question for Viking Leathercrafts

[muttman]

Hi! When do you anticipate getting more of the long rawhide strips in stock?
I have a few things I'm looking at ordering and if its not too long I'd like to save shipping and order all at once
Thanks!
John

[VikingLeather]

Hello Muttman,

I was actually telling my son that we need to cut some this weekend. I bought 8 sides and will be cutting them over the next few days. I will be turning on the rawhide strips items soon. These are all the bleached (white) sides which look a little nicer. I will probably stick with those unless I have folks wanting the natural color as well.

Frank

[Belemrys]

How flexible are these strips? Could they be used for covering the border of a wooden shield for SCA? I am looking for a more historical looking solution than garden hose

[muttman]

Frank- terrific! I'll keep a weather eye on your site then for updates. The bleached sounds like it will look very nice
Followup question- I'm planning to edge aluminum kite shields with trimlock and sew on the rawhide over thet- do you think I would be better with two or three inch strips?
Thanks!
John

[Belemrys]

Muttman what would you sew it with? Waxed linen thread?

[muttman]

last time I did one I used artifical sinew. That was leather though and a wooden shield but I imagine the theory would be the same. Its held up quite well, I gave that shield to my knight and He's been using it for a year or so now. I imagine waxed linen thread would work well too though

[VikingLeather]

Belemrys

The rawhide is flexible when you wet it, then hardens. Think of a rawhide bone for a dog. When they chew it it softens.

I have to soak the entire hide for several hours to soften it enough to cut into strips.

Frank

[leekellerking]

I use artificial sinew and three inch strips, myself. But that's rawhide on wood.

I see no reason why it shouldn't work on aluminum.

Two cautions:

1. Don't leave your shield out at night as the edging will soften.
2. Don't let your dog get your shield. Our lab mix ate most of the edging off my son's shield! Lol