Braiding Books

[roo4u]

hey all i have been looking at braiding books on line and without being able to see the content am having a difficult time deciding on my next purchase. i have all three of bruce grants books and can do all the knots and braids in his encyclopedia. would like opinions on what would be a good purchase to further my skills. i would love to be able to just take some instruction from a master braider but that is not an option right now. so if anybody has suggestions or critiques of the available books id love to hear them. thanks

[KnotHead]

hey all i have been looking at braiding books on line and without being able to see the content am having a difficult time deciding on my next purchase. i have all three of bruce grants books and can do all the knots and braids in his encyclopedia. would like opinions on what would be a good purchase to further my skills. i would love to be able to just take some instruction from a master braider but that is not an option right now. so if anybody has suggestions or critiques of the available books id love to hear them. thanks

Tom Hall; Purchase link Seller: Martin Combs Click Here

Books By Tom Hall; All prices USD...

INTRODUCTION TO TURKSHEAD KNOTS by Tom Hall $28.50 - (Instructions for many different types of turksheads, Casa, Herringbone, Headhunter, Gaucho, Barcus, etc. a very good book)

Tack Tips by Tom Hall $27.50 - (How to make your own horse gear, hackamores, bosals, fiadors, etc. lots of knots in use in the instructions)

MORE WESTERN TACK TIPS by Tom Hall $27.50 - (More info on how to make your own horse gear, but the knots shown can be used for more than that, some of the new knot info includes , the headhunter's rosebud knot, sennit rose knots, boxcar knots, if you like Tom's other books this one won't disapoint you.

The Turkshead Workbook by Tom Hall $14.00 - (A good book to accompany Intro to TH Knots)

Another great Author is Ron Edwards; Here's the link to the Ram Skull Press Site (International Ordering)

Books to get from them;

• Round Knots and Braids ( Spiral Bound ) $80.00
• Interesting Braids and Flat Plaits ( Spiral Bound ) $80.00

Some really great material in both all of these listed books. All of the books are illustrated.

Another good one to look for is Robert Woolery - Braiding Rawhide Horse Tack. If you google that one you should find a some where that will sell it. That should do you for a good start.

Brian...

[lilpep]

TOM HALL !!!!!!!!! i second KNOTHEAD on this issue. get the tom hall books before you spend money on anything else. you can leave out the turks head work book if you want but westerntack tips and more western tack tips have ALOT in them. intro to turkheads is great to learn pinneaples and variations that is the meat and potatoes of this book, it has more on other knots that are usefull. as for Ron Edwards books i really am not a huge fan but dont knock em either i guess i'm neutral about him. Edwards has a leather worker aproach to some of his books and has projects. i have Bush leather work and bush craft 8 as well as advanced leather work round knots and stuff but like he mentions in the beggining it is not geared for the begginer. for the money intro to turk heads is going to help any one improve alot more than this book will. well looks like i'm blabbing alot. theirs my two cents <BR><BR>PS.  Martin Combs is also one of the best sources for R E books. he is in the states and is cheaper most times than ordering from the Ramskull press. 

Edited January 31, 2010 by lilpep

[jerryrwm]

hey all i have been looking at braiding books on line and without being able to see the content am having a difficult time deciding on my next purchase. i have all three of bruce grants books and can do all the knots and braids in his encyclopedia. would like opinions on what would be a good purchase to further my skills. i would love to be able to just take some instruction from a master braider but that is not an option right now. so if anybody has suggestions or critiques of the available books id love to hear them. thanks

Grant's Books are a must have.

Tom Hall's are right there also

Robert Woolery has some good info

Gail Hought's books have some excellent resources.

David Morgan has excellent tips and hints on basics.

Ron Edwards books on Whips and Turks Heads and handle coverings are loaded with info

Also editions of "The Australian Whipmaker" available through the Australian Plaiters & Whipmakers Assn. published originally by the late Ron Edwards.

Dennis Bush has a good primer on whipmaking.

Do searches and you can find some of these books out there.

Edited January 31, 2010 by jerryrwm

[roo4u]

thanks for the replies folks. i was looking at the books by hall the other day. i was also considering the hought books...any opinions on those? worth the price?

[lilpep]

for about 60some dollars you ca get the Tom Hall books compared to about 1 one of the other books. i have only seen the index of the the other books so i can say how they are in fact but the index didnt show ANYTHING !!!! that any other book i've seen. and let me tell you i have ALOT of books in both spanish and english. western tack tips and more western tack tips have IN DETAIL explanations for bosals and reins as well as LOTS and LOTS of headstalls with measurements and maaaaannnnyyy designs. the briding content and buttons are far more supperior than any other book i've ever seen. Hall didnt just learn from Grants book and then rewrote some of it in his own words. he was actally a great knotter and braider who collaborated with the late George Shaake. his understanding and expertice are far above most people. he also shows some tack in strap leather just as a bonus and also has alot of stitching patterns. as for intro to turk heads is concerned if you can find a better turkshead book let me know so i can buy it. after this i dont think i have to explain any more where i stand. their is no comparison between both authors in my opinion. Hall !!!!!!!!

[entiendo]

I have all of Gail's books and I love them, couldn't do it without them, but I just met another braider that hates them. She said she couldn't follow her directions until she had the basics down. I guess it depends on how you learn. When you told me you learned from Bruce Grants' books I was very impressed, I couldn't even tie the alamar knot with his directions, so I bet you could learn from Gail's books easy. Just be sure to run through the index to be sure she has something to teach you. I really think they are devoted more so to the beginner. To bad they are so darn expensive!

[lilpep]

roo4u sorry to keep butting in. as i read again you mentioned you can tie all the knots in Bruce grants book. i over looked that particular detail which is very important i think because it gives insight to how much you know allready. definetly dont waste your money on GH books like entiendo said they are "so damn expensive". since i take it you are pretty familiar with turks heads and all the braids that are common amongst braiders, then you will love intro to turks heads. dont let the title fool you it has basic stuff but will open your eyes to ALOT more. the buttons section in more western tack tips is something you will love also. Hall teaches the basics and progresses to more advanced material in a manner that is easey enough to follow. the ilustrations are good and im sure you will find them interesting. from the begining of these books you will notice he is an intelectual and more than just a braider he had a great understanding of knot structure and theory. the great thing is even though he has a great understanding of things his "recepies for knots along with ilustrations lend themselves to beginners(i know you are not). i just have alot of good to say about him and his books. if you need more info read the comments that Martin Combs has on his website and if you want give Martin a call he is the nicest guy you will ever meet. infact Martin is more of a decorative rope/knoting kind of guy and a retired service member, he uses intro to turks heads alot and recommends it aswell. enough i think i may be over doing it. sorry

Edited February 1, 2010 by lilpep

[rawhide1]

lilpep

Tell us how ya really feel!!!LOL

I have Grants books and some of Houghts. While I've found Houghts books easier to follow I've also learned a great deal from Grants. I think a person can learn something from every book they read. While some are easier to follow than others they all offer something. I'm looking forward to getting the Hall books although with a youngun due in two weeks it might be awhile before I can. Interesting topic it's good to see which books work for everyone.

Mike

[Bevan]

Well I have a few books, Ron Edwards , Grants , and GH bosal 1 and 2 , now for those of you that have the bosal 2 book, i ask you to follow the destructions and see if you can do the 8 bight heel knot , keep an eye on the book , remember you have bought this book to learn !!!!! page 31 should slow you down a tad.

I look forward to the comments back on this one!!

I also am waiting on 3 Tom Hall books to arrive so i am happy i have come across this post , very interesting !!

Cheers for now

Bevan