Show Dog Leash

[KnotHead]

This one is a consignment type leash going out to the one who sells them.

36 inches long from snap to handle

1/8th inch kangaroo lace all the way

4 Strand Round Plait

2 - 7part 6bight PK's

2 Split T braids at top and bottom in 12 strand round plait herringbone braid

1 Nickle type snap

Colors; Red, Black & Whiskey Tan.

B...

Edited March 10, 2011 by KnotHead

[Fiddlegirl89]

I think that looks great! Is the lace beveled? My kangaroo stuff never looks that smooth!!! And do you put anything on it after you braid it, to make it shiny? I saddle-soap each strand before I start braiding, and then roll my braid at the end, but your's looks a lot better than mine!

[8thsinner]

I love the smoothness that you seem to get, but there is one thing I have to say stands out to my eyes and that is the whitish effect on the black strands and even some of the red on the pineapples seems to be the same, It seems like it's only surface black and the dye didn't soak the whole way through. Do you mind if I ask where you got those skins?

Also, to my eyes it does look beveled, there are some nice sections where the whitishness is lost beside others lying parallel...Am I right in that?

[Spence]

Outstanding work, Brian.

What did you use for a core?

re beveling. Some folks prefer not to bevel so the braid itself is enhanced to the "eye of the beholder." Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. Your work is such that it will always work.

[rawhide1]

Nice looking leash. The braiding and knots all look nice and tight and straight. I know ya didn't ask for a critique. So disregard if this annoys ya as it's just personal preference.

I think the leash would of flowed better if the pineapple knots were slightly smaller in dia. and tapered down going into the body of the leash. I think it would also be nice to add a burner under the snap. As it would be a shame to have the snap wear through such a nice leash. Once again it's not my intention to offend. Thanks for sharing

Mike

[KnotHead]

Wow. So many very nice artistic comments. I don't know which one to start with. So here goes the first one.

@Kayla:

I think that looks great! Is the lace beveled? My kangaroo stuff never looks that smooth!!! And do you put anything on it after you braid it, to make it shiny? I saddle-soap each strand before I start braiding, and then roll my braid at the end, but your's looks a lot better than mine!

All the lace is beveled. I use saddle soap as you do. I then let that dry out over night. To make the knots and the accented eye candy plaits(Red and black) I use a leather lacquer from Tandy. I do roll mine out also. I just don't have to roll it that much when done is all.

@ 8thSinner:

I love the smoothness that you seem to get, but there is one thing I have to say stands out to my eyes and that is the whitish effect on the black strands and even some of the red on the pineapples seems to be the same, It seems like it's only surface black and the dye didn't soak the whole way through. Do you mind if I ask where you got those skins? Also, to my eyes it does look beveled, there are some nice sections where the whitishness is lost beside others lying parallel...Am I right in that?

That white effect you see is inadvertently caused by the saddle soap. The hide is dyed all the way through. I did not do anything special to the hide or order a special hide for that effect. I am using kangaroo hides from Richard Taubmann in Australia. He supplies, like many of the Aussie farmers do; Packer Leather with kangaroo hides. All the strings are beveled.

@ Spence:

Outstanding work, Brian.

What did you use for a core?

re beveling. Some folks prefer not to bevel so the braid itself is enhanced to the "eye of the beholder." Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. Your work is such that it will always work.

I don't have a coring on the inside of the long 4 strand plait. For the knots I used some waxed cord for build up and shaping. Then I used a super glue to harden the coring for the knot work to sit on. I love to bevel all my lace. I even sell my lace in 75ft tamales cut, beveled and split. I figure that if someone wants to experience kangaroo lace, they should experience the lace as I use it to make all my projects. This way if they make a choice to continue to use kangaroo lace to braid with, they have made an informed decision and with the right kind of lace done properly so that the braider has a chance to make their art properly.

@ Mike:

Nice looking leash. The braiding and knots all look nice and tight and straight. I know ya didn't ask for a critique. So disregard if this annoys ya as it's just personal preference.

I think the leash would of flowed better if the pineapple knots were slightly smaller in dia. and tapered down going into the body of the leash. I think it would also be nice to add a burner under the snap. As it would be a shame to have the snap wear through such a nice leash. Once again it's not my intention to offend. Thanks for sharing

Mike

I don't get offended by critiques. I find them very useful in my daily adventure with braiding. It not only helps me attain a better braid. But also a higher level of quality braid work. I do agree with your synopsis on the flow of the plaiting and knot work. It would have flowed a bit better. I, however am still having an issue with the way the correctness of the knot sits on the plait itself. I get the insecure feeling of the knot coming undone, or sliding, or even loosening up and messing up the rest of the project while under use of the owner. I don't mind backing my own work. But if I don't have to repair something for a long time, all the better. But again, I am still working out my own style of plaiting and tying. My thing is when I'm putting that coring on the object is that, what happens if the damn thing comes apart. So, I over compensate in making the knot itself as secure as possible. LOL... If that makes any sense at all. LOL... I was thinking of adding a burner to it and discovered that the snap was a bit small for one. Knowing that determined my lack of use in this leash. Also, knowing that the regular dog handlers for show dogs like crumble up the leash in their hand while on the show floor for some reason that I am not aware of yet. LOL... I did not want anything to hinder the use of my leash by the handler. My objective was to create a functioning art piece much like the art pieces in the TCAA catalog. Located here: http://www.nationalcowboymuseum.org/events/tcaa/2010catalog.html

Coming up to that kind of quality is my goal in all of my plaiting. It might seem to be a bit much for some others to grasp, or might seem to be selfishly arrogant of me by other braiders. But it is and should be the goal of all braiders to attain to that kind of quality and functioning use of all of our art pieces. I am forever hooked on braiding it would seem. I just can't stop now. It would seem I would rather feel the lace between my fingers and in my hands than go on a date with a female. LOL... I know there's someone out there that understands that. LOL...

Thank you all for the kind comments.

B...

[megabit]

Looks great as usual Brian.

[roo4u]

good looking leash knothead....i like the 't' style turksheads

just a couple of comments based on my experience showing dogs and selling leashes.....be careful with those tiny baby bolt snaps...they are fairly easy to break. if you are looking to get into a bit of the show leash market only toy dog handlers will use that size snap, in which case its safe to not have a core...although they might not like the size of the knots. for the larger dogs they like the bolt snap that is the next size up i think its the 3/8"small bolt snap....and a core-i used a doubled piece of waxed harness thread to add core without any size. without a core that leash wouldnt stay 36" for very long.

[entiendo]

What a great looking leash! Wow, I love this style. Anyone can just use a plain old pineapple to cover the turnback, (I insist on covering all my turnbacks as well) but I love the way your round button just pops out at ya. Very unique! Only thing I might do differently is have both ends the same color combination in both knot settings.

[8thsinner]

I agree with your philosophy Knowhead, and I read somewhere recently, it might have been here it might not.

He who braids with his hands is a Braider

He who braids with his hands and his head is a craftsman

He who braids with his hands, his head and his heart is an artist.

I thinks it's the best way to braid, to always aim to be better and to put your all in it, I also don't hold back critique for such men for they can only take goodness from it's intent...

Anyway, lovely work, I am waiting for a hide from Richard myself right now...grr, should have been here by now...