High Country Tack

LINKS

U-BRAID-IT  Carries a great selection of braiding supplies and instruction books. They supply some of the best kangaroo lace (in my opinion) available for the money. I use their roo lace for many of my projects.

David Morgan   Another supplier of braiding supplies, including rawhide cores for quirts and Roo lace/hides.

HOUGHT FINE ARTS AND LEATHER    Show quality horse gear as well as supplies and instruction books. Beautiful work.

I became interested in knot tying as a Boy Scout. I quickly learned  many of the scouting knots and was always looking for new knots to tie. Later,  I was introduced to "decorative marlinespike" or fancy knot tying by a friend and ex-Navy Boatswain.  My interest in nautical knotwork is evident in the knotboards I do for special presentations.

After years of tying fancy knots with rope, a coworker challenged me to make a braided hat band from hand cut leather. Unable to find any experienced leather braiders to mentor me, I bought a lace cutter, scrap leather  and a copy of Bruce Grant's book; Encyclopedia of Leather and Rawhide Braiding and made my first piece, a crude 4-strand hat band. After much practice and trial and error, I've developed my skills enough to make finely crafted pieces, many  of which have won awards.

I'm pretty much self taught as there are relatively few professional braiders around (at least I couldn't find any in New Mexico). I strive to make every piece as if it were being entered in a show.  I guarantee satisfaction with all my work.