get where I'm at with braiding and knot tying by being intimidated by what I saw others doing. I simply just jumped in with both feet and now I'm totally hooked to braiding. It also helps to have really great mentors who watch and teach you along the way. I have a really great braiding mentor. He has taught me more about braiding in a year, than what I have learned on my own in the last 15yrs of knot tying. He keeps me in check with my skills and reminds me with his own braiding that I'm still learning. Brian... Edited June 11, 2009 by KnotHead Quote Best Regards, Brian Kidd
Members KnotHead Posted July 3, 2009 Author Members Report Posted July 3, 2009 Well I thought I would give an update to where I am at and include a couple of photos. I am now past the transition point going from round braid to flat braid for the handle. As you can see from this one, I went ahead and continued through the transition point with the Herringbone braid. Brian... Quote Best Regards, Brian Kidd
Members Spence Posted July 3, 2009 Members Report Posted July 3, 2009 How Sweet It Is !! That is coming along just fine. Absolutely great transition work. I can't wait to see your join/back braid. Mainly 'cause I'm working on an 8 strand right now. Don't ask me why, but I normally start with the handle in a U1O1 pattern and then go to a herring bone for the body and back to the U1O1 for the clip end. After seeing your clip end, I can see I've got some rethinking to do. I love that. Quote Spence Mendoza, TX, USA
Members KnotHead Posted July 3, 2009 Author Members Report Posted July 3, 2009 Thanks Spence. I appreciate your comments. Those transition points believe it or not cost me some time putting them together in my head let alone doing them for real. When I finally figured out how I was going to accomplish the transitions, doing them became much easier because I was no longer intimidated by it. Now, ehehehehe!!! I am about to explode with excitement. Brian... Quote Best Regards, Brian Kidd
Members KnotHead Posted July 3, 2009 Author Members Report Posted July 3, 2009 I got my new cutter / beveler today. Woo Hoo!!! I'm gonna be playin all weekend, ehehehehe... I need to get used to it and learn it really well. Oh yeah!! I'm gonna be cuttin it up this weekend. Quote Best Regards, Brian Kidd
Members SmartAceW0LF Posted July 4, 2009 Members Report Posted July 4, 2009 It also helps to have really great mentors who watch and teach you along the way. I have a really great braiding mentor. He has taught me more about braiding in a year, than what I have learned on my own in the last 15yrs of knot tying. He keeps me in check with my skills and reminds me with his own braiding that I'm still learning. Hey Brian, The suspense is killing me. Who is the mentor you speak of here? And is he near you physically or did your relationship with him start out on these forums and move on to more later on? Have been admiring your work on many of these forums. Its a real inspiration to watch the rapid improvement in your skills. Keep it up and thank you for the level of generosity you have in sharing what you learn. Screw the everready bunny! I want some of YOUR energy! Quote
Members KnotHead Posted July 4, 2009 Author Members Report Posted July 4, 2009 My mentor is Mike Storch and he is located in Utah. I been under his wing for about 3 years now. He has a site at hooeyknows.com His work is just awsome. He cuts and dyes his own roo lace. I am so glad I found him and that he is willing to go the extra yard to pass on some of his knowlege to me as a braider. Our relationship started out with a friend of mine in Colorado who passed away this year. I met Mike in a yahoo braider chat I was hosting for one day between my website partner and Mike. The things he taught me just over that one chat session were incredible. He showed me some of his work by emailing me some of his photos and right there is where I said to myself, I need his guidance in my learning. Every so often now I will call him if I run into a difficult problem in leather braiding. He shares his knowlege and experience openly with me. I think he would do that with anyone who was very serious about learning braiding from go. He wont waste time with those that are not serious about the craft and art. He was a knot tier for many years also. I have a history on his adventures somewhere around here in my office. I just got to find it again. LOL... I will meet him one day in person and we will probably not talk too much, but we will share a moment of braiding a pineapple knot some where under a shady tree and a nice little prairy breeze, or something like that. Brian... Quote Best Regards, Brian Kidd
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