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Posted

Howdy!

I've been a member for a while, but mostly read...I learn more by reading than posting. :)

I am in the National Guard and received a very nice compass for my promotion to Sergeant and wanted to learn how to make a lanyard for it. So I started reading threads in here and in other places...the more I looked into that, the more intrigued I became with the various knots and types of lanyards -- there is some really beautiful work shown here, btw! I've tried to learn some of the knots from online tutorials, but am having a bit of trouble.

I thought about asking someone to make a lanyard for me, but I think it would be better if I could learn how to make it myself. I know the basics of braiding (round 4-strand plait around a core, 6-strand round plait (and flat), stuff like that), but I don't have all the tools to bevel my lace and all...so it doesn't end up looking very "finished". Seems like it might be expensive to accumulate everything I need. :) (Maybe I should ask to buy one after all...hehe)

Right now, I am practicing with goatskin lace. I've read that kangaroo is the best, but should be split and beveled before use to result in a smooth finished product.

I've also read I need to roll my braid after soaping it to help smooth it out. I've tried doing this (on a tile floor) and it really isn't any smoother than it was before. Maybe I need to bevel the goatskin lace...(though I don't have a beveler). I'm using 3mm lace right now woven around a piece of 550 cord. The next step in my practice piece is to try to make a gaucho knot slide...still trying to find a good 5x4 turkshead tutorial that I can follow to start with and not having much luck finding one I can understand. I read that I should weave the knot over a piece of leather wrapped around where the knot will be so that it will slide easier on the lanyard.

Anyway, I will continue to read...if anyone has any other advice that I may need (or any particularly helpful tutorials that you've found helpful), please let me know. Forgot to mention I have the ABOK, Encyclopedia of Rawhide and Leather Braiding, and several other books on knots and braiding. I've been reading those a lot lately also. I'm going to hit them again tonight to see if I can find a good 5x4 turkshead diagram...

Sorry about rambling on there...just wanted folks to know that I have been reading a lot on this and searching threads here for info before posting. :)

Thanks for any assistance...

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Posted (edited)

Here's a video from youtube. Bernie46 gives a vid on how to make your home made beveler. By the way, you're on the right track. Just a 4 strand round braid with NO core should do the job quite well. Remember, don't over think the project, or over do the project.

This should also help you with a turks head. From Tom Hall's Introduction to Turks Heads.

post-1307-0-08195800-1372859285_thumb.jp

Brian...

Edited by KnotHead

Best Regards,

Brian Kidd

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Posted

Thanks very much for those...I appreciate this info.

Trying the turkshead again now...I keep getting lost between fig 5 and 6...will keep at it though...

Thanks again...

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Posted

You're welcome.

Brian...

Best Regards,

Brian Kidd

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Posted

Are you looking to hang the compass around your neck or just have a handle for it? If it is around your neck make sure it has some kind of breakaway so you don't get hung up by it.

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Posted (edited)

I probably should've mentioned that I've been making various types of lanyards for many years now...just not with leather...so I already know about breakaway clasps.

I also remove all items from around my neck prior to working on any sort of moving machinery anyway (as well as any and all other situations where I "might get hung up by it"), so.......yeah.

I did not ask for safety advice here -- I need help with the various knots and all. Thanks to folks that can provide any guidance on that info.

Edited by TXAG

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