If you want to learn to plait, or knot, make whips, saddles, dog leads or fancy belts, these books
will give you detailed instructions on how to do it, with lots of images of each step in the
process to make learning easy.
Ron is well known in Australian leatherworking and whipmaking circles and his images are drawn as the project progresses.
Ron was an artist who drew all the images in his books as he went along, so these books have a unique feel to them.
Capturing the Australian bush and the people who live there was a passion of Rons and his detailed images of early life in this sometimes harsh environment allow us to feel what it was like living in isolation on stations.
He has also written books on the tools and toys of the pioneers of Australia, and because of that we can still make do with wire and leather when it's needed and you are a long way from a shop.
Mouseover cover images to see contents.
#1 Beginning Leatherwork |
A book for the complete beginner. It Tells how to buy leather, basic tools needed, how to apply designs, colour
work, and simple lacing techniques.
A few easy projects complete with full directions, plus a 20 page section of traceable designs.
The first book of its type published in Australia. 64 pages, 180 drawings.
Contents
Introduction, buying leather etc
Whip stitch
Comb case
Key Ring Tag
Key Ring on Belt Loop
Stockman's Belt
Wallet
Wrist Band
Simple Whip
Thongs
Padded Thongs
Double Pocket Wallet
Double Cordover
Cooler Cover
Key Case
Koala Purse
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#2 The Secret Plait |
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Use this button for
Seems impossible - a plait made in the middle of a strap without cutting the ends!
20 pages, 85 drawings.
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#3 Leather Lacing Manual |
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Step-by-step instructions on all popular lacing techniques such as, Whip Stitch, Wide Whip, Mummy Wrapping, Back Whip, Cross Stitch, Round Braid, Single Cordover, Double and Triple Cordovers, Lazy S, Dot Stitch, Baggin's Stitch.
Contents
Whip Stitch
Wide Whip
Mummy Wrapping
Back Whip
Cross Stitch
Snakeskin Edging
Kimberley Edging
Single Cordover
Double Cordover
Triple Cordover
Grant's Edging
Round Braid
Borneo Edging
Lazy S
Dot Stitch
Baggin's Stitch
Flat Lacing
Bar Pattern
Zig-Zag Pattern
Bootlace Pattern
Linked Cross Pattern
Flat Cordover
Round Braid on Flat Surface
Tools etc
20 pages, 127 drawings.
Contents
Three Plait
Five Plait
Dog Collar
Collar for a Small Dog
Three Plait, Another Method
Seven Plait
Multiple Strand Plaits
Home made Gang Cutter
Gulf Knot
Trinity Knot
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# 4 Stockman's Plaited Belts |
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The most popular bushie belt is made of plaited kangaroo lace.
Detailed instructions on making plaited belts from 8 to 16 strands.
Illustrated methods of creating various patterns and forming of a crocodile ridge down the belt centre.
28 pages, 90 drawings.
Contents
Cutting lace by hand
Belt measurements
Twin Ring Belt
Standard Flat Plaiting Technique
Flat 8 Plait
Flat 10 Plait
Flat 12 Plait
Flat 14 Plait
Flat 16 Plait
Flat 13 Plait
Finishing Off
The Keeper
Loose Keeper
Turk's Head Keeper
Gaucho Knot
Pineapple Knot
Buckle Belt
Fixed Keeper for Buckle Belt
Dressing the Belt
Easy Belt Patterns
Changing Patterns
Unusual Patterns
Crocodile Ridges
Raised Edge Plait
Triple Ridge Plait
Goanna Neck Plait
Goanna Neck Plait - 10 Strands
Hat Bands
and more....
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#5 Braided Belts |
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Plus How To Make A Snakewhip. Transforming plain leather belts into valuable attractive items by adding braiding.
Techniques are simple and easy to learn, including how to make a flexible snakewhip.
20 pages, 138 drawings.
Contents
Flat 10 Plait
Round Edge Braiding
Single Strand Centre Braiding
Vine and Flowers Pattern
Twelve Point Braid
Covered Buckles
Edge Polishing Iron
Braided Snake
Snake Whip
Finishing Off a Plaited Belt.
Flat 12 Plait
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#6 Plaits Round and Flat |
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All basic, flat (3-20 strands) and round plaits (3-12 strands).
32 pages, 445 drawings.
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#11 Saddle Repairs |
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Explains common repairs for Australian stock saddles
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Repairing panels, replacing girth straps, replacing sweat flaps, replacing seat, fixing a loose seat, and,sewing seat to panel.
20 pages, 35 drawings.
Contents
Removing Panel From Seat
Repairs to Panel
Replacing Sweat Flaps
Sewing Panel to Seat at the Front
Sewing Panel to Seat at the Back
Repairs to the Tree
Repairing Torn Flap
Replacing Girth Straps
Seat Breaking Loose
Putting on a New Seat
Contents Two Plait |
ReduRound 12 Plait, Herringbone Pattern |
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#12 Whipmaking, Book One. |
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Plain instructions on how to make a 4 and 6 plait redhide or greenhide whip, the common stockwhip of the bush.
Each step is clearly illustrated, how to form the belly, plait the whip, attach the fall and cracker, and make the handle.
Diagrams for 6,8, and 12 plaits are also illustrated. 24 pages, 80 drawings.
Contents Basic Whip |
Making the Handle |
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#13 Whipmaking. Book 2 |
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Kangaroo hide stockwhips for those who have already mastered plain stockwhips.
A longer book with detailed instructions for the plaiting of the highly favoured traditional kangaroo hide stockwhip.
32 pages, 192 drawings.
Contents
Cutting out an 8 strand Kangaroo Whip
The Belly
The Bolster
Plaiting the Overlay
Round 8 Plait
The Fall
Attaching the Fall
Bluetongue Hitch
Turk's Head on the Thong
Handle
Overlay for Handle
Long Whipping
The Knob on the Handle
5 Part 4 Bight Turk's Head
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#14 Whip Handle Designs |
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Not intended for beginners, but for those who can make a plain whip and now want to work some patterns into the handle.
Most of the designs are for 12 to 16 strands, but will adapt to a greater number of strands once some skill has been gained.
Also contains plans for a whip handle clamp and stitching tool.
32 pages, 45 drawings.
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#15 Plaiting Names in Whips |
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Tells how to plait names in whips in the traditional method.
Also explains how to do chain braid, saw tooth braid, 8 strand centre-weave, Lee's plait, repairing a broken whip, repairing a broken whip keeper and a tying hitich for a whip.
28 pages and 157 drawings.
Contents
Chain Braid
Sawtooth Braid
8 Strand Centre Weave
Lee's Plait
Plaiting Names
Repairing a Broken Whip
Repairing a Broken Whip Keeper
Tying Hitch for a Whip
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#16 Turk's Heads |
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A favourite knot amongst whipmakers and sailors, being both useful and decorative. Used on whip handles, knife handles, as a belt keeper and as decoration on any round object.
This book presents the most common and useful of these knots, with step-by-step instructions.
36 pages, 406 drawings.
Contents What is a Turk's Head |
2nd most Popular TH For Whip Handles |
Contents Tony Nugent Whip |
Stairstep |
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#17 Crocodile Ridge Belts |
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Contains a number of methods of plaiting crocodile ridges in kangaroo hide belts.
It begins with 8 strand belts with a single centre ridge and then goes on to 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, and 18 plaits.
14 strand double row, 6 strand triple row and 24 strand triple row are also explained.
28 pages, 150 drawings.
Contents
8 Strand, Knobby Croc Ridge
10 Strand Knobby Croc Ridge
10 Strand Herringbone Croc Ridge
11 Strand Croc Ridge
12 Strand Croc Ridge
Adding extra Strands
13 Strand Croc Ridge
14 Strand Croc Ridge
15 Strand Croc Ridge
16 Strand Croc Ridge
18 Strand Croc Ridge
Multiple Row Ridges
14 Strand Double Row
16 Strand Triple Row
24 Strand Triple Row Croc Ridge
Finishing off the Belt
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#20 Leather Projects 1 |
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This book gives full instructions for twelve new plaiting projects, and is intended for the more advanced student.
It gives five belt styles, three pocket knife pouches, two sheaths for sheath knives and a pen pouch.
32 pages, 127 drawings.
Contents
Standard Plait
Herringbone Plait
Belt Plaiting Thick Leather
Side Plaiting
3-2 Plait
1-2-2 Plait
Knife Pouch in Steerhide Belt
Simple Plaited Knife Pouch
In-built Knife Pouch
Plaited Sheath
Knife and Steel Sheath
Pen Pouch
Loop in Secret Plait
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#21 Leather Projects 2 |
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Though intended for experienced plaiters, a beginner will find it of interest.
Information on plaiting names into whips/belts, a new type of rocodile ridge for both the belt centre and edges, unusual ways of fastening a whip fall, plus a section on the repairing of whips and how to make a pair of plaiting pliers.
28 pages, 130 drawings.
Contents
Two Tone Pliers or Key Pouch
Plaiting Names into Whips or Belts
Annette's Braid
Crocodile Ridge Worked Later
Crocodile Ridge Edged Braid
Belt with an Odd Number of Strands
Natural Cane Handle
Replacing a Fall (Whip Making)
Replacing a Keeper (Whip Making)
Maurice Doohan's Hitch (Whip Making)
Snake's Head Hitch (Whip Making
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#23 Leather Projects 4 |
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The goanna neck plait, Aztec buttons, Headhunter's knot, Fishscale braid, Scobie hitch, Tile pattern hat band, some more useful Turk's-heads, Hugo's False Crocodile plait and others.
32 pages, 250 drawings.
Contents
Flat 13 Plait
14 Strand Goanna Neck
16 Strand Tile Pattern
Loop Ending
Simple Belt Keeper
Hugo's False Crocodile Belt
Slit Braid Belt
More Useful Turk's Heads
Aztec Button
Scobie Hitch
Fish Scale Braid
Headhunter's Knot
Mandrel
Sliding Knot for Hat Bands
More Turk's Heads
A Fancy Hat Band
Miniature Whip Hat Band
Rawhide Bullock Thongs
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#25 Leather Projects 5 |
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With two novelties - a small leather kangaroo and a horse-head shaped can cooler.
Also instructions for a magic wallet, a headstall with fiador knot, a plaited lead, monkey chain lanyard knot, scout coil and the Idiot's Delight.
32 pages, 160 drawings.
Contents
Horse Head Cooler
Carry Kanga
Magic Wallet, 3 pieces, no stitching
Headstall with Fiador Knot
True Lover's Knot
Plaited Lead
Monkey Chain Lanyard Knot
Scout Coil
The Idiot's Delight
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#26 Leather Projects 6 |
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Interesting projects for beginners and experts.
A mixture of plaiting and stitched projects, providing enough variety for everyone - hats, belts, bags, even a star in lace.
32 pages.
Contents
Floppy Brim Hat
Port Douglas Sennit
Army Money Belt
Beast Bag
Emerald Pattern Plaited Belt
Bluegum Plait, Belt
Chessboard Pattern Plait
laced Reins
13 Strand Striped Pyramid Design Belt
Half Plaited Reins
13 Part, 6 Bight Turk's Head
4 Plait Dog Lead with Plain Handle
8 Plait Dog Lead with Strap End
Triple Crown Knot
Horn Saw ( Pruning Saw) Pouch
Leather Splitter from a Plane Blade
Making Wide Straps with Simulated Croc Ridges
Soft Gathered Purse
Fat Chook Purse
A Star In Lace
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#28 How to make a 6 inch Saddle |
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Gives full patterns and instructions for making a tiny Australian stock saddle, the perfect thing for a trophy or present.
Can be made with scraps of leather at almost no cost, and can be made by a beginner.
24 pages, 57 illustrations.
Contents
Making a Miniature Saddle
A Miniature Whip
A Minaiture Bridle
Minature Feed Trough
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#29 Simplified Turk's Heads |
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This book contains all that is needed to learn the techniques, then the rest of the book consists of examples to show how the method works for different sorts of knots.
This method reduces the process down to a few rules that can be learned in a very short time.
28 pages, 196 drawings.
Contents Part One - Standard Turk's Heads Part Two - Long Turk's Heads 9 parts, 4 bights Long Turk's Head |
Part Three - Wide Turk's Heads |
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#30 Little Snake |
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The title comes from a neat belt plait that is a relative of another plait known as the Brown Snake.
A new heel knot is also explained and also a couple of attractive Box Patterns for the worker who likes a challenge.
36 pages, 250 illustrations.
Contents
Little Snake Plait, 15 Strands
Long Herringbone, 15 Strands
Brown Snake Plait, 17 Strands
Goanna Neck Plait, 12 Strands
Patriot Braid, 18 Strands
Fastback Edging
Rope Reins
Turk's Head 5 Parts, 8 Bights
Pineapple Knot
Bluetongue Hitch
Small Box Pattern, 9 Parts, 7 Bights
Small Box Pattern (White)
Turk's Head 9 Parts, 7 Bights
Pyramid Pattern 9 Strands
Stripey Pattern 16 Strands
Heel Knot 20 Bights, 16 Parts, 4 Pass
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