Braiding rattan rings
 

Braiding Rattan Rings
Requested by CharlesS
This is not necessarily the “right way”, just the way that I came up with. I got my initial information from this web page, and adapted it. http://www.folsoms.net/knots/turkshead.htm
The adaptation is that I apply steps 5 and 6 once on the back of the scabbard, and twice on the front.
I got my rattan from http://www.royalwoodltd.com/cat03-04r.htm
I’m using the 2.25mm “fine-fine”

I found it easier to practice with a long shoelace, before starting with the rattan.

Soak your rattan in cold water for about 30 minutes.
To get the approximate length, wrap the wet rattan around the scabbard about 8 times.
If the scabbard is tapered, and you can, do your work about 1” toward the smaller end of the scabbard. After braiding, you can slide the ring up the scabbard, tightening it.
Some sort of pick will be useful. I used a machinist’s scribe that has a rounded end, to reduce scratches to the wood scabbard. You can see it in some of the pictures. I colored the edges of the rattan, just so they would show up better for the pictures.

Steve Ferguson



1. Start on the back of the scabbard. Wrap up, around, and on the left side of your short end
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...c/Rattan/1.jpg

2. Wrap up, around and on the right side of your short end.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...c/Rattan/2.jpg

3. Pass the long end over, then under.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...c/Rattan/3.jpg

4. Take the right wrap, and pull it over the left, making an eye.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...c/Rattan/4.jpg


5. Pass the long end down through the eye, and out the right.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...c/Rattan/5.jpg


6. Pass the long end over the right wrap, and under the left. Then roll the scabbard toward you.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...c/Rattan/6.jpg

7. Take the right wrap, and pull it over the left, making an eye.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...tan/7-copy.jpg


8. Pass the long end down through the eye, and out the right.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...c/Rattan/8.jpg


9. Pass the long end over the right wrap, and under the left.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...c/Rattan/9.jpg


10. Take the right wrap, and pull it over the left, making an eye.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1.../Rattan/10.jpg

11. Pass the long end down through the eye, and out the right. Then roll the scabbard toward you.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1.../Rattan/11.jpg


12. You MAY quit at this point, or you can parallel one or both of the lines all the way round, to make it stronger. I’m going to go round once more.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1.../Rattan/12.jpg

Wouw very nice

Ben

13-18. Pick the best line, and parallel it all the way around.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1.../Rattan/13.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1.../Rattan/14.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1.../Rattan/15.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1.../Rattan/16.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1.../Rattan/17.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1.../Rattan/18.jpg


19. When you get to the back of the scabbard again, tuck the long end underneath in an area that looks good to you, and cut it off.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1.../Rattan/19.jpg


20. Slide the ring up into position. If you like, you can put some white glue on the starting and ending points, and wipe off the excess.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1.../Rattan/20.jpg

Thanks a lot !
This will be handy for an occasional restoration.

Best regards,
Willem

Thanks so much.

This really has the potential to bring alot of old scabbards back to life!!

You are welcome Charles. I'm happy to give back in some small way to this fine group of folks who have been so helpful to me.

Steve

That is a great presentation. Thanks. :)

This is perfect!! Just what I needed. Thanks!!!

Nice work