Covering handles for crops and other items

[LarryB]

I just found this... Thanks Drac for the help. I made a leather paddle and flogger.... No wife and I don't use it...it hurts lol and she hits back... hahaha but I seen these and just had to test my skills. It was not as nice as the one you made here. Again, thanks for sharing.

Edited March 19, 2008 by LarryB

[Drac]

larry

let me guess, she holds the flogger by the wrong end when she hits back? *L* just keep tryin' 'em and you'll get 'em perfect in no time.

[Paulanator]

Hey Drac,

I am gathering my supplies for my first try at this project, and I was wondering what type/weight leather you are using for the handle wrap.

I was guessing 2-3 or 3-4 oz leather?

any good tips on buying it, ie: smaller quantities so I can get more to try and sample, different names they call it, etc.

Thanks,

I am pumped and ready to try this.

Paul

[Drac]

paul

glad I could give ya the incentive to give this a shot! I use various weights ranging from 1-2 oz to 3-4 oz. ya really don't want to go thicker than that and I tend to stick with the lighter weights mostly. I've used glazed kidskin, latigo, suede, garment, lacing and a few others. it kinda depends on where you're gonna get the leather from as to what the place will call it. basically if it's thin and you like the way it looks, use it. I've gotten scraps to use and whole hides just because I liked the color. as long as a piece will yield the amount you need for what ever braid you decide on, I say grab it. and make sure ya post pics when it's completed!

[Paulanator]

Hey Drac,

thanks for the quick response. I was thinking right along the lines of what you were saying, very cool!

I will surely put up a pic.

I can't wait to get my supplies, now off to go buy some leather!

Paul

paul

glad I could give ya the incentive to give this a shot! I use various weights ranging from 1-2 oz to 3-4 oz. ya really don't want to go thicker than that and I tend to stick with the lighter weights mostly. I've used glazed kidskin, latigo, suede, garment, lacing and a few others. it kinda depends on where you're gonna get the leather from as to what the place will call it. basically if it's thin and you like the way it looks, use it. I've gotten scraps to use and whole hides just because I liked the color. as long as a piece will yield the amount you need for what ever braid you decide on, I say grab it. and make sure ya post pics when it's completed!

[SCOUTER]

Drac, The tutorial was fantastic but the finished product was totally impressive! I always find it amazing how some people pick up different things easier then others. (left/right side brain maybe?) lacing has always s l o w e d me down but you just breeze right thru it!

[Drac]

scouter

thanks! I came up with me way of doing the handles because I didn't want to try to take the time to practice doing it the traditional way until I got it right. *L* plus this way is actually so much quicker than the traditional way, way easier and ya don't have to worry about hand cramps! with the turkshead, that's a different story! it took me a long time to figure those out. as simple as they are, they gave me migraines several times. I don't pick things up quickly at all. when I first started doing the turksheads, it would take me an hour to an hour and a half to do one and they wouldn't always come out correctly. now I've figured out a couple of tricks (like the part where ya make sure the front "V" lines up with the back middle strand after the thrid time around) and can do one in 20-25 minutes.

[Hedge]

scouter

thanks! I came up with me way of doing the handles because I didn't want to try to take the time to practice doing it the traditional way until I got it right. *L* plus this way is actually so much quicker than the traditional way, way easier and ya don't have to worry about hand cramps! with the turkshead, that's a different story! it took me a long time to figure those out. as simple as they are, they gave me migraines several times. I don't pick things up quickly at all. when I first started doing the turksheads, it would take me an hour to an hour and a half to do one and they wouldn't always come out correctly. now I've figured out a couple of tricks (like the part where ya make sure the front "V" lines up with the back middle strand after the thrid time around) and can do one in 20-25 minutes.

Nice job on the tut, Drac and that ain't a bad Turk's head. I'd like to encourage you to pursue knot braiding. You could make some

sweet looking pieces and they would command a little more in price. 2 reference I'd recommend getting:

Gail Hought's "The Art of Braiding" the basics-revised ed. and the Tom Hall series on Turk's heads. Execllent presentations.

Gary

[carr52]

drac, my heads still exploding over the turks head

Dont feel bad Roo. I'm still wrestling with it. If some one looked in my window it probably looks like 2 monkeys humping football.

[Paulanator]

I think I saw you through the window, and I feel the same way, but I have 3 monkeys!!

I just cannot get the Turks head. I have been working for two weeks on and off of course, but just cannot get it. I will not give up, and will get it, I know one day, it is going to snap.. or I am going to snap.. lol

I loved doing the handle, I was happy how it came out for the first of anything like this I have ever done. Also Drac's instructions on cutting the tails straight rock, I got really nice tails, and really nice handle, but no turk's heads yet..

Paul

Dont feel bad Roo. I'm still wrestling with it. If some one looked in my window it probably looks like 2 monkeys humping football.

Edited June 9, 2008 by Paulanator