Doug Groves Video: Rawhider Twister & Braider (Ranch Handcraft)

westernfolklife.org The making of handcrafted gear has flourished over the past two decades, with makers experimenting with new materials, techniques and designs, and adding their personal stamp to a long legacy of traditional artistry. Meet Doug Groves, rawhider, and learn a bit about the skills, ingenuity, and perserverance that goes into making a "good hand," in this Art of Gearmaking video from our Back At The Ranch exhibition. Length: 4:50

[@mrstringtwister4397]

Great guy, great video. It's an old one, glad it popped up again.

[@fidelrivera2845]

I was raised by vaqueros who only make rawhide reatas from a steer or bull that had been born under a full moon! They did a beautiful figure 8; not only around the head and front feet, but just the front feet! This was actually started by the sheepherders; they were always alone so they had to develop an easy way to handle the sheep. I saw a sheepherder who doubled as a vaquero when he came down from the mountains with the sheep. All the hacendados would use him to rope the wildest cattle using a figure 8 on the front feet! Best roper I ever saw. This was 68 years ago! He did it completely different from what they're doing in CA! He was an artist with a 120 ft. maquey also! I've seen Juan Colorado from MX do that now but not as fancy as Valentin Apodaca!

[@westernfolklife]

This is a beautiful comment and story, says our artistic director, Meg Glaser. We'd love to hear from you directly - email [e-mail] or phone [phone] - and thank you for writing, Fidel.

[@lisa8220]

Boy o boy. That folk life center must be terrific. I remember when I was six, I got a bike my dad bought from Japan. Too heavy. But where we moved to in Charleston SC our street was rough gravel, not River run. And kids could really lasso. First thing my bike garnered attention and I was asked if I was a Yankee or a Rebel. I didn't know what they were talking about, so that made me really stupid. Where was I born, they asked. Newport Rhode Island I said. Let me tell you, I was lassoed with two different lassos and pulled down and left with my hand and legs pierced by that gravel. Now I never ran home crying, but you know I had some healing to do. I told my father about it. And he said that next time I saw them to tell them I was from Roanoke Island and for them to look it up on a map and figure it out for themselves if they could. So all naval officers of the line are world class diplomats. At least my dad was.

[@user-pt2tx6lg7i]

Outstanding

[@LindaJezard]

Awesome! So pleased true leather artistry is alive and well!

[@cindyhoagland2213]

As a Rawhide braider myself I know how much work goes into this good job thanks for sharing. Cindy Hoagland,

[@garyevans8116]

Absolutely excellent it's very good to see this & they don't waste anything great

[@dmarker21]

Great video, I really enjoyed what the narrator's thoughts on the traditions.

[@dfogleman]

thanks for this video, excellent workmanship

[@scotthays294]

Thanks for keeping the "art" alive. Wasn't quite sure what else to refer to it as, but I'm sure you understand what I am saying

[@scotmetcalf2745]

Mr. Groves,I,am a novice paracord tier at best searching the web all the time looking for inspiration on tying and I stumbled across to your video and decided to check it out.Wow it is so cool how you take the hide and go from the cow to the braid or rope.I like that there are still people like you around I can imagine it is becoming a lost art?Thanks for sharing Scot

[@Bootbitch]

this made me smile

[@MarkMaysey]

"I sure enjoy it, doggone it's a lot of fun", what a way to end the vid and he's right people nowadays are just too impatient, Hell they're lucky if they can even sign their own name on a piece of paper anymore. It's good to see some old fashion technology at work here, I sure admire anyone that can build or make things these days, they're far ahead of most city folks in my book.

[@fourwindsranch]

Really great video...as a mohair cinch maker I sure appreciate the craftsmanship

[@jebthereb2]

Wow that was great.

[@ronnewton606]

great, very interesting and entertaining. thank you

[@djmj12714]

Fascinating!

[@seguridadevertson1585]

Excelent

[@crazyhorserocket]

Thank you for sharing!! I would love to do this!! A fine art, talent, and a huge part of history!

[@garyevans8116]

Very interesting realy good I like this

[@martinpietroboni6108]

hello I like the laso that you do and the tools that you have

[@Luisjruizl]

Fine.

[@surajitghose2976]

Wd like to know if there is any mechanical Drying equipment of Sisal Fiber etc after de-cortication

[@gastonjonquieres375]

How do you splice the eyes in a braided rein of eight

[@westernfolklife]

Gaston, we will do our best to contact Doug Groves with your question. Please accept our apologies for the delay in our response.

[@lukeescamilla9386]

So is the core of the bosal the same three strand raw hide

[@skoshabmosha]

yea...but the panels in your barn are manufactured.

[@Legofirefist3]

3:24 cows are thinking "time for the funeral yet?"