Attaching brass cones

[RICK LOWE]

Looking for some help on using brass cones w/ horsehair on a "frontier" style sheath. On other items I've done this by using thin thong tied to the horsehair and run through the cone. This works fine, but leaves them dangleing about 2". With this sheath, I'd like to keep them tight on the leather and my weak brain can't figure it out Any thoughts really appreciated.
Rick

[Chuck Burrows]

Howdy Rick-
Ah that question!
I do i one of two ways:
1) Use a leather thong as you do then bury the extra thong length in the seam as part of the welt or up underneath what ever you're attaching them to.
2) The easy way: Use a tread and beads. Run a good strong thread (silk is best and is PC, but a good cotten wrapped poly button weight works good in a pinch) through a couple of beads, add your cone, and then add a GLASS bead big enough to lock into place inside the cone. Then run the thread back up through the cone and through the beads - make sure the thread is well waxed so you can pull everything up tight. Then run the thread through the leather to make your next cone drop.
Here'e an example:


When using the commercial cones from Crazy Crow I find that #5 pony beads work good for the inside the cone bead on 1" cones and #8 beads work good for the 3/4" cones.

[RICK LOWE]

Hi Chuck,
Thanks for the answer! The easy way sure looks like the ticket for what I'm doing. The beads will actually upgrade the "look". I use the 1" cones from Crazy Crow, but will have to get some of the pony beads.
Rick