Anchoring Knots And Building Up Knots

[Tracym]

So two things I'm looking for ideas about - anchoring knots to braids securely, and also building up the shape

On dog leads, the knots take a fair amount of stress, I want to make sure they really don’t slide. For round knots, I can just do a 4-strand ring knot, then do a pineapple or gaucho or whatever over the knot. But covering the back braids, especially if I don’t want a lot of volume, or knots anchoring the beads where I’d prefer a flat shape – anyone have any other techniques to suggest? I put the strands used to build the pineapple thorugh the braid, but I’m not sure that will be good enough. I’m considering a couple 2-strand ring knots underneath to hopefully anchor it, without adding a lot of volume.

Secondly, methods for building up a knot that is anchored. I’m going to try the 2-part epoxy method for sliding knots. But others I probably don’t want to be that hard. I believe I’ve heard of using waxed thread to build up a base for a knot? Alone? Or filling in gaps between other base knots? Any points on the technique used to do this, and advantages or disadvantages?

[bucksnort]

Tracym, I use the 2 part epoxy to fill gaps & smooth out under back braids & heel knots, but wouldn't recommend it on slide buttons, I think the movement & flexing would cause it to break apart. For smaller diameter buttons, I work the button directly on the braid & use a ring knot on each end thru the braid to keep it from moving. For building up & shaping buttons, my personal favorite is Sealtex track bandage over a ring knot. It is latex rubber that sticks only to itself & is tan in color, so it doesn't show thru any small gaps too bad. I'm sure others will give some other methods & you'll be able to come up with what suits you best. Also, if you check past posts, I think I recall seeing this covered before. Good Luck & Merry Christmas. Buck

[curlyjo]

I use rawhide to put under finished buttons, either a foundation or full ring button with the standing end tucked through the braided body. When the rawhide dries, it sucks down tight and the buried string keeps it from moving. Between ring buttons on a nosebutton, I wrap with a 3/8ths or so piece of leather, glued down the whole length and then cover with brown electrical tape. I split the leather first so it's even and it's a good use of some poor quality long scrap that you always find in the bottom of your pile. It firms up the nosebutton and helps it hold its shape. Or just work a piece of leather or rawhide in and out around the braided piece through the braids where the finished button goes. Hope this helps. Brad

[Tracym]

Thanks for all the ideas. I should have mentioned that I am using kangaroo leather, and pretty small strings. I'm doing ok with it, but trying to get things perfectly smooth and not too large is my challenge. I think cutting and gluing strips of leather is probably going to take too much time and maybe be a little beyond me. Also, knots on a dog lead take a lot of stress - the handlers tend to grab on to them. So I need them really well anchored to the braid.

[bucksnort]

Sounds like they need to halter break those hounds a little better. Buck

[Tracym]

Hahaha no, train the handlers to not DO that Seriously though, walking big dogs around on skinny leashes, anywhere beads and knots are just make a natural sort of "stop".

[Sovran81]

Isnt that like teaching an old dog new tricks?

[Tracym]

Probably haha - I think the dogs are easier to train