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Author Topic: Next best thing next to kangaroo lace?  (Read 8997 times)

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Offline toomanyknots

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Next best thing next to kangaroo lace?
« on: February 06, 2013, 08:42:28 pm »
I was recently told by a guy at tandy leather that their calf lace is the next best thing to kangaroo lace. Is that true? I tried some of their pro lace, but it was weaker than crap. This is for cross stitched leather handles btw. The guy said that they were fazing out the kangaroo lace, which I find kinda crazy as it is so popular.
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Offline Weylin

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Re: Next best thing next to kangaroo lace?
« Reply #1 on: February 06, 2013, 09:16:11 pm »
I keep going back and forth about springing for a spool of kangaroo lace. it is truly amazing stuff but I just haven't found it in my budget to pay $60-$70 for a spool of lace. I've been using calf lace and it works. I haven't had any problem with it yet but I know that it is no where near as strong as roo lace. Does anyone know of a source for kangaroo lace that is any cheaper?
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Offline toomanyknots

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Re: Next best thing next to kangaroo lace?
« Reply #2 on: February 06, 2013, 09:38:38 pm »
Quote from: Weylin on February 06, 2013, 09:16:11 pm
I just haven't found it in my budget to pay $60-$70 for a spool of lace.

Same here. Is there a certain size and thickness of calf lace you use? I just need something that is not super thick to make cross stitching difficult, but something strong enough to not break when pulling the leather together. I know you can get some smaller lengths of kangaroo lace from ebay for cheaper than a 50 yard roll.
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"The way of heaven is like the bending of a bow-
 the upper part is pressed down,
 the lower part is raised up,
 the part that has too much is reduced,
 the part that has too little is increased."

- Tao Te Ching, 77, A new translation by Victor H. Mair

Offline Will H

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Re: Next best thing next to kangaroo lace?
« Reply #3 on: February 06, 2013, 09:49:24 pm »
Ive used 1/8" goatskin lace on grips for years with great results. I recently got some calfskin lace from Tandy and was less than impressed... I wish I could afford kangaroo but until I win the lottery I'm gonna stick with goatskin  :D
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Offline richardzane

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Re: Next best thing next to kangaroo lace?
« Reply #4 on: February 06, 2013, 09:55:11 pm »
its expensive but there is nothing like good kangaroo lace, its got good stretchability,
did you say they're phasing it out? it just looks a lot better than any calf lacing.
i did this spanish braid handle (for one of my pots) over one of those black soaker hoses
with kangaroo lacing. it just wouldn't be the same with calf lace.
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Offline toomanyknots

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Re: Next best thing next to kangaroo lace?
« Reply #5 on: February 06, 2013, 10:04:24 pm »
Quote from: richardzane on February 06, 2013, 09:55:11 pm
its expensive but there is nothing like good kangaroo lace, its got good stretchability,
did you say they're phasing it out? it just looks a lot better than any calf lacing.
i did this spanish braid handle (for one of my pots) over one of those black soaker hoses
with kangaroo lacing. it just wouldn't be the same with calf lace.


 :o Thats amazing!

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"The way of heaven is like the bending of a bow-
 the upper part is pressed down,
 the lower part is raised up,
 the part that has too much is reduced,
 the part that has too little is increased."

- Tao Te Ching, 77, A new translation by Victor H. Mair

Offline toomanyknots

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Re: Next best thing next to kangaroo lace?
« Reply #6 on: February 06, 2013, 10:09:17 pm »
Quote from: Will H on February 06, 2013, 09:49:24 pm
Ive used 1/8" goatskin lace on grips for years with great results. I recently got some calfskin lace from Tandy and was less than impressed... I wish I could afford kangaroo but until I win the lottery I'm gonna stick with goatskin  :D

Thanks for the tip, goatskin seems alot cheaper than calf as well. Was the tandy calf lace strong enough to use on handles? Was it their "superior calf lace"?
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"The way of heaven is like the bending of a bow-
 the upper part is pressed down,
 the lower part is raised up,
 the part that has too much is reduced,
 the part that has too little is increased."

- Tao Te Ching, 77, A new translation by Victor H. Mair

Offline PatM

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Re: Next best thing next to kangaroo lace?
« Reply #7 on: February 06, 2013, 10:31:48 pm »
Your best bet is to tan some squirrel hide.
 Cordovan would be the next best commercial type but it's hard to get as well.
 Is Kangaroo being phased out because of an import ban? I think it is something like that.
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Offline Will H

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Re: Next best thing next to kangaroo lace?
« Reply #8 on: February 06, 2013, 10:42:34 pm »
It was the superior lace. It's plenty strong just not nearly as supple. It didn't lay down like the goat skin... Paid 30 bucks and it sure wasn't what I was lookin for. Oh well.
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Offline Weylin

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Re: Next best thing next to kangaroo lace?
« Reply #9 on: February 06, 2013, 10:47:15 pm »
what's your supplier for the goat lace? I'd be willing to give it a try if ou think it's a good compromise becuase I can't say I'm too attached to my calf lace.
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Offline Will H

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Re: Next best thing next to kangaroo lace?
« Reply #10 on: February 06, 2013, 11:05:34 pm »
Tandy makes it I think... You can usually find it at hobby lobby.
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Offline Carson (CMB)

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Re: Next best thing next to kangaroo lace?
« Reply #11 on: February 06, 2013, 11:14:50 pm »
Now I know what to do with those squirrel hides!

Quote from: PatM on February 06, 2013, 10:31:48 pm
Your best bet is to tan some squirrel hide.
 Cordovan would be the next best commercial type but it's hard to get as well.
 Is Kangaroo being phased out because of an import ban? I think it is something like that.
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Offline Cameroo

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Re: Next best thing next to kangaroo lace?
« Reply #12 on: February 06, 2013, 11:25:04 pm »
If you can get ahold of a kangaroo hide (Tandy still sells them, I just bought one), it's not really that hard to make your own lace.  I came across some videos a while back on youtube by an Australian whipmaker that goes by the handle Bernie46.  This man knows his stuff and if you are interested in saving a bunch of cash by making your own top-notch lace, this is the guy to check out.  I've watched a lot of other videos, but his are by far the most informative.  And you should see the work he does, it is unbelievable.

Will - the roo lace that you had issues with - did it have the edges beveled?  That makes all the difference in the world as far as the finished appearance.  Bernie has a video that shows a simple jig to make to take the corners off the lace.  I made one similar to his for about $2.00 and it works like a dream.  Here's a link to his video if you want to check it out.  This works well with all sorts of leather.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdTc5eWH4Rk
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Offline Bryce

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Re: Next best thing next to kangaroo lace?
« Reply #13 on: February 07, 2013, 12:37:31 am »
Wallabie lace


Isn't there a whole line of marsupial based lacing?    8) :P ;D
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Offline PatM

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Re: Next best thing next to kangaroo lace?
« Reply #14 on: February 07, 2013, 12:50:31 am »
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