Braided Goods
We are pleased to offer an extensive selection of braided goods. Our interest in leather braiding arose in the early 1960's from contact with some of the last of the Australian whipmakers trained as apprentices in the Victorian craft of hand braiding. The Australians worked in kangaroo leather, the finest leather available for braiding. Since that time we have offered a selection of braided leather goods, largely in kangaroo hide, and largely in the Australian style of work.
Whips and Whip Cracking
In the time when agriculture, construction work and transportation were dependent
upon animal power, and cattle were raised on the open range and driven to market,
whips were a common part of everyday life, and were made in vast quantity and
in many types and styles. Bullock drivers, drovers, cattlemen and coach drivers
became highly skilled in the use of their whips. Today the skill in the work
place is largely confined to cattlemen, but it has been maintained and developed
by showmen in the Western shows and rodeos, by animal trainers in the circuses,
and by whip artists in the theatres and at fairs.
The manufacture of long lash whips, once a flourishing trade, has all but disappeared.
As part of our specialty interest in leather braiding, we maintain this craft
with a limited production of whips, all hand cut from selected hides and hand
braided. You will find our whips used by cattlemen from Montana to Florida,
and by animal trainers, stuntmen, and whip artists throughout America.
Bullwhips
Australian
Stock Whips
Blacksnakes
Quirts
Selecting
Your First Whip for Sport Cracking
The Art of Whip Cracking
Care
of Whips
Whip
Frequently Asked Questions
Braiding Supplies
While the American tradition in braiding evolved mainly around rawhide from
cattle, there has always been some braiding in leather, and the best of this
has been in kangaroo whenever suitable kangaroo has been available. To assist
in keeping this craft alive we also supply kangaroo skins and lace for braiders,
as well as a selection of books presenting both Australian and American techniques
of braiding.
Braided Accessories
Finely braided belts were a traditional speciality of the Australian whipmakers.
In cutting a kangaroo skin for a whip, the center of the skin was often left
too small for a second whip. This leather, the prime part of the skin, was ideal
for belts. We continue this tradition, offering a number of fine examples of
hand braiding.
Braided Leather Belts
Hat Accessories
Bolo
Ties
Leather Care
Fine leather deserves good care. For most leather items we offer, we recommend
a light coating of Pecard Leather
Dressing every six months.
