A new hood for my sponsor Simone's male redtail. He's been wearing a Jim Nelson hood (on the right of first pic) for the last 5 (or is it 6?) years and after a few fixes, it's time for a new one.
Center piece is kangaroo, eye panels are laminated with cane toad skin. Simone brought both leathers back from her trip to Australia. My first lamination job with lizard/other skin! Now we hope to heck it fits, because I used up the whole toad skin...
Aurelia - General I ------------------------------------------- "It's not about the style of the flight; it's about the blood on the glove"
I got some new spectra, 400#, because the 200# was just... annoying... and made a new leash set. Sold for $45. It's 8-strands and stiffer and a bit thicker than the set I made for Zada.
Aurelia - General I ------------------------------------------- "It's not about the style of the flight; it's about the blood on the glove"
Glad to hear you got your hood alright and like it Modoc. Well when I braid, I start at the loop end and finish with the button so there is no burning/melting at all. I coat the button in epoxy to make sure it never loosens and I also coat the other end because I find it's easier to thread if it's stiff. The button knot, unfortunately, I can't share because it is my own design and took many many (many) hours to find one that worked well. No one else that braids shares their buttons, either, and it's kind of a nice feeling to know that I made my own with no help. If you want to get into it yourself, it's hard work but worth it, I think. Good luck!
Aurelia - General I ------------------------------------------- "It's not about the style of the flight; it's about the blood on the glove"
Hmm, it would be cool, definitely. I think Jeremy Bradshaw's braided button might be patented... but patents cost a couple thousand and I'm not sure the return would be enough to pay for it. Besides which I'm pretty poor right now lol. Here's a picture of Chase with his new hood. I am going to cut the beak opening to fit his gape better today.
Aurelia - General I ------------------------------------------- "It's not about the style of the flight; it's about the blood on the glove"
Hi everyone. I am back and making hoods again. Hope to get some orders soon but I apologize for any delays as I am back in school/hawking and don't have as much time to work on equipment.
Aurelia - General I ------------------------------------------- "It's not about the style of the flight; it's about the blood on the glove"