Making buckskin thongs?...er...strings...


M

madmax

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I'm making these mocs out of buckskin for a voo.
http://www.nativetech.org/seminole/moccasins/construction.php
I can't seem to cut the thongs to a regular width. I've tried scissors, leather knife, and a razor knife against a metal straight edge. The skin stretches when I use the knives and I get a varying width. My scissors cuts wind up "choppy". Is there a jig or technique to cut thin thongs evenly? Or do I just need more practice with the tools that I have? I get 1 good thin long thong for every 3-5 I try.
Thanks
 
Sgt. Mac said:
Did you try the technique of cutting them in a circle?
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Jeez, I can't even cut a good one along a metal straight edge. It seems to pull and wind up thinning out and breaking. I'll give the circle cut a go with scissors though. Thanks.

Just saw the tool. I've got something similar. It cuts thicker stiffer leather great. Boogers up the buckskin. Could be my poor technique again though.
 
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Skab said:
Have you seen this how to on Paleo Planet??

http://paleoplanet69529.yuku.com/topic/15249/Moccasins-101-How-to-make-one-piece-moccasins

thought it might help.
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Great tut! I want to do some like that for sure now. I'm doing an authenticated Creek design and construction. I already have a prototype almost done in some weird blue cowhide my wife found ( so I could mess that up and not my deerskin). I haven't worked with this supple of leather much at all. I'm about ready to bag the deerskin thong for stitching and use that art. sinew. Maybe not authentic but looks alot better.

Thanks.
 
I took the cue in the link Scab posted and got a brand new pair of sewing scissors (apparently cutting paper ruins them for cutting leather...?). Much better. Still haven't got a perfect width all the way. But I made the thongs a little wider and the second moc went much better. I'll do some buckskin ones next and post 'em up.

Thin elastic leather needs sharp dedicated scissors to cut it clean. Lesson learned.
 
It was alot easier to dive in and not worry about messing up, using scrap leather for the first pair. I think the next pair will go pretty quick.
 
I've never been a fan of just straight buckskin lace. I like to cut it thicker than needed and twist it, stretching it as I go. When it dries it has a lot less give and feels stronger. I usually twist two strands then twist those together, like so:
IMG_1647570.jpg
 
I'm sorry, I was a horses rump and didn't read the link. My buckskin thong idea does not apply to your mocs.
 
DarbyFett said:
I'm sorry, I was a horses rump and didn't read the link. My buckskin thong idea does not apply to your mocs.
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That's OK. LOL. I'm interested in any techniques that apply to buckskin and mocs. Once I get these "historically correct" pair done, I'm going to do a more substantial pair for woods walking and camp shoes. I'm thinking that mocs might be my dry weather "go to" footwear.
 
It just takes practice, practice, practice! I cut them from round circles of leather and use those Chinese scissors that Jas. Townsend and other living history suppliers sell. They are sharper than hell and really hold an edge. A great moccasin making video is: "Constructing the Woodland Moccasin" by Michael Galban. Easy method I've every seen and I've been making moccasins since the '70s. Good luck with your project.

Scott
 
Arrowolf said:
Did you ever consider the fact that uneven cutting is very period?
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LOL. Yes, I did and am. I'm still working on understanding and accepting much of the realities of life pre-1840. I'm reading a great book about everyday life in those times. Blowing alot of my misconceptions away. This study is becoming an obsession...that nobody around me gets at all. LOL. (She's very accepting though). I've got leather, linen, pillow ticking, wool, and sewing paraphenalia strewn all over the living room right now.

I'm having a ball with this.:4:
 
LOL:D

I use a large coffee cup or a tin of some sort and trace around it in pencil. Then I start at the outside of the circle and make a spiral cut into the center. Depending on the size of the object you trace around, it can be a very long piece of lace;)

PMZ
 
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