Members TXAG Posted July 2, 2013 Members Report Posted July 2, 2013 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... Quote
Members TXAG Posted July 3, 2013 Author Members Report Posted July 3, 2013 Thanks for all the help here. Quote
Members KnotHead Posted July 3, 2013 Members Report Posted July 3, 2013 (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. Brian... Edited July 3, 2013 by KnotHead Quote Best Regards, Brian Kidd
Members TXAG Posted July 3, 2013 Author Members Report Posted July 3, 2013 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... Quote
Members KnotHead Posted July 3, 2013 Members Report Posted July 3, 2013 You're welcome. Brian... Quote Best Regards, Brian Kidd
Members megabit Posted July 3, 2013 Members Report Posted July 3, 2013 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. Quote
Members TXAG Posted July 5, 2013 Author Members Report Posted July 5, 2013 (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 July 5, 2013 by TXAG Quote
Members megabit Posted July 5, 2013 Members Report Posted July 5, 2013 http://khww.net/viewpage.php?page_id=25 Quote
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