Rawhide tutorial

[RockingMleather]

This thread was very helpful! Now where can i find out how to start cutting strands and braiding etc. Im sure i can figure out how to do different braiding patterns and how to make certain tack on this website but i am more concerned on learning the process after the tanning, like starting to cut to make thread and everything else i need to know. Thanks for any help.

[Hilly]

This thread was very helpful! Now where can i find out how to start cutting strands and braiding etc. Im sure i can figure out how to do different braiding patterns and how to make certain tack on this website but i am more concerned on learning the process after the tanning, like starting to cut to make thread and everything else i need to know. Thanks for any help.

One of our members "Whitebuff" makes a nice string maker for thinner leathers, such as calf. I bought one when I was a total newbie to braiding. I learned to use the string maker in about 20 minutes. Of course, I only make small items for now - bracelets, key fobs, scarf slides and such, and I use kangaroo hide, but the method is pretty much the same for anything braided.

I still want to take a stab at braiding with calf rawhide, but I just can't find the time right now.

[TexasLady]

This thread was very helpful! Now where can i find out how to start cutting strands and braiding etc.

I agree with 'Rocking'. I'm searching the forum today because I've purchased an entire small rawhide and I need to learn about cutting it into strands. I own an Australian Strander (from Tandy Leather). It doesn't look too difficult to figure out, but I haven't used it yet. It would be great if rgerbitz would show up again with the next steps. Somebody please come tell us how to make strands out of rawhide. (Something about needing a certain moisture content?) And if you know where there's a good rawhide whipmaking tutorial, better yet. - TexasLady

Edited August 1, 2009 by TexasLady

[JSaddlery]

First time at doing this, do you just use food grade vinegar or some other kind

[D.A. Kabatoff]

Rob,

thanks for that tutorial! I've heard different treemakers talk about making their rawhide before but I now have a new appreciation for what they go through!

Darc

[rgerbitz]

I just use whatever they are selling at the grocery store.

Rob

[rcsaddles]

Rob,

Very good on the tutorial. I may have to try this some day.

I just did an article on how I make rawhide for the APWA, (Australian Plaiters and Whipmakers Association) Journal. Not that I am an expert or anything. I was taught to make and braid rawhide by Mary Field who is in the Bruce Grant books.

I will chat with Johanna in the near future and see if she will help me in putting together my story with the pictures to post here.

I don't claim that my way is the best or easiest but think that the more info we have and ways to do things we can adjust our ways to improve what we do.

You did a great job on this. Keep up the good work.

[JSaddlery]

Ok, thanks Rob and just a question

1) What do you use for scraping all the excess fat and meat off the hide

I just use whatever they are selling at the grocery store.

Rob

[rgerbitz]

I use a boning or fillet knife and cut all the fat and crap off. I know some folks use a draw knife and have what the call a fleshing beam, something like what KAW uses when he is removing the hair in his tutorial.

Rob

[Boertjie]

I revisited this tutorial many times, made a few hides of rawhide (or should that be rawhide hides? Ha, Ha) and the recipe works like a bomb. I also discovered the limitless uses of rawhide. Sheep makes a beautifull thin rawhide that can be used on drums, tambourines and banjos but is useless for braiding. When dry, rawhide takes on a natural yellowish colour, very different from the white ones that you find on the mentioned musical instruments. In the Tandy catalog they advertise "bleached rawhide" that will probably have the white colour. Does anyone know how to bleach rawhide?