New To Braiding

[megabit]

but I agree with megabit and prefer rawhide.

Thanks for having my back buckaroo.

[CritterPoor]

where do you guys normally get your paracord and lace? do you just order them online?

[Aggiebraider]

Ubraidit.com has probably the best selection of paracord and understand what braiders want as far as core material, colors, etc. The roo and other leather lace that most places sell thats precut isnt worth much, but springfield leather has some good stuff from what I have heard. If you are just starting out and arent worried about quality that much, you could just get some precut roo at Tandy, but if you want nice pieces early, dont go there. Most of us cut all of our own lace from hides. I wouldnt start there as there is a big learning curve for it and its a pretty serious investment since most quality lace cutters run $200+. If you wanted some good quality lace, you might be able to sweet talk one of us with a cutter into selling you some. Welcome to the forum and feel fortunate that you found it when you were starting since I braided for 6 years before I found LW lol. I taught myself with NO HELP OR ADVICE and if you cant tell, it was really frustrating at times.

Good luck!

CW

[Nod4Eight]

Thanks for having my back buckaroo.

Bridle horses, drop shank spurs, flat hats and rawhide - gotta love it all!

I can't help you with paracord as I've never used it. As far as lace - most of us do cut it ourselves. It can be done without the expensive cutters but takes a lot of practice and wastes a lot of material during the learning curve. I started practicing with the plastic lace you can get at craft stores. It works to learn the braids, but the memory it retains is a pain! Learn to bevel your edges as well, it makes the finished product look so much better and helps build confidence - a good thing in a craft that can be frustrating at times.

As far as the rawhide - I don't think I've seen anyone make leashes out of it so stick with roo or some form of cheaper tanned leather. I have actually had success braiding and edging with chrome tanned hides I cut down to lace.

[megabit]

I've seen a leash out of rawhide, in fact I see it every time my wife walks our dog.

My leash thread

[CritterPoor]

Ubraidit.com has probably the best selection of paracord and understand what braiders want as far as core material, colors, etc. The roo and other leather lace that most places sell thats precut isnt worth much, but springfield leather has some good stuff from what I have heard. If you are just starting out and arent worried about quality that much, you could just get some precut roo at Tandy, but if you want nice pieces early, dont go there. Most of us cut all of our own lace from hides. I wouldnt start there as there is a big learning curve for it and its a pretty serious investment since most quality lace cutters run $200+. If you wanted some good quality lace, you might be able to sweet talk one of us with a cutter into selling you some. Welcome to the forum and feel fortunate that you found it when you were starting since I braided for 6 years before I found LW lol. I taught myself with NO HELP OR ADVICE and if you cant tell, it was really frustrating at times.

Good luck!

CW

Thanks for the website suggestion, I'll definitely check it out.

I'm definitely not looking into spending $200 right off the bat, maybe later. I'll practice my sweet talking for when I'm ready to get good material.

Yuck, I'm not sure I'll be able to do this without help and advice. I would probably pull my hair out.

Bridle horses, drop shank spurs, flat hats and rawhide - gotta love it all!

I can't help you with paracord as I've never used it. As far as lace - most of us do cut it ourselves. It can be done without the expensive cutters but takes a lot of practice and wastes a lot of material during the learning curve. I started practicing with the plastic lace you can get at craft stores. It works to learn the braids, but the memory it retains is a pain! Learn to bevel your edges as well, it makes the finished product look so much better and helps build confidence - a good thing in a craft that can be frustrating at times.

As far as the rawhide - I don't think I've seen anyone make leashes out of it so stick with roo or some form of cheaper tanned leather. I have actually had success braiding and edging with chrome tanned hides I cut down to lace.

How do you bevel edges? Does the lace normally come this way if I order it online or does it just depend?

Thanks!

I've seen a leash out of rawhide, in fact I see it every time my wife walks our dog.

My leash thread

That's awesome. I've never seen a rawhide leash before. Thanks for sharing it. Those knots look impossible!

[Nod4Eight]

If you are asking how "I" bevel - don't listen to the advice. I've tried it free hand and then made a small jig to do it. It's tough to do unless you have the proper tools. As far as buying beveled lace - I think you can, at least from people on here. I've never seen it in stores, but I usually buy leather at Tandy which is not the best source (but it's local). Also, on some very thin roo I have has decent luck with not beveling and rolling the heck out of it. Prestretch the string if you do that though.

[roo4u]

the only problem with rawhide leashes is most dogs find rawhide hard to resist....

[entiendo]

I thought a leash could be made with rawhide. I mean if reins can be made with it, surely a leash too. Rawhide has a nice old fashioned look. I really want to learn some day.

[roo4u]

of course you can use rawhide for leashes....but i wouldnt recommend using it on a dog that is allowed to have rawhide chewies....i have some goat rawhide and was actually thinking it would make a very nice leash but would have to seal it cuz if goat gets too wet it stretches BAD....