My Quirt Is Almost Finish, But The Braiding Looks Old

[Melanie Wilfong]

The handle and core already looks like an antique. lol Am I rolling too much? Too much saddle butter? I like the lower knots better. Why does it already look worn out? Thanks In person it looks older than these pics.

Edited March 22, 2011 by Melanie Wilfong

[roo4u]

what color of lace did you start with? thats roo right? well roo does darken with the use of any type of lubricant the only thing i found that doesnt darken it is pecards dressing...for the most part i dont use a lubricant when braiding roo....although i am working on my first 16 strand and i think it will be easier with braiding soap...

did you have to rebraid part of that? cuz that might cause it to darken a bit more.

[Melanie Wilfong]

Yes, it's all whiskey colored roo. I must have used to much saddle butter. The reason I'm adding the knot in the middle is the core was too limp, so after braiding I decided to lash two very small metal plates to stiffen it. The cowboy knot will cover that part. I'm def. going to use a diff. core next time. Thanks for the reply.

[KnotHead]

Is that lace beveled on the bottom sides? If it is beveled you should not have to roll it out but once, maybe twice if you absolutely have to. Sometime adding too much leather treatment will cause it to antique like that. I find that in all of my whiskey tan and saddle tan strings. I hardly ever use any natural hides because of that issue. That would be like using white. LOL... Adding treatment should be done sparingly with the color you used. Unless you need it to be antiqued like that. To me that darkening like that looks pretty appealing. But that is just me though.

B...

[Melanie Wilfong]

This roo is so thin I'm not sure if it's beveled. It's almost paper thin. When I make a bosal, I'm going to cut my own lace. The way I rolled it was put saddle butter on, then wrapped in foil the rolled across room under my foot. I like the color, but the braids don't look crisp.

[roo4u]

you dont have to put saddle butter on roo to roll it....before i started beveling my lace i just would braid and then roll it on the clean kitchen table with my hand...thats all it takes, especially if your lace is that thin. as far as the braid not looking crisp i think it needs to be tighter....thats why whip braiders use plating soap...so that the braid can be pulled up tighter...that might have helped some with the quirt not being as stiff as you wanted.

where did you get the lace? have you ever cut roo lace before? if not then i suggest you watch bernies videos here is the link....http://www.youtube.com/user/bernie46

his two videos on cutting, stretching and preping roo for lace are very good.

[8thsinner]

Also as you mentioned the braid being limp, in regards to pulling each lace tight how did you do it?

Did you try to keep everything nice and tight straight off then move on to the next strand?

Or did you plait loosely and pull tight only as you work the strand into place.

The second method is preferred, but even at that, you may have been too scared to pull too tight, roo is pretty strong no matter who makes it, though I have broke small strands, it's hard to do. But it is a learning process.

As for the fade effect, or darkening, that happens with almost all veg tan leathers I have worked with, ou can try to keep soap use to a minimum and only whilst working it, don't let it sit for too long and then apply another layer.

Another thing is which soap did you use? Some are better than others.

The appearance to me looks fine, you can still apply shellac or other varnish which will brighten it up some what.

Oh and lastly The strands to me look to be about .7mm thick or so, if I am right that should still be plenty strong enough to pull tighter.

Also don't forget, to other people it always looks better than the maker thinks.

[Melanie Wilfong]

I pulled each side (8 strands) as evenly and tight as possible as I went. I tried to hold onto all strands with my thumb and pull evenly. Then when I did the other side same thing. Then would pull both sides? Is this right? Also, what's the best soap to use for a tight braid and how do you use it? I have Fiebing's white soap. Do you put on then wipe off? They way I was using it, it left a white film. Gonna go w/soap vs. butter for the next one. I got the lace from Amazing Leather in Aust. after seeing that as a recommendation on this board. It was pretty expensive so next time I'll order a whole skin and see how I get along w/that. I have a cutter/beveler/skiver tool. Thanks for the replies.

[rawhide1]

If your handling the strings a lot they will also turn darker. Just from the oil from your hands. I don't use soap or butter when braiding roo as I don't feel it's needed. I have put clear lac or a spray on finish on the hair side in the past on some strings I was using for knots. If I was worried about the color change.

Mike

[entiendo]

I think you need to tighten your knots. I use a cutting board and a clean piece of wood to roll. It rolls a little easier if it's a little damp.