leather bound staff handles

[kev.b]

Hi does anyone know for a tutorial showing how to bind leather onto a staff handle? from what i've seen the last of the strip is thread under all the binding so is secured and fastened by its own binding.
i have tried this but it always comes loose, im obviously missing something so if someone knows of a tutorial , or has some pics showing the process id be grateful.
thanks
kev

[area 51]

No pictures, but have you tried wetting the leather then securing it to the staff with bindings. The leather, over a drying period , will shrink to the wood. I have done this on all my staffs and never had one come loose. I use the smooth side out. I hole punch the leather and use leather strips to tie it up. I also put the lacings so they will be away from the palm of the hand and be away from the fingers. I hope this will help. TP

[wDonkey]

you mean kind of like this ? :

Wetting the leather is a good idea, i tied a thick lace arround a snowsaw handle i made and the leather even helped secure the blade to the handle. you can leave the leather soaking overnight, or at least a couple of hours, and if you really want the thing to be tight, heat it up with a heatgun once its laced, but dont forget to oil the leather afterward.

[kev.b]

wDonkey that's great they say a picture paints a thousand words and yours does. really appreciate it.
and thanks both for the tip re: wetting the leather first

[Marvin Little]

Kevin, wetting the leather allows it to stretch and then to shrink as it dries.

Marvin

[kev.b]

yes i can see the logic in that. makes sense really, i've also been told to lightly oil the leather to stop cracking when finally shrunk. appreciate all the help guys

[Eddy-Smiles]

Great whipping explanation Donkey! Looks like it came right out of a Seaman course book.

[txchoo]

That is exactly how we used to whip the ends of ropes when we used manila ropes in the scouts. That would obviously work excellently for putting on a leather handle. On my first stick I cut a piece of suede to size and then laced it onto the staff, however, I believe I will do this on the most recent stick.
Thanks

[Buffalo Bif]

I have had success knotting leather cord once on each side and soaking the knots with superglue too. Suede cord I use would not slide enough when wet to whip as shown by wDonkey.

[Merle Rice]

I use that method mentioned above but it always slipps on the stick. After doing it now I put 2 small Brass Tacks at the top and bottom and that solved my problem. Merle