Yep, it's getting a bit tougher to keep my mind on the leather.
I gotta get a furnace finished and something better than my harbor freight grinder if I build many more.
Doc, it's pretty tough to show how to tie those knots without having you look over my shoulder and then follow with a string of your own.
This knot is a version of whats known as the heel knot, increased once in the ground work and then with a colored string added. They wear real good and feel better to your hand as they age. It's used as the heel knot on a Bosal. If you can find a copy of Bruce Grants book How to make Cowboy Horsegear there's a diagram of how to tie it. You have to increase the ground work to add a colored string though.
A awl made the same way allows you to use your fingers while keeping the awl in your palm. Thats my idea for these handles, just gotta get the balance and blade lenth figured.
Thanks for the nice coments guys, I'm learning from you folks here. Just wish I was a faster learner. These are # 4 & 5
RS