Tuesday 20 November 2012

Some Grip Fids for Sale!

How Do All ;-)

I have just added some of my hand made Gripfids to my Etsy Shop

This is a must have tool for Ply-Split Braiding, and is also and ideal tool for all other kinds decorative knot work.

The Gripfid is made from seamless Stainless Steel tube, and has a long slender hollow point, which is formed in such a way that it will grip onto a cord end that is inserted into the tip. which holds the cord whilst pulling the tool back through the work piece.
This tool can also be used in a similar way to a marlinespike or Swedish fid and will make a fantastic addition to any knot tyers tool kit.



I have these tools tools in 6mm, 8mm and 10mm diameter suitable for up to 4mm, 6mm and 8mm cords respectively, some are available in longer or shorter lengths.


 The tools are supplied with either a naked solid Maple handle, or covered with a beautiful Pineapple knot.
Below is a 5 Pass, Type 5 Pineapple knot, with a special variation of the standard interweave. 

 Above and below you can see how the tool is use for Ply-Split Braiding. 
The tip of the Gripfid is easily passed through the ply's of the cords, then the cord is inserted and the tool withdrawn pulling the cord with it. and building a beautiful braid.
This tool can be used in this way for splicing as an alternative to the Swedish fid or for tying multi strand decorative knots.

Please contact me if you have any questions: knotty (dot) bear (at) gmail (dot) com

Please check out my Etsy Shop for more items.

Thank you for looking.
Take care,
Barry ;-)


Monday 5 November 2012

Some Marlinespikes, For Sale!

How Do All ;-)

I have some Marlinespikes for sale, these spikes were made by the Late Bud Brewer, a friend and fellow Knot Tyer from Colorado. 

A Marlinespike is an indispensable tool for the tying of decorative or practical knots.
Whether tightening a simple Turk's-Head knot, or dressing the most complicated covering knots, a hand crafted spike like this will make the job a cinch! 
A marlinespike is also a great tool for undoing tight or stuck fast knots, and with the aid of a Marlinespike Hitch is a great hand hold for tightening constrictor knots, whippings and the like.

All of these spikes have now been sold!
Thank you all for your interest and thank you very much to all that purchased these tools, I hope you have many years of enjoyment from them, and spare a thought for the maker Bud when using them ;-)

This spike is turned from Stainless Steel, and has a Tee handle in turned Stainless Steel.
The knotted decoration on the handle is a Turk's-Head knot tied in Red 1.5mm line.
The total length of the tool is 133mm or 5.25"
SOLD

This spike is turned from Stainless Steel, has brass ball at the top of the handle, and has a slightly flattened tip, to aid with insertion between strands. and grip on the cord. 
The knotted decoration / handle covering is a Chevron knot tied in Yellow and Charcoal 1.5mm line.
The total length of the tool is 165mm or 6.5"
SOLD

This spike is turned from Stainless Steel, and has a long slender point.
The knotted decoration / handle covering is a long, 4 bight Pineapple knot, tied in small 1mm Silver line.
The total length of the tool is 140mm or 5.5"
SOLD

This spike is turned from Stainless Steel, has brass ball at the top of the curved handle, and has a flattened tip, to aid with insertion between strands. and grip on the cord. 
The knotted decoration / handle covering is a long 8 bight 2 colour Gaucho weave Turk'sHead knot in Olive Green and Light Green in 1.5mm line.
The total length of the tool is 155mm or 6"
SOLD

This mini spike is turned from Stainless Steel, and has a flattened point with a brushed stainless finish, 
The knotted decoration / handle covering consists of a large Pineapple knot at the top followed by a Spanish Ring knot, and lastly a smaller Pineapple knot, all tied in small 0.8mm cream line.
The total length of the tool is 67mm or 2.6"
SOLD

This spike is turned from Stainless Steel, and has a slightly flattened tip, to aid with insertion between strands. and grip on the cord.
The knotted decoration is a Spanish Ring Knot tied in small 0.8mm line.
The total length of the tool is 140mm or 5.5"
SOLD

This spike is turned from Stainless Steel, and has a long slender point.
There is a small ring silver soldered at the top of the handle for attachment to a lanyard, key chain or necklace.
The knotted decoration / handle covering is a Pineapple knot, tied in small 0.8mm Blue line.
The total length of the tool is 120mm or 4.75"
SOLD

Thank you for looking.
Take care,
Barry ;-)

Friday 2 November 2012

Oldies But Still Goodies!

How Do All ;-)

Whilst waiting for a delivery today, I was browsing through some old pictures from 2005 / 2006, and came across some pictures of some nice earrings I used to make, so I thought I would share them with you.

Here are some single strand, modified 8 bight spherical Turk's-head knots, some single strand 8 plait grommet knots and some 4 Pass, Type 4 Pineapple Knots. All are made in 0.8mm braided cord, and to give an idea of size the finished knots are all around 12-15mm diameter.

Top row, single strand, modified 8 bight spherical Turk's-head knots.
Middle, 3 strand, modified 8 bight spherical Turk's-head knots.
Bottom row, 4 pass, Type 4 Pineapple Knots.

Single strand 8 plait grommet knots, and the last pair are 2 knots combined. these are all tied over the end of a finger!

 Single strand 8 plait grommet knots, close up.

 Single strand 8 plait grommet knots, close up.

I made dozens of pairs of each, and either sold or gave these away as presents, so it was nice to see them again even if only the pictures ;-)

Thank you for looking.

Take care,
Barry ;-)


Sunday 28 October 2012

Sailmakers Roping Palms. For Sale!


How Do All ;-)

These Sailmakers Roping palms were hand made my myself using only the highest quality materials. 

A Sailmakers Roping palm is used for sewing the bolt ropes on to the perimeter of a traditional sail, it is also used for sewing on heavy chafing gear of leather to the sail and for sewing in grommets and rings to the sail. The palm is also used for adding seizings, and putting palm and needle whippings onto ropes.

(Palm #2)
These palms are made with heavy leather and natural rawhide and are lined with plush goats skin. the dimpled iron (needle plate or eye) is machined from solid brass and the whole palm is hand stitched.


(Palm #2)

Once made, the palm is softened in in water and then shaped to the hand, where it takes on its Kidney Bean shape, and then worn until dry, after which the palm will be set in the perfect shape for good, or until you soften it to reshape it.

(Palm #2)

These palms have seen very little use and would make a great addition to any Knot Tyers Ditty Bag.

(Palm #2)

The palms will need soaking for a couple of hours in room temp water then placed into a plastic bag for several hours until pliable, then the palms can be shaped, stretched and moulded to suit your hand. 
There is a new, long length of heavily waxed rayon twine joining the ends of the palms so you can secure the palm at the right size for your hand.

(Palm #2)

Now the business end of the deal!

The price for this item is £22.50

Postage is £3.95 Royal Mail, First Class Recorded in the mainland UK.
All other destinations will be sent by "airsure" or "international signed for" if the service is available for your location, please contact me for an accurate shipping quote if outside the UK, as shipping costs may vary considerably depending on location.

Contact Me: knotty (dot) bear (at) gmail (dot) com

These items are also available to buy via my

You can also view my other items for sale here:

Thanks for looking.
Take care,
Barry ;-)


(Palm #1) Now SOLD






Knife/Tool Lanyard. For Sale!

How Do All ;-)

A knife / tool lanyard would have been used by a rigger, sailor or any craftsman working at height to attach their tools to their harness, belt, tool bag or other object to save loosing the tool should it be dropped, also possible saving injury or damage to persons and property below.

This knife / tool lanyard is made up from several complex sinnets and lanyard knots, the material is 1.25mm Polypropylene.


Please note: the knife pictured with this lanyard is not included with this sale, however if you like to buy the knife please contact me.
The total length of the lanyard is 725mm (not including Knife)


  Starting from the top loop: This is a six strand round sinnet, followed by a fully tucked Mathew Walker knot, then a strand Star Knot.

 Next is a sinnet of over two crowning, followed by a complex spiral crown sinnet, next a multi strand square crown sinnet.

Next comes a, over six under six lanyard knot, followed by a twelve strand complex solid sinnet.


Next comes a neat Gaucho knot style lanyard knot followed by an eight strand square 
sinnet.


Next a diamond lanyard knot followed by a six strand round sinnet.
Lastly a fully tucked Mathew walker and a four strand round sinnet attachment loop.

Now the business end of the deal!

The price for this item is £110.00 

Postage is £6.95 Royal Mail Special Delivery in the mainland UK.
All other destinations will be sent by "airsure" or "international signed for" if the service is available for your location, please contact me for an accurate shipping quote if outside the UK, as shipping costs may vary considerably depending on location.

Contact Me: knotty (dot) bear (at) gmail (dot) com

This item is also available to buy via my
Etsy Store 

You can also view my other items for sale here:
My Work For Sale.

Thanks for looking.
Take care,
Barry ;-)

Friday 26 October 2012

Cotton Chest Beckets. For Sale!

How Do All ;-)

I am selling what is probably one of the most beautiful pairs of Sea Chest Beckets you may have ever laid eyes on!
The price of these Beckets is in no way a true reflection of the many hours of work involved to create such a work, they are for me, priceless!



The core of the beckets are a selvagee strop, marled, parcelled, and a puddening of canvas applied, this is then served with Tarred Marline before being covered. 
The Eyes are ringbolt hitched in cotton, the legs are of needle hitching in cotton and the bails are 8 strand x 5 ply coach whipping in cotton.

 The bolt is of 3 strand hemp, wormed, parcelled and served , this is covered with a leather chafing piece and 4 pinked leather washers, the ends of the bolt are finished of with painted, canvas covered manrope knots.

 The finish is hand mixed, natural, Bleached Shellac.

Approx size of each Becket: 
height 260mm x width 155mm.

 Small and large Turk’s-Head knots in flax finish the covering.

These Beckets were featured in the pages of Knotting Matters #80 & #100 (the magazine of the International Guild of Knot Tyers)

The wood cleats are of Lignum Vitae, they have pilot holes drilled and also come with screws for fixing, but if you wish you could fix the cleats in the traditional way using copper rivets, (the cleats would need drilling through to do this.

Now the business end of the deal!

For this unique, one off and completely unrepeatable work of art I am asking a kings ransom of £1,750.00

Postage is (contact me for a quote) Royal Mail Special Delivery in the mainland UK.
All other destinations will be sent by "airsure" or "international signed for" if the service is available for your location, please contact me for an accurate shipping quote if outside the UK, as shipping costs may vary considerably depending on location.

Contact Me: knotty (dot) bear (at) gmail (dot) com

You can see more of my Chest Beckets here:

Thanks for looking.
Take care,
Barry ;-)


Friday 12 October 2012

Fluo Ditty Bag, For Sale!

SOLD!
How Do All ;-)
Yup' you heard right! I am selling my pride and joy Ditty Bag.
My Very Own Fluo Ditty Bag is now up for grabs!

The bag is in excellent condition and has never been used in anger, this bag has only ever come out of storage for display purposes!

Please see below for all the details of the bag, and pictures:

 The body of the bag is made from 12oz cotton Duck, and is 300mm x 175mm. the canvas is fully hand seamed and the base has a double seam for durability.

The grip is of Flax and UV reactive cord, and contains; overhand Spanish hitching, wide single strand Gaucho knots and single strand Mathew Walker knots. The hanging loop is 6 strand round braid.



 The slider is a Pineapple knot, and the toggle on the base is covered with Pineapple knots.


 There are 6 hand stitched grommet eyelets around the top of the bag, through which the spliced lanyard legs are buttoned with small Pineapple knot buttons.
The bag can be converted to a shoulder bag by buttoning the double ball toggle on the base of the bag through the hanging loop on the end of the lanyard. 


This bag was featured on the cover and in the pages of Knotting Matters 104.

I was the first person to be presented the Ditty Bag Trophy, in memory of the late Gary Sessions at the joint IGKT & IGKT-NAB meeting at the New Bedford Whaling Museum, Massachusetts in 2009, pictured here with the Ditty Bag Trophy and my Fluo Ditty Bag. An article appeared in KM 105 with pictures.

Below you can see the effect that Ultra Violet light has on the UV reactive cord and also the twine used for seaming the bag and putting in the  eyelets.

 The effect of the black light on the UV reactive cord and seaming twine is mind blowing when seen in the flesh.

The single strand Gaucho Knots ane braided directly to the lanyard,

 Close up of the  Pineapple knot used to close the bag.

Now the business end of the deal!

For this unique, one off and completely unrepeatable work of art I am asking a kings ransom of £395.00

Postage is £7.55 Royal Mail Special Delivery in the mainland UK.
& £23.00 USA. for a custom postage quote for other countries please contact me.

Contact Me: knotty (dot) bear (at) gmail (dot) com

I will not be making any more Ditty Bags ever again, so this is the last chance to own one of these much sought after hand crafted items!

You can see more of my Canvas Work here:

Thanks for looking.
Take care,
Barry ;-)





Tuesday 2 October 2012

Knotsam & Jetsam.


How Do All ;-)

Nothing much happening at the moment, so just to fill some space, here is a few pictures of a new key lanyard I just made.
When I used to cycle on one of those strange upright bike contraptions, I used to like having my keys to hand, attached to the outside of my rucksack so I did not have to take my bag off to get the keys out and open the gate and back door. 
The buttoned end of the lanyard was attached to the D ring on the shoulder strap, and the keys sat in the side pole pocket. 
Though I ride a proper bike now and don't need to wear the pack, I still like to carry a nice bit of knot work with me ;-)
The end of the lanyard has a 4 strand round sinnet eye which attaches to the key fob, followed by an 8 strands square sinnet. then a split button hole of two 4 strand round sinnets, a short 8 strand square sinnet and a fancy complex button knot.

The cord used is 2mm diameter. and the dragon fly brooch is an optional extra! (really just there for some pretty in the photos ;-)

The key fob is my old trusty double ender! made from scrap recycled, UV reactive Diabolo string.

Lanyard is about 650mm total length.

An 8 strand square sinnet bracelet in 1mm line with a complex button knot.

An old Mothers day gift which I stole back to get a picture, a complex crown knot button, Sunflower ABOK #900 in 3 mm cord, fully stiffened, also with one of my Dragonfly brooches.


A selection of my Dragonfly brooches, in 2mm line, fully stiffened, with a brooch pin incorporated into the knot work, much neater than gluing it on the back.






Thank you for looking.
Take care,
Barry ;-)