Australian Bushcrafts, Leather and Knotting Titles1.0

The definitive collection on Whipmaking, leather projects, plaiting, knotting, Australian bushcrafts, mudbrick construction and more.


Australian Bushcraft Series
  • Bushcraft 1 - (soft copy only)
     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 - (hard copy only)
     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 - (hard copy only)
     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 - (hard copy only)
     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 - (soft copy only)
     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 - (soft copy only)
     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 - (hard copy only)
     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 - (hard copy only)
     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 - (hard copy only)
     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 - (soft copy only)
     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.
      • Leatherworking Library
    1. Advanced Leatherwork Vol 1– 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.
    2. Advanced Leatherwork Vol 2– Round Knots and Braids
       This second volume deals with the round knots, those knots which are designed to wrap around any object that needs covering.
      The Practical Leather Library
      There are 29 titles in this collection, covering both the popular and the specialized aspects of leather work.
    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
       All basic, flat (3-20 strands) and round plaits (3-12 strands). 32 pages, 445 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 form the 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
      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
      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
      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
      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
      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. 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.
    26. Little Snake
       The title comes from a neat belt plait that is a relative of another plait known as the Brown Snake. A new heel knot is also explained and also a couple of attractive Box Patterns for the worker who likes a challenge. 36 pages, 250 illustrations.
    27. 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. 32 pages, 120 drawings.
    28. 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.
    29. 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.
    30. 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.

      More Leatherworking
    1. Bush Leatherwork
       TWELVE of the above leatherwork books available in 1 volume: Revised and enlarged

      This book was replaced by Bushcraft 8 and Bushcraft 9, both of which were updated and revised. Bushcraft 8 contains the revised plaiting information and Bushcraft 9 contains the revised whipmaking information.

    2. 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.

    3. 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.
    4. 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.
    5. Horse Bits
       Illustrated by Baghita Dungey. This booklet can be found as a chapter in Bushcraft 4. It explains the varieties and uses of bits commonly found in Australia. 14 pages.
    6. Tracing Designs For Leather
       Part 1. Full size designs and project patterns to trace onto leather. 25 pages. A3 format.
    7. Tanning Hides and Skins
       A series of articles from early farming magazines first published around the 1930 – 1940 period when farmers still tanned their own skins and made much of their own gear. Although some of the ingredients are now hard to get, in general the information is very sound, and this still remains one of the best books on the subject.
      Knotting
    1. Knots, Useful And Ornamental
       A low priced book on knots for most situations. Illustrates a large number of knots used for decorative work on board sailing ships, as well as the more practical ones, monkey's fist, diamond knot, star knot etc. In addition there is a section on the common knots used on land. 36 pages, 248 drawings.
    2. Knots for Horse-lovers
       One of our most popular books for people interested in horses. Every horse lover should know a few basic knots, and this book presents all the ones you will probably ever need. It contains step by step instructions on how to tie 29 knots, plus full details on how to make two sorts of bridle, a headstall and a halter, all from rope. 235 drawings, 44 pages.
    3. Knots for Beachcombers and Mariners
       A low priced book on a number of interesting knots, including how to replace the coverings on fishing floats, and a number of different ways to cover rails, knife handles, and anything that stays still long enough to cover. Care has been taken not to repeat the knots already shown in the companion volume KNOTS, Useful and Ornamental, so there is a lot of new material in this book (though, for the benefit of those who only want this one book, there is also a section on the most popular knots). 32 pages, 238 drawings, plus 21 silhouettes of sailing rigs, like that below.
      Earthbuilding
    1. Basic Rammed Earth
       How to build strong stable earth walls. Possibly faster than mud bricks. Various methods with full details including how to make use of bush timber. 40 pages, 72 drawings.
    2. Building a House in a Day
       The oldest, simplest form of earth building but rarely used in the West. Rammed earth and mud brick have been well tested over the past few years, while cob techniques are known by a few experts. 100 pages, 104 drawings.
    3. Mud Brick & Earth Building - The Chinese Way
       Written for and tested in Australian conditions. The Chinese are the world's greatest builders in earth, using it for everything from humble hen houses to the Great Wall. There are an estimated 90 million earth homes in China. Here are the various methods of earth building and Chinese techniques which will be of great interest to anyone planning on building in earth. MUD BRICKS can be laid in various ways to create very strong walls. One worker can make 500 bricks in a day using this simple Chinese system. RAMMED EARTH is favoured for barns and farm buildings. Three forms and their uses are explained. POLE MOULD WALLS are unknown in the West. A family can build a 12.5m long x 2.6 m high in a day. RAMMED BRICKS are ideal for areas of low rainfall as they need no water. CAVE HOMES and PIT DWELLINGS are also discussed, as are methods used to construct house frames and roof coverings. 157 pages, 400 drawings.
    4. Mud Brick Techniques
       This book replaces Basic Mud Brick. The new version is larger, more comprehensive, and has been especially written for Australian conditions. The author began experimenting with mud brick in 1950 and considers it to be one of the most versatile of building methods. All the techniques described in this book are taken from actual jobs. The aim has been to teach methods which can be used by the whole family so that everyone can help in creating a home from the simple elements around them. 48 pages, 130 drawings.