BUSHCRAFT 1
Australian Traditional Bush Crafts Now almost a standard reference book, this is known to bushies Australia-wide and is found on even the most remote station properties. Its popularity may be gauged from the fact that it has been in print for over 20 years and has gone into over a dozen editions. It gives simple instructions for all the basic bush crafts from fencing, building, leatherwork, knots, fishnets, whips and much more. 145 pages, 400 drawings.
BUSHCRAFT 2 -Skills of the Australian Bushman
Following the success of the first book, people contacted the author from all over Australia to add their knowledge, resulting in a whole new book. It is full of bush gadgets and explains how to cool and preserve food, how to improvise bush lights, bush ovens, making a cord girth and many other ideas used by the pioneers to make life comfortable. It even includes instructions for a simple rowing boat. 166 pages, 300 drawings.
BUSHCRAFT 3
- Making Do in the Bush This book continues the theme of improvisation, how to live comfortably by making use of low cost or even free materials that are readily available. To Australian bushies nothing was impossible, and this book is crammed with clever ideas for toys, furniture, horse gear, bush cooking and general bush craft. It also explains how to make a permanent low cost water tank, home tanning and how to map your own property. 164 pages, 400 drawings.
BUSHCRAFT 4
- Using What is Available Written 20 years after the first volume, this book is packed with new material and will be welcomed by everyone who has ever dreamed of starting a new life in the bush. It explains how to save thousands of dollars using traditional pioneer methods of preparing timber. Basic techniques are shown in hundreds of clear drawings to enable you to master the skills. There are also sections on other aspects of bush crafts such as medicine, cooking, and even the various horse bits found in Australia and the best ones to use. 160 pages, 400 drawings.
BUSHCRAFT 5
- Developing Your Skills This volume includes lots of leather projects, full instructions for building a mud brick home and also home building with rammed earth. The book has full instructions for 8 strand to 24 strand crocodile ridge belts. Horse gear hints (including a popular rope bridle) and blacksmithing projects. Plus drawings of bush furniture. 160 pages and 700 drawings.
BUSHCRAFT 6
- Old Ideas for Use Today More on gates and fences, stabilised soil for cheap floors, making your own windows, toy making, bush tucker, unusual tools and what they are used for, more projects for the home blacksmith, decorative rope work and fancy knotting, and much more. Plus a section on crafts at Jondaryan Woolshed and the Stockman's Hall of Fame. 160 pages, 450 drawings.
BUSHCRAFT 7
- Preserving Old Secrets When I began this series, I didn't realise the variety of old crafts still in practice. This book explains how to make a horse collar and a pack saddle as well as many small projects. Many people continue to send in ideas and information and these have also been included. Also features a section on the seafaring tradition. 160 pages, 500 drawings.
BUSHCRAFT 8
- Bush Leatherwork Seven small leatherwork books together in the one volume. These books are Beginning Leatherwork, The Secret Plait, Leather Lacing Manual, Stockmen's Plaited Belts, Braided Belts, Plaits Round & Flat, Bushmen's Belt Pouches. All the basic information needed to begin leatherwork plus a number of projects. 160 pages, 1,100 drawings.
BUSHCRAFT 9
- How to Make Whips This book is the same size and price as the rest of the series and is devoted to the making of whips. The first section gives instructions for a basic 8 strand whip, the second deals with the making of kangaroo hide whips. Other chapters explain the making of bullwhips, snake whips and whips made from pre-cut lace. Also instructions on how to plait names in whips and plaiting designs for whip handles. It contains the full contents of four smaller books, fully revised and enlarged, plus much additional material. 160 pages, 740 drawings.
BUSHCRAFT 10
- Living in the Bush (AVAILABLE SHORTLY) This is the last in the series and contains a mixed bag of information on all sorts of subjects. How to make your own stockman's coat and a fisherman's sou-wester, as well as a plaited hat for the hot weather. How to repair saddles, and how to make an attractive plaited bridle. There are even directions for making your own cow bells and Condamine bells, as well as many bush tips for doing all sorts of jobs around the place from fencing to bush furniture. And as this is the final volume there is also a full index for the whole ten books. 160 pages, 574 drawings.
THE PRACTICAL LEATHER LIBRARY
There are 29 titles in this collection, covering both the popular and the specialized aspects of the leather work.Every year we sell hundreds of PLAITS ROUND AND FLAT and about 6 copies of MAKING A SADDLE TREE, so that gives an idea of the range.
LEATHERWORK
Advanced Leatherwork - Interesting Braids and Flat Plaits For those who have already mastered common plaits and braids, a must for the serious braider and plaiter. Follows on from Bush Leatherwork and More Bush Leatherwork. 272 pages.
1. Beginning Leatherwork A book for the complete beginner.
Tells how to buy leather, basic tools needed, how to apply designs and colour work, and simple lacing techniques. A few easy projects complete with full directions, plus a 20 page section of traceable designs. The first book of its type published in Australia. 64 pages, 180 drawings.
2. The Secret Plait
Seems impossible - a plait made in the middle of a strap without cutting the ends! 20 pages, 85 drawings.
3. Leather Lacing Manual
Step-by-step instructions on all popular lacing techniques, Whip Stitch, Wide Whip, Mummy Wrapping, Back Whip, Cross Stitch, Round Braid, Single Cordover, Double and Triple Cordovers, Lazy S, Dot Stitch, Baggin's Stitch. 20 pages, 127 drawings. 4. Stockmen's Plaited Belts The most popular bushie belt is made of plaited kangaroo lace. Detailed instructions on making plaited belts from 8 to 16 strands. Illustrated methods of creating various patterns and forming of a crocodile ridge down the belt centre. 28 pages, 90 drawings.
5. Braided Belts Plus How To Make A Snakewhip.
Transforming plain leather belts into valuable attractive items by adding braiding. Techniques are simple and easy to learn, including how to make a flexible snakewhip. 20 pages, 138 drawings.
6. Plaits, Round & Flat Plus How To Make A Bullwhip.
All basic, flat (3-16 strands) and round plaits (3-12 strands). 20 pages, 175 drawings.
7. Bushmen's Belt Pouches
The belt pouch is a traditional part of the Australian stockman's outfit. Details for making plain leather watch/knife pouches and complex plaited pouches. The first book with full instructions on plaiting a knife pouch. 24 pages, 110 drawings.
8. Homemade Leatherworking Tools
Most basic tools can be readily made by practical people using these fully illustrated techniques. Make only one tool and the book pays for itself. 20 pages, 87 drawings.
9. Money Belts and Secret Pockets
A good book for experts with details of ten functional designs. Also includes the Dagger Belt which conceals a short knife in the fastening of the belt. 32 pages, 114 drawings.
10. Counterlining Stock Saddles
Originally part of Making a Stock Saddle but now a separate book on counterlining to add years to a saddle's life. 20 pages, 35 drawings.
11. Saddle Repairs
Explains common repairs for Australian stock saddles. Repairing panels, replacing girth straps, replacing sweat flaps, replacing seat, fixing loose seat, sewing seat to panel. 20 pages, 35 drawings.
12. Whipmaking Book One
Plain instructions on how to make a 4 and 6 plait redhide or greenhide whip, the common stockwhip of the bush. Each step is clearly illustrated, how to formthe belly, plait the whip, attach the fall and cracker and make the handle. Diagrams for 6,8, and 12 plaits are also illustrated. 24 pages, 80 drawings.
13. Whipmaking Book Two
Kangaroo hide stockwhips for those who have already mastered plain stockwhips. A longer book with detailed instructions for the plaiting of the highly favoured traditional kangaroo hide stockwhip. 32 pages, 192 drawings.
14. Whip Handle Designs
Not intended for beginners but for those who can make a plain whip and now want to work some patterns into the handle. Most of the designs are for 12 to 16 strands but will adapt to a greater number of strands once some skill has been gained. 32 pages, 45 drawings.
15. Plaiting Names in Whips and Other Leather Projects
Tells how to plait names in whips in the traditional method. Also explains how to do chain braid, sawtooth braid, 8 strand centre-weave, Lee's plait, repairing a broken whip, repairing a broken whip keeper and a tying hitch for a whip. 28 pages and 157 drawings.
16. Turk's Heads
A favourite knot amongst whipmakers and sailors, being both useful and decorative. Used on whip handles, knife handles, as a belt keeper and as decoration on any round object. This book presents the most common and useful of these knots, with step-by-step instructions. 36 pages, 406 drawings.
17. Crocodile Ridge Belts
Contains a number of methods of plaiting crocodile ridges in kangaroo hide belts. It begins with 8 strand belts with a single centre ridge and then goes on to 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 18 plaits. 14 strand double row, 6 strand triple row and 24 strand triple row are also explained. 28 pages, 150 drawings.
18. Bridles Plaited & Plain
How to plait an attractive bridle, a plain bridle without rings or buckles, and also a bushman's extended head bridle and a Barcoo bridle. Plus a section on making a permanent bridle from rope, a method used in the East. 32 pages, 194 drawings.
19, Making A Saddle Tree
For those wishing to build a saddle but unable to buy a ready-made tree. Making a tree is time-consuming but not that difficult. 24 pages, 90 drawings.
20. Leather Projects 1 (formerly Plaiting Projects 1)
This book gives full instructions for twelve new plaiting projects, and is intended for the more advanced student. It gives five belt styles, three pocket knife pouches, two sheaths for sheath knives and a pen pouch. 32 pages, 127 drawings.
21. Leather Projects 2 (formerly Plaiting Projects 2)
Though intended for experienced plaiters, a beginner will find items of interest here. Information on plaiting names into whips/belts, a new type of crocodile ridge for both the belt centre and edges, unusual ways of fastening a whip fall, plus a section on the repairing of whips and how to make a pair of plaiting pliers.28 pages, 130 drawings.
22. Leather Projects 3 (formerly Plaiting Projects 3)
Again for the experienced plaiter but with basic instructions for beginners to complete the projects. Information on a plaited money belt, pouches plaited onto belts, a crocopurse and an old-style bushmen's purse. 32 pages with 230 drawings.
23. Leather Projects 4 (formerly Plaiting Projects 4)
The goanna neck plait, Aztec buttons, Headhunter's knot, Fishscale braid, Scobie hitch, Tile pattern hat band, some more useful Turk's-heads, Hugo's False Crocodile plait and others. 32 pages, 250 drawings.
24. Leather Projects 5 (formerly The Carry Kanga)
With two novelties - a small leather kangaroo and a horse head-shaped can cooler. Also instructions for a magic wallet, a headstall with fiador knot, a plaited lead, monkey chain lanyard knot, scout coil and the Idiot's Delight. 32 pages, 160 drawings.
25. Hand Sewn Leather Projects
Part of this book was in Bushcraft 1 and later in Rolling a Thread. This edition includes stitching projects such as Knife Pouches and Mobile Phone Case. 2 pages, 120 drawings.
26. Leather Projects 6
Interesting projects for beginners and experts. A mixture of plaiting and stitched projects providing enough variety for everyone - hats, belts, bags, even a star in lace. 32 pages.
27. Old Style Leather Projects
Instructions on several articles from old leather catalogues with designs combining the charm of bygone days with today's look. Includes pocket notebook and card case, saddle bags and purses. 32 pages, 109 drawings.
28. How to Make a Six Inch Saddle
Gives full patterns and instructions for making a tiny Australian stock saddle, the perfect thing for a trophy or present. Can be made with scraps of leather at almost no cost, and can be made by a beginner. 24 pages, 57 illustrations.
29. Simplified Turk's-heads
Ron Edwards had already written his book Turk's-heads, in which he explained and illustrated the methods used by most plaiters and whipmakers to produce these knots, when he realised that they took quite a time for the beginner to learn. He reasoned that if the method could be simplified then it should be possible for most people to tie standard Turk's-heads. It took some years before the startlingly obvious answer to the problem dawned on him, and this book is the result of this realisation. The whole of this book could be condensed down to the first three pages, for they are all that is needed to learn the method, the rest of the book consists only of examples to show how the method works for different sorts of knots. This method reduces the process down to a few rules that could be learned in a very short time. 28 pages, 196 drawings.
Bush Leatherwork
TWELVE of the above leatherwork books available in 1 volume: This book was replaced by Bushcraft 8 and Bushcraft 9, both of which were updated and revised, but we still keep a few paperback copies of this for private sale.
More Bush Leatherwork
NINE of the above leatherwork books available in 1 volume: Money belts, Turk's heads, saddle tree and bridles, Beginning Leatherwork, Leather Projects 1, Leather Projects 2, Leather Projects 3, Money Belts, Turk's-heads, Making a Saddle Tree, Bridles Plaited & Plain, A Cheap & Simple Saddle (Mongolian saddle). Numerous plaiting projects for beginners and experts. 288 pages, hard cover.
Making A Stock Saddle
Step-by-step instructions on building a traditional Australian stock saddle - the best working saddle in the world. All the tools and techniques are illustrated,and a number of people have already made saddles from these instructions. 120 pages, 260 drawings.
The Mongolian Saddle and How To Make It
The Mongolian saddle has proved its value over the centuries as a good working saddle as used by Genghis Khan when the Mongol hordes swept across the Central Asian grasslands.. It works well as a saddle yet is relatively quick and easy to make. All you need are some woodworking skills and a little timber. Full instructions included. 44 pages, 75 drawings.