The completed tablet woven band

Well, this is it, my first completed, tablet woven, band. About 6ft long. There a a few mistakes on it, the selvedge is a bit irregular, but I am pleased nevetherless and have learned quite a lot from it.

First attempt at tablet weaving

One of the advantages in temporarily not being able to do what I do normally do, is that it gives a good excuse to try something else. Tablet weaving has been on my list of things to try for a while. This is my first attempt.

I read somewhere that it's almost impossible to learn this skill on your own...bah...not true!

I built that inkle loom some while back and decided to use it to have a go. The tablets I bought. I searched the net for instructions and followed (to the letter) those instructions that seemed comprehensible and this is the result. I think it's quite good and I have learned quite a bit from it already, such as keeping tension (but not too much, as you can wear the warp threads down with the cards) and trying to get the band to stay the same width is somewhat tricky.

There are some beautiful and complicated looking tablet weaving patterns and techniques, such as using double sets of tablets to writes things on the bands, and this is all part of the fun. I am now waiting for a book to arrive to have a go at these!

Got to keep that ol' brain from getting addled!

A couple of new knives for myself

One problem with being a knifemaker, is that it can be difficult to keep a knife for yourself! So those two, I am going to keep. But, having said that, anyone who would like one of those know where toask!

I only got as far as making the blades at the moment. I had abdominal surgery last Friday, and can't do too much for a while, so I thought I'd just show the blades for now.



Both blades are about 8" long with cutting edges about 4" long. The top one came about as a fixed blade version of the folder I made for Sticks65, over on Planet Bushcraft, when he thought that, with a longer blade than the folder, it might make a very good fixed blade for Bushcraft.



The bottom blade is undeniably Nessmuk in shape! I wanted a slightly more flattened curve to the blade, but keeping the Nessie's general shape. I think I have succeeded quite well in this.

Both are going to have a pewter bolster, hence the two holes nearer the cutting edge. The holes are necessary for anchoring the pewter in place on the blades. I think they are both going to have horn handle just like the folder I made for Sticks65, hence the many small pin holes.

When I get around to finishing the knives and make the pewter bolsters I'll take some pictures of the process and post them, probably as a short tuturial.

I am back...!

Well, I must apologies to my followers. I have been a bit lax lately with my blogging. In my defence, I have been rather preoccupied with trying to earn money (aarrghh...) .

As well, I am going to have an op on a hernia which has caused me a bit of grienf lately. I am having my op this Friday coming (the day after tomorrow) It's meant to be a day operation, but on my last visit at the hospital, I was told I'll most probably will stay in for the night. Then it will be anything between 2 and 8 weeks off...:-( This is going to drive me up the wall! I'll have to avoid any lifting (not even a saucespan) for a few days and "refrain" from manual work too..

So I have lined up a few books to read, I am going to have a go at learning a bit of tablet weaving! I have made a few knife blades (some new designs...:-) ) and if I don't feel too bad I may have a go at finishing the handles! And I have got some fresh new veg tan leather to play with!