lanyards, tethers, sinnets, lucets, knots, rope, line, cordage, gimp

Bladite

Bladite

ǝɹnsıǝן ɟo uɐɯǝןʇuǝb
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remember these?

http://www.boondoggleman.com/prj_cobra_bracelet1.htm
http://www.boondoggleman.com/

as many may know, or knot know, one of my interests are the fibre (and leather) arts, making fibres from scratch be it plants and trees and roots, or wooooly beasts and spinning (currently hand spindle, someday a real wheel), as related stuff of crochet, knitting, weaving, braiding, tieing, and ... well, you get the idea...

seems to be a big resurrgence in such arts among many spectrums, and i'm seeing a lot of knives sporting some really well made lanyards and things. i believe some of them are for sale in various places on various forums. good stuff, good prices if you aren't into it.

me? i dig making things, so, i do all kinds of nifty things. been finding a lot of websites (like the above), that explains many cool stuff; things i've only seen in my extensive book collection (30 books on knots/braiding alone :>)

i know that sarge there makes his own cords with a lucet. yar.

for the pretty stuff, a good cheap start is:
the morrow guide to knots by mario bigon and guido regazzoni
pocket guide to knots and splices by des pawson
the ultimate encyclopedia of knots and ropework by geoffrey budworth
(this title is usually something like $6 at borders special price)... +++!

behold, the power of the intarweb :)

http://www.realknots.com/

http://www.lighthound.com/info/lanyard_weaving.htm

http://www.militaryheritage.com/knot.htm

oh, and of course, hair braiding. guys, wimmins lurve their guys to brush, comb, and braid their hairs. oh my yes. wimmins, your guy with long hair lurves it too :> http://www.dreamweaverbraiding.com/

bladite
 
I've got a lady friend who does the drop spindle spinning. She wants a spinning wheel also, but apparently the durn things carry an outrageous price tag. Maybe I'll tinker around a bit and see if I can't make her one. Squared away gal, I've taught her a lot of folkcraft skills, and I'm always tickled at how eager and intent she is to learn. 'Course I'm bad about spoiling girls, 'specially purty ones that ain't skeered to try their hand at whittling. She's probably the only person I know that owns a hand forged, left handed spoon carving knife, with an antler handle mounted in sterling silver.;)

She's been trying to decide what style of weaving loom she wants me to help her build, but it dawned on her that the loom is a moot point until she can up her spinning output. So, the writing, as they say, is on the wall, the quest for a decent, and affordable, spinning wheel has begun.

Sarge
 
Sylvrfalcn said:
I've got a lady friend who does the drop spindle spinning. She wants a spinning wheel also, but apparently the durn things carry an outrageous price tag. Maybe I'll tinker around a bit and see if I can't make her one. Squared away gal, I've taught her a lot of folkcraft skills, and I'm always tickled at how eager and intent she is to learn. 'Course I'm bad about spoiling girls, 'specially purty ones that ain't skeered to try their hand at whittling. She's probably the only person I know that owns a hand forged, left handed spoon carving knife, with an antler handle mounted in sterling silver.;)

She's been trying to decide what style of weaving loom she wants me to help her build, but it dawned on her that the loom is a moot point until she can up her spinning output. So, the writing, as they say, is on the wall, the quest for a decent, and affordable, spinning wheel has begun.

Sarge
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cool beans!

spinning wheels - good pretty ones, yup, spendy. sometimes you can find them used in craigslist or various yard sales and what not. i know someone that scored a good one for $50. i also know a couple people that have made them, a 20" bmx bicycle wheel/rim being a key component, and some pvc pipe, and wood... the hardcore can make everything, but one could make the frame/wheel/treadle and buy a commercial lazy-kate/bobbins thang:
http://yarn.com/webs/0/1/0/0-0-1152/

http://www.joyofhandspinning.com/wheel-styles.html

http://www.google.com/search?q=how+to+make+spinning+wheels

lalala

bladite
 
If anyone has any resources on how to braid rattan onto handles, I'd love to learn. An example of what I'd like to do is this. Picture is borrowed from the Ethnographic forum, from Kino.

Steve
 

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If anyone has any resources on how to braid rattan onto handles, I'd love to learn.
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Also for cord. I have a kora-gripped kukri by Kumar that would be a lot easier and safer to use if I could figure out how to braid the handle like a real kora.
 

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I too am interested in cordage and braiding . I have learned the basic flemish twist which I utilise for bow strings . I have made them from Dacron , artificial sinew , jute , hemp and Irish linen . I am going to make one from silk . This will proabably be an endless loop string . Not really braided though there is serving techniques used on it . I have made about three feet of knitting wool from one of those drop spinners . I just wanted to learn how to do it . If I get a chance and some raw materials I may try to spin a worthwhile length . I will look at the links you posted and get back to you for help . Have you made nettle into cordage ? That is supposed to make a good bowstring .
 
Kevin the grey said:
I too am interested in cordage and braiding . I have learned the basic flemish twist which I utilise for bow strings . I have made them from Dacron , artificial sinew , jute , hemp and Irish linen . I am going to make one from silk . This will proabably be an endless loop string . Not really braided though there is serving techniques used on it . I have made about three feet of knitting wool from one of those drop spinners . I just wanted to learn how to do it . If I get a chance and some raw materials I may try to spin a worthwhile length . I will look at the links you posted and get back to you for help . Have you made nettle into cordage ? That is supposed to make a good bowstring .
Click to expand...

i have nettles and bull thistles growing out back... i intend to harvest them and try stuff out per my many outdoors books. a few websites like paleo planet, and primitiveways.com are pretty cool... they have instructions as well.

books i highly recommend:

"braiding rawhide horse tack" by robert l woolery
"encyclopedia of rawhide and leather braiding" bruce grant $30

both of those cover extensive braids, weaves, turks heads, and my god, it's amazing. want handles? yah. i'm guessing that prepared wet rattan works up just like leather strips or gimp... you just have to keep it wet and dry slowly... these books are amazing.

the ashley book of knots is commonly available and good. another very good book (better imho someways), is:
"encyclopedia of knots and fancy rope work" by graumont and hensel $40

there's some other good books i've seen lately, relatively new, but don't as yet own - i think there's a limit on how many one can own :)

still, check out: http://www.westernstageprops.com for all these books, and more, tons of cowboy tack (very much like sword handles)... plus other neat things like books on knive and tomahawk throwing, and fake sheriffs badges of the old west, and rubber crowbars for fake cowboy fights.... and ... :)

bladite
 
ferguson said:
If anyone has any resources on how to braid rattan onto handles, I'd love to learn. An example of what I'd like to do is this. Picture is borrowed from the Ethnographic forum, from Kino.
Steve
Click to expand...

between the referenced books and :
"splint woven basketry" by robin taylor daugherty

which covers plants, materials, handling somewhat, and various baskets, maybe you'll have a shot :)

bladite
 
Berkley said:
Also for cord. I have a kora-gripped kukri by Kumar that would be a lot easier and safer to use if I could figure out how to braid the handle like a real kora.
Click to expand...

Hey Berk, maybe these will help http://www.northcoastknives.com/northcoast_knives_tutorials_CordWrap.htm
http://www.throwzini.com/cord_wrapping.html

The technique isn't really braiding or knotting, just wrapping and twisting, piece of cake. And no, you don't gotta have a hole in the handle like the fellers in the links. You've got a big old flared pommel to keep your wrap from sliding off.

Sarge
 
Thanks, Sarge - looks like something even I might be able to make work after a couple of practice runs:) .
Berk
 
If you use a flat, ribbon like, cord or lace, the twist effect can be made to look more dramatic, in the same manner as wraps on katanas. For a quick, field expedient flat cord, get some 550 cord (it comes in colors nowadays, can you imagine that?) and carefully extract the inner strands from the outer "sheath". What you're left with will flatten out nicely. Didn't have e-mail, laptop computers that play DVDs, and such like that back in Desert Storm. Some of the stuff guys braided/knotted out of 550 cord was pretty amazing. 'Course back then you could get it in any color you wanted, as long as it was Olive Drab. :rolleyes: :D

Sarge
 
ferguson said:
If anyone has any resources on how to braid rattan onto handles, I'd love to learn. An example of what I'd like to do is this. Picture is borrowed from the Ethnographic forum, from Kino.

Steve
Click to expand...

From your pictures, it looks as if a technique used in braiding leather would work A good book is the Encyclopedia of Rawhide and Leather Braiding by Bruce Grant, (1972). It has a lot of pictures & how-to instructions. Good luck!
 
Bill Marsh said:
Howard,

Does this tell about how to braid rattan. I woudl really like to learn that!
Click to expand...

I don't remember anything specific to rattan. You may be able to adapt some of the rope work, like a turk's head, for rattan "braids" around handles.
 
Bladite, I wish I had half of your skills and half of Sarge's skills.

I figure, then I could either remake the world or conquor it.

I can only knock out a knife and remove the cosmolene from a mil-surp.

Wish you guys would come out with tutorials that are stickys.
 
Sylvrfalcn said:
I've got a lady friend who does the drop spindle spinning. She wants a spinning wheel also, but apparently the durn things carry an outrageous price tag. Maybe I'll tinker around a bit and see if I can't make her one. Squared away gal, I've taught her a lot of folkcraft skills, and I'm always tickled at how eager and intent she is to learn. 'Course I'm bad about spoiling girls, 'specially purty ones that ain't skeered to try their hand at whittling. She's probably the only person I know that owns a hand forged, left handed spoon carving knife, with an antler handle mounted in sterling silver.;)

She's been trying to decide what style of weaving loom she wants me to help her build, but it dawned on her that the loom is a moot point until she can up her spinning output. So, the writing, as they say, is on the wall, the quest for a decent, and affordable, spinning wheel has begun.

Sarge
Click to expand...

Hi Sarge:

What a coincidence. I have a lady friend too. I break horsies for her. She can't make anything but is a lot of fun in the barn and the pool when her husband is away.

I forgive her for not being able to make any crafts.
 
Steve Poll said:
Hi Sarge:

What a coincidence. I have a lady friend too. I break horsies for her. She can't make anything but is a lot of fun in the barn and the pool when her husband is away.

I forgive her for not being able to make any crafts.
Click to expand...

Steve, that sounds like the kind of lady friend that'll get a feller a load of buckshot in the backside. ;) The particular lady friend I was talking about is a company commander in the Army, but I bet her troopies ain't never seen her in her belly dance outfit. :D

Sarge
 
Bladite said:
i have nettles and bull thistles growing out back... i intend to harvest them and try stuff out per my many outdoors books. a few websites like paleo planet, and primitiveways.com are pretty cool... they have instructions as well.

....

the ashley book of knots is commonly available and good. another very good book (better imho someways), is:
"encyclopedia of knots and fancy rope work" by graumont and hensel $40


bladite
Click to expand...


I totally agree with Bladite's mention of the Ashley Book of Knots. I would only add that I think it isn't just good, it's outstanding.

IMHO, Clifford Ashley was the absolute authority on knots, braids, and the like during his day (1881-1947) and for decades afterward. He "collected" knots nearly all his life and worked for a timeaboard a whaler. His book, "The Ashley Book of Knots" contains, if I remember correctly, over 5000knots, braids, hitches sinnets, splices, etc.. It addresses string and rope more than other materials, but much of the info still applies. It sells new for around $50, but if you are really interested in knots, it's a steal. (It's a steal compared to many other books on knots when you consider the price/knot ratio.) The presentation does however, take some getting used to.

Wow, I didn't intend to get up on a soap box about that book, but here I am.:p I will have to check out the other books mentioned by Bladite.:thumbup:
 
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