Best Leather for Braiding

[Geoff]

It seems from what I have read, that Kangaroo leather is by far the best for braiding and lacing. What comes in second best, and how far down the scale is it?

For example, is goat leather any good?

Thanks for any information,

Geoff

[Sidney Wood]

It seems from what I have read, that Kangaroo leather is by far the best for braiding and lacing. What comes in second best, and how far down the scale is it?

For example, is goat leather any good?

Thanks for any information,

Geoff

I don't think the animal is as important as the tannage. I have used a veg tanned goat that is intended for boot lining for decorative knots for 15 years or so and I prefer it to roo. It depends on the job. 8 oz harness leather makes fine roper reins, for example. There is a guy locally that cuts fine braiding strings from chap leather. The trick is good leather, as there is junk in all kinds. Most commercial lace can vary greatly in quality from spool to spool. The trick is see it before you buy it if possible, or find a source you can trust.

Sidney Wood

[megabit]

Best for braiding? Do you mean the easiest to braid or what makes the nicest finished product? I vote for RAWHIDE!

[Geoff]

Best for braiding? Do you mean the easiest to braid or what makes the nicest finished product? I vote for RAWHIDE!

That is a good question!

As a beginner, I suppose that I meant the easiest to get a decent looking result. With time and practice, I would like to get the nicest finished product.

Up to now, I did not see Rawhide lacing. Do you buy it or prepare your own?

Thanks,

Geoff

[megabit]

That is a good question!

As a beginner, I suppose that I meant the easiest to get a decent looking result. With time and practice, I would like to get the nicest finished product.

Up to now, I did not see Rawhide lacing. Do you buy it or prepare your own?

Thanks,

Geoff

I think you will find most on here cut their own lace regardless of what type of hide they use. Hides are expensive, pre-cut lace even more so and the quality isn't generally very good. With a little practice and a $10 lace cutter you can cut about as good as most you would buy. You can likely find hand cut lace that would be of a high quality, but the price would be high. I started out with one of those little plastic cutters and then moved up to the one from WhiteBuf.

Another option for practice is paracord. It has some advantages and disadvantages. On the plus side it is cheap and you can undo it and use it again. On the downside you don't learn to keep the hair side up as you go.

[HorsehairBraider]

I used to teach spinning, and people would ask me what the "best" spinning fiber was. I'd ask them, what is the best car? Maybe they'd say a Lexus. OK, I'd say, I'll go out and buy a Lexus, and when you next see me I'll be at the feed store with two goats in the back seat, trying to cram hay into the trunk. A Lexus is not a good car FOR ME. I live on a farm, I need a TRUCK. So the answer to the question, "what is the best leather?" is another question: "What are you making?"

If you are making a bosal, the answer might be one thing. Are you making some roping reins? Maybe something else might work. Need something for the kids, so it's OK if they leave it out in the rain? Maybe another thing entirely.

You have to look at each situation, decide what sort of stress or abuse that item is going to get over its lifetime, and fit the material to the situation. Sometimes one thing will work, sometimes another. Truth is, you can use a LOT of different things to braid. Sometimes, even baling twine might be the "best" for that situation.

[Geoff]

I used to teach spinning, and people would ask me what the "best" spinning fiber was. I'd ask them, what is the best car? Maybe they'd say a Lexus. OK, I'd say, I'll go out and buy a Lexus, and when you next see me I'll be at the feed store with two goats in the back seat, trying to cram hay into the trunk. A Lexus is not a good car FOR ME. I live on a farm, I need a TRUCK. So the answer to the question, "what is the best leather?" is another question: "What are you making?"

If you are making a bosal, the answer might be one thing. Are you making some roping reins? Maybe something else might work. Need something for the kids, so it's OK if they leave it out in the rain? Maybe another thing entirely.

You have to look at each situation, decide what sort of stress or abuse that item is going to get over its lifetime, and fit the material to the situation. Sometimes one thing will work, sometimes another. Truth is, you can use a LOT of different things to braid. Sometimes, even baling twine might be the "best" for that situation.

That is the problem with being a beginner! What seems like a simple question obviously is not.

My experience in braiding is limited to various lanyard type things and I have done some lacing on wallets, knife sheaths etc Soon I want to make a riding crop for my daughter.

I suppose that I should reword my question : I am planning to make a riding crop. Would I be advised to buy some Kangaroo leather or make it with what I have (natural cow leather)

Thanks

[megabit]

Does she ride English or Western? If she rides Western than she would want a quirt not a crop and rawhide would be the hide of choice.

[Geoff]

Does she ride English or Western? If she rides Western than she would want a quirt not a crop and rawhide would be the hide of choice.

Sorry, I should may be have said at the outset - we are English, and my daughter does ride English style, albeit in Spain

Thanks for your help

[HorsehairBraider]

I would think cowhide would be fine for that use. An English riding crop typically has a stiff but flexible core (sort of like a fishing rod) and therefore the leather would not be that stressed. It would not be the strength that you need here, but the looks of the braiding.

That sounds like a great project, and I hope you'll post more about it!