Braiding Show Leads

[woody2shoes]

hi teresa, i think you have the bevelers mixed up....edge bevelers are for veg tanned leather, what you are looking for is a lace beveler....some very experienced braiders can do this with just a sharp blade, but for the rest of us we need more help......again, youtube is your friend. I have this set-up..aussie made !

but there are many different types including homemade ones.. When talking about splitting lace, this is referring to the thickness of the roo not the width of the lace. Bought roo lacing usually doesn't need splitting. I bought the splitter from dene williams, (from the rm williams family) you can find his details here as well as some other useful links. http://leatherworker...usefullinks.htm

cheers

Thanks Caroline. Well, don't I feel stupid! I guess better that I find out now than later duh! What an amazing gadget that one. So, does the one tool split and bevel? It was hard to tell if it was one and the same tool I'm afraid.

And, is the Craftool lace cutter that I bought adequate for cutting roo hide lacing?

Thanks again for your help!

ther is 4 books by gail hought on braid that could help you out . look up her name and give her a shout she has a books on step by step lnstrutions cwsadd05

Thanks for the tip cw! Cheers!

[woody2shoes]

You're welcome and yes the techniques can used with kangaroo as well. I believe that turks heads are still the most popular covering for braid work still. Of course, I am only speaking for myself on that.

Here's a photo of one of my more recent projects of a dog leash without a core.

It is a 4 strand round braid, no core. Done in whiskey tan kangaroo. The knot work is 2 7part, 6 bight pine apple knots top and bottom. The braids where the handle intersects with the rest of the lead is a split T braid done in a herringbone style braid. You will find two of those top and bottom.

The books I mentioned will be more than sufficient for you to learn button work from. Learning the basics of turks heads will be first on the list before you move on to the interweaves. Tom Hall's book Introduction to Turks Heads will teach you just that and some really awesome interweaves. Each author mentioned has their own way of explaining things. Some easier than others. Most important, is that you take your time and learn the basics of turks heads. Don't bite off more than what you can swallow. The key thing here is don't give up on your learning.

Brian...

Lovely job Brian. I really like that. Beautiful. Now, I managed to find the other three books on Amazon but I have yet to locate the Tom Hall book you recommend. I will keep on searching. If I want to be able to dye my own lacing, I guess that opens up a whole new can of worms? I am into pretty colours and so are most of the showies I hope to appeal to.

Cheers and thanks so much again for all your help. I would love to be able to braid like you one day. And don't worry, giving up is not an option. Trying to take baby steps...now that might be another matter altogther.

Teresa

[KnotHead]

Tom Hall's book Introduction to Turks Heads can be purchased at UBraidit for $26.95...

Brian...

[leatheroo]

hi teresa, i am haven't used the craft tool lace cutter, but it should do the job. I have the aussie strander. The lace is cut wider than you need. It then needs to be stretch. Next the lace is cut down to the size you need using the gadget in the video and then the undersides are beveled. Once again, here is a vid on bernie cutting lace

PS don't feel stupid!! we all have to learn and thats whats great about this site.

cheers

caroline

Edited March 8, 2012 by leatheroo

[roo4u]

here are some pictures of my leads....

[bullwhips]

I was going to post some videos here of me cutting, paring / beveling and splitting by hand to show you don't need to buy any fancy tools to make dog leads, but for some reason this forum wasn't letting me post them.

I put them up on my blog at http://bullwhips.org I hope they inspire someone to learn a new skill!

Louie

Edited March 10, 2012 by bullwhips

[ShannonS]

If you purchase Gail Hought's books, you will not need anything else, for round braiding or braided buttons. Well worth the money for the aggravation you will save. Her button directions are BY FAR the easiest to follow.

Almost all dog show leads are made from kangaroo leather, primarily lace that is 1/8" wide. I use 3/32" lace for all of my braided buttons. You should have plenty of choices where you are at - I like Birdsall's lace. I do not recommend using metallic lace. The finish will not hold up to use. Use cores in everything you make. The European, Pandora style beads will fit almost all 4 strand leads, most 6 strand leads and some 8 strand leads. Ebay is by far the cheapest for these beads, ordering them from the suppliers in China. Look around before buying though...I think some of them operate under several names and you can find identical beads under different stores for different amounts. I know shipping to the US is free, don't know about Australia.

Feel free to look around my website. I am more than happy to answer any questions. I have a number of my leads being used in the breed rings down there.

www.leashesbydesign.com

Shannon

[Tracym]

I am brand new also, and want to make a show lead (or a couple) for my dogs.

ShannonS - may I ask what is the knot you use that holds the beads? That is lovely.

I've been reading, but have so many questions. Just to start - I'm trying to figure out what I need to purchase. I'm (at least to start) only planning to make a few leads, so I'd probably rather buy the lace.

1. Where do members suggest to buy the lace? Preferably by the yard, not a whole spool.

2. I've read that most leads are 4 strand. Yet I see reference to up to 8 strand. I have an Irish Setter, but I'd like the more fancy looking leads, not a really heavy one. I do intend to add beads. I'm not sure just what thickness of lace eis best. For example, the company below (which I was considering) offers 1/8, 3/16, 1/4, etc.

http://www.amazing-l...eter/cat_3.html

3. I do know how to braid, and have no problem doing 6 strand instead of 4 strand. But I think most I've seen was 4 strand. I was considering the 1/8 or 3/16 and doing 4 strand?

4. I read it's better if the lace is beveled. Are these sold beveled? If not, what do I need?

5. I believe I also need needles. Where does one look for these? Any particular kind?

6. I would like to use core. I've seen spider wire fishing line referenced. Also sinew (tandy leather company). What do members think are best?

7. Hardware if I choose to use that - swivel? ring? snaps? Where does one find good quality.

Anything else I need?

Thanks in advance for any help. Off to hunt for bead sources...

I'm sure I'll have a lot more to figure out. But purchasing something to start with is the first step I guess.

Edited March 24, 2012 by Tracym