Perfectly round buttons

[CharlieR]

Was at a trade show just the other day and spotted a hand braided bolo tie. Upon looking at it,the last buttons on the tips were perfectly round. Now my questions is this--I am in no way saying that some of you expert braiders aren't capable of braiding perfect round buttons, but this bolo, judging by the rest of the braiding and the smller knots, looked like it was done by a semi-beginner and the perfectly round buttons on the end looked out of place----do any of you braiders out there use any round objects (marbles. round wooden balls,etc.) as a foundation and braid over it to give a perfectly round knot or button? I see where using something of this nature might save a lot of time in building up a foundation, but was wonering if it is ever done??? I hope this isn't a stupid question or that it sounds as if I am bashing someones work--it is certianly only asked out of ignorance of some techniques .

[HorsehairBraider]

Over the years my buttons got rounder and rounder... part of that was just experience. If I am making something - say, a horsehair tassel - in the past I have added to the hair a little, to make sure I am tying over a good foundation. I might add a little tiny scrap of leather or something if it does not look like a symmetrical base to me. I don't normally need to do this, as also with the passing years, I have gotten better and better at making the horsehair tassel be round enough to give me a good base, without my messing with it.

I did not see the item you are talking about so I can't really say if they braided over a marble or something. It is possible they used something to tie over. However I would not actually regard that as "cheating", I would regard it as someone who recognized there is no point in tying a knot over a crappy, lop-sided base, and tried to come up with an answer to the problem.

Here's a couple of mine:

[Alan Bell]

CharlieR, Since I didn't see the bolo either I'll ask if the ends were those silver ferrule type things to hold the braiding together and the a braided button on the end of that? If so, often the ends of those are little balls so he could have just covered that. Not very many use wood to braid over unless it is a knife handle or a quirt or whip handle but we do make build ups of string, tape, or leather as foundations on knots like these heelknots.

Vaya Con Dios, Alan Bell

Won't you help me sing these songs of freedom?

Bob Marley - Redemption Songs

[CharlieR]

HorsehairBraider--thanks for the comments. I can see that someone could try to solve a problem by braiding over something round to compensate for a crummy foundation. I am sure that is what happened in this case. Mr. Bell, as always, I appreciate your comments also. It is a great help for folks like both of you to share with us newbies in this subject and try to keep us informaed of how the pros do it. Thanks loads to both of you and keep those comments coming.

[rgerbitz]

I'm sorry I don't mean to highjack this thread, but I was hoping Alan might be able to say how he went about doing the interweave in that bosal. And for the strings to look that way when you are done are they relatively dry when you are working that knot. I agree with CharlieR the info Alan, Horsehair, and others have taken the time to post up here has been invaluable to me in getting started with braiding.

Thanks abunch everyone!

Rob

"We cannot hold a torch to light anothers path without brightening our own" Annonymous

Edited April 9, 2008 by rgerbitz

[Alan Bell]

Not exactly sure what you mean by how I did the interweave but this was one of my first bosals. Actually no. 2 I think and the other one was a pencil bosal that was close but not quite! I did the interweave on this heelknot by first doing what represents the two outside lines and after seeing I could fill more space I added the middle interweave. Moisture content is the trickiest thing in braiding. My method is to wet the strings for 15 sec. or so depending on size and then pat off excess and place in plastic bag in side another plastic bag to set. Half way thorough the casing I will wipe each strand with Vaquero Cream or something similar. Then I will braid what ever I am braiding. I used to have spray bottle to re moisten the braid but now I will take either a barbers shaving brush cut down to about an inch and a half or a fairly damp cloth and rub the cream and then the braiding project to re-moisten so I am not moistening with water but with the cream. For the finer strings on buttons i may just run the string through my mouth to moisten. Saliva penetrates the lighter strings pretty evenly and it is a method that has been used probably longer than any other! I have been known to put braiding in my mouth to moisten and I know it sounds strange but it is a very good way to get even moisture into your project. Not sure why but it penetrated evenly unlike water that has to be gradually absorbed to even out. I'd rather my strings be too dry than too wet for braiding. I want them to flex enough to shape around the project and to lay flat enough for the layers in braiding but I don't want the too moist so that they stretch when braiding or the fibers break taking the strength and the life out of the strings. Also if they are too moist then as they dry they will shrink and pull away from each other leaving gaps in your work.

Vaya Con Dios, Alan Bell

Let's get together and feel alright

Bob Marley - One Love

[rgerbitz]

Thanks Alan that helps clear up a few things for me.

Rob