Lanyard Help Requested, Please...

[TXAG]

http://khww.net/view....php?page_id=25

Yes...I did try the tutorials I saw on that page prior to posting this thread...It was actually one of the first places I looked for instructions. Unfortunately, I have trouble following them.

I've already looked in the places everyone knows about for instructions on turksheads...hoping someone else will have some possibly not as well-known links, like the one KnotHead provided before...I had not seen that one previously.

Thanks for the link though. Maybe it will help someone else having trouble.

Edited July 5, 2013 by TXAG

[megabit]

Braiding Rawhide Horse Tack by Robert L. Woolery http://www.ubraidit.com/supplies-detail.php?item=33]here[/url] does a very nice job of explaining how to tie buttons as does Gail Hought: http://www.hought.com/

Get some para cord practice, struggle and post pictures of your problems here. If that is too much work then I'd suggest google shopping lanyards.

For a compass I'd likely just go with a single piece of paracord with a lanyard knot by the compass and hangman style quick release. Along the lines of http://www.instructables.com/id/Break-Away-Lanyard-Knot/#step1]this[/url]

[TXAG]

NVM...not important and definitely not worth it...

Edited July 5, 2013 by TXAG

[penguineer]

Can't really offer much in the way of specific "how to do it" on the turks heads, apart from how I managed to figure it out.

Basically - persevere and practice. If you can figure out a 3/5 and a 4/5 turks head you have the basis of practically every other turks head(figuring out how to "raise" a turks head is another topic however).

I found that things made more sense if I used diagrams from one book that seemed clear and the instructions from another - just the way they are written or drawn can change the way you understand them.

You may be working with a mandrel or piece of dowel to set the knot up? Try doing the knot in some light cord around the first two fingers of your left(or non-dominant) hand - it keeps that hand out of the way, makes front and back of the knot obvious and I found it easier to spread the knot out to look like the pictures without it slipping out of shape. Most of the work is done on the front of the knot and you should only need to turn it over once or twice.

Ron Edwards(Aussie) turks heads books had the description and diagrams on how to do the knots around your fingers, but I think I used the wording from Ashleys to understand some parts.

Rolling the braid does help - try putting the braid on a bench and rolling a small piece of board across it - initially you will hear a thmp-thp-bmp-thmp noise as you roll top piece of board across it, but that will change to a wrr-wrr-wrr as the lumps and bumps get compressed. Then look at the braid and run your hand along it with your eyes closed - much smoother and I think the braid flexes easier, not as stiff.

Bevelling lace can be done with a sharp edge beveler(reasonably cheap tool from a leather supplier) - lay a ruler on your bench, lay the lace alongside and run the beveller along the outside edge of the lace, move the lace along until the full length is done on one side, then turn the lace around and do the other side.

It's not a perfect job, but it does reduce the bulk on the edges and makes the rolled braid much smoother.

Splitting lace is really just ensuring a uniform thickness. There's any variety of gadgets to do it, but I use a straight blade and a jig made out of cereal packets. Essentially, two strips of card the thickness of the final lace glued to a larger piece of card so the lace runs between them. Lay the lace in the "tunnel", put the knife across the top of the two pieces of card and pull the lace through.

It may take a little practice to get this happening smoothly without cutting the lace, but the end result is worth it.

Cheers!

[TXAG]

Still not having much luck at all in learning how to make the decorative beads for the lanyard I want to build. Wish I could find someone local to ask for help. There was one guy that seemed to post regularly on here but it appears he's dropped off the face of the Earth...(I sent him a PM, but he hasn't been back here since May).

I was thinking about ordering Gail Hought's books after reading many positive things about them in other threads on here. I'm hoping the pictures and illustrations in those books are better than the Grant book I have...I am unable to follow several of them. I read someone else said there are steps missing in some of them, so that's always great too.

Thinking about breaking down and just buying the lanyard from someone that will make me one that knows what they're doing. I need to figure out my threshhold of how long I want to bang my head against a concrete wall vs. just buying the thing.

Edited August 29, 2013 by TXAG

[KnotHead]

I have all of Tom Hall's books. The I refer back to for reference the most is, Introduction to Turk's Head Knots which can be found at this web address http://www.ubraidit.com/supplies-detail.php?item=41... I find that his illustrative instructions are much easier to follow. But that's just me and my opinion.

I don't know where you are located, or I would suggest some help as you have mentioned.

Brian...

[megabit]

Do you know more or less what you intend to make? I mean what buttons, how many, from what (roo, leather, rawhide)?

Get some para cord and practice the 5p4b turks head on your finger or a dowel until you can almost tie it in your sleep. Once you can tie it without looking at any of the instructions start working on doing the interweaves to make the pineapple, but make sure you have the base knot down before you move on.

Tom Halls books always get good reviews, but I don't have them so I can't comment. I like Robert Woolery's Braiding Rawhide Horse Tack, he does a very good job of explaining turks heads and pineapples.

http://khww.net/viewpage.php?page_id=25 is also a very good resource. I find the tutorials by the late Bud Brewer to be the best ones.

How to make the 5p4b turkshead

http://khww.net/articles.php?article_id=101

How to make a 5p4b turkshead into a pineapple

http://khww.net/articles.php?article_id=34

Gaucho Knot from 5p4b turkshead

http://khww.net/articles.php?article_id=6

Ginfer knot (makes a very neat and different button, I used it on my bridle reins)

http://khww.net/articles.php?article_id=78

finished romal reins by ss1442, on Flickr

[TXAG]

Thanks, KH...I will try to get that book. I ordered two other books yesterday, so hopefully they will help too.

[TXAG]

So...I found this page...

http://pineappleknotstutorials.over-blog.org/article-making-the-7x6-turk-s-head-knot-using-the-mule-90261560.html

...which led me to this link...

http://books.google.com/books?id=diG_FXiJMzkC&pg=PA22&dq=5+lead+4+bight+turk%27s+head+instructions&ei=DPSySaHzIoTOlQT6_YGvDg#v=onepage&q=5%20lead%204%20bight%20turk's%20head%20instructions&f=false

...and I think I FINALLY was able to tie this knot correctly. I will find out later when I try it again and then will add variations once I can tie it quickly.

I did receive the books I ordered from Gail Hought...they are very well-made and the illustrations are great in them. I think once I get a bit more experience tying the 5x4, I will be able to progress through her books with time and practice.

[TXAG]

Did these last night...hopefully, they are correct 5x4 TH...

Edited September 5, 2013 by TXAG