Some New Grip Fids.

How Do All,

Whilst busy making cord making machines, I also made up some Gripfids for a customer to go with their machine, which they requested the handle to be left off so that they may possibly carve their own. 

Whilst I was at it I decided to make a new set of Gripfids for myself as I sold all but one of mine to a customer that was desperate to get hold of them. 

There are 1/4", 5/16" ,3/8" and 1/2" diameter Gripfids here.

I also made a small 1/4" double ended Gripfid which I am sure will prove unnecessarily useful! 

I covered one of my smaller Gripfids with a 5 Pass, Type 5 Pineapple Knot, with a varied interweave.

I love these knots, probably my favourite knot to tie and I tie them with no instructions, just straight out of my head and into my hand.

Along side a large covered net float which I found on Walney Island many years ago. 

this is another Pineapple knot with a varied interweave.

Like a star flower

The knot is made up from 5 separate 6 bight x 7 lead Turk's-Head Knots or Casa Knot if you like.

Tied in 1.5mm polypropylene twine.

Thank you for looking.

Take care,

Barry

More Gripfids

How Do All ;-)

I just finished covering a set of Gripfids for a customer in Switzerland.

The tools are 6mm, 8mm and 10mm diameter, suitable for up to 4mm, 6mm and 8mm cords respectively, 

 The tools have a solid Maple handle, covered with a beautiful Pineapple knot.

The smallest is a 35p x 30b, 5 Pass, Type 5 Pineapple knot, the next is a 36p x 32b, 4 Pass, Type 4 Pineapple knot, and the largest is a 45p x 40b, 5 Pass, Type 5 Pineapple knot.

A close up of the Pineapple knot handles.

I made some Pojama's (covers) for the Gripfids from odd ends of climbing rope with the core stripped out.

practical or not? who knows ;-)  

For more info about, and pictures of Gripfids see the link below:

Grip Fids

And to see some of the items I have made using Gripfids, check out my Ply-Split Braiding page

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 ;-)

More Fids For Sale!

How Do All ;-)

I have some Wood Fids for sale, these spikes were made by the Late Bud Brewer, a friend and fellow Knot Tyer from Colorado. you can see all the details in my Etsy Shop

A Fid / Marlinespike is an indispensable tool for the tying of decorative or practical knots.
Whether tightening a simple Turk's-Head knot, Splicing a hefty rope or dressing the most complicated covering knots, a hand crafted spike like this will make the job a cinch! 
A Fid / 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.

 https://www.etsy.com/listing/119954052/fid-knot-tying-spike-marlinespike

This Fid is turned from Apple wood, and was turned whilst green.

The wood is treated with a clear oil / shellac, and has a slightly flattened tip, to aid with insertion between strands. and grip on the cord.

The total length of the tool is 225mm or 8.75"

https://www.etsy.com/listing/119954286/fid-knot-tying-spike-marlinespike?ref=v1_other_2

This hand crafted Fid is turned from Beech wood, is treated with a Danish oil.
There is a recessed section in the handle to accommodate a nice section of hitching, grafting of a nice wide Turk's-Head Knot.
The total length of the tool is 190mm or 7.5"
(Note: this last tool was not made by Bud Brewer)

https://www.etsy.com/listing/119954138/fid-knot-tying-spike-marlinespike?ref=v1_other_1
SOLD

This Fid is turned from ? wood, (Sorry I am not sure exactly what type of wood this is) 

The wood is treated with a clear oil / shellac, and has a slightly flattened tip, to aid with insertion between strands. and grip on the cord. 

The total length of the tool is 245mm or 9.75"

https://www.etsy.com/listing/119954384/fid-knot-tying-spike-marlinespike

SOLD

This Fid is turned from a very beautiful looking wood, (sorry but I am unsure exactly what type of wood it is)

The wood is treated with a clear oil / shellac, and has a slightly flattened tip, to aid with insertion between strands. and grip on the cord. 

the handle of the Fid has a nice, long Spanish Ring Knot tied just below the knob. 

The total length of the tool is 225mm or 8.75"

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 ;-)

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 ;-)

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 ;-)