Artificial sinew for bridles

Greetings,
I've just re-read lightly's photo essay on tying in a prod (for about the sixth time in a row, great essay!), and I'm wondering, what strength artificial sinew would be recommended for tying the bridle up? It seems I have a choice (on-line) of 10#, 40#, or 70#. There's also a local leather store, and I imagine they'll have some variety, too.
I've been practice tying a prod on with light weight craft hemp, and the loops and knots are starting to make sense, but my Global Hemp 170# waxed hemp just arrived, and I think I'm ready to give it a go.
Thanks,
Frode

Let me know how that works out. I too have tried tying in prods but with limited success. Especially with a heavy steel prod. Tried leather lacing and blew apart on the first shot. Then tried waxed twine which worked for a few shots but eventually loosen up. Have some braided nylon cord that I might try next.

Hi Todd,
I found some artificial sinew this morning at a local leather shop that carries pretty much anything you can imagine, and then some. Though it doesn't state a test poundage, the man I spoke with helped me select it based on my description of what I was trying to do. It looks very similar to what's in the photo essay.
I've been provided the prod, a glass and wood composite, to work with, along with some specifics the final owner wants (trigger, tiller wood, etc.). I didn't string the prod, but my test lacing was surprisingly snug! I had to cut it off, in fact, though some of that may have had to do with the nature of the irregular 1 mm hemp cord I used.
Hopefully I'll have something to show soon.
Thanks,
Frode

It has been recommended to me use to bind on prods; non stretch Mason's line. It is available at hardware stores, relatively cheap, widely available, unaffected by humidity etc. High quality kite string is thinner but has similar properties.

Frode;

We use hemp for the bridle and artificial sinew for cinching it up.. I don't know the strength, we get what they have at Tandy's! I have NEVER had the sinew break while using it, altho, once or twice, the hemp has pulled apart, but, that was the lower quality hemp that we got when nothing else was available for a while...
And it is YOU who has been looking at the tie in photos! I noticed that a couple of folks have been going thru them one by one, and several times at each photo.. very cool! I hope that it helped you? If you have any questions, let me know. I tried to make it as clear as I could, and also be certain to say, that that method is not the be all and end it, however, it is what WE do here at New World Arbalest and we find it works well.

I have been told by the Most Excellent Todd, at Todd's stuff, that somewhere on the web there can be found the "original' way to tie on prods. (The way that he does it...) However, my Google-Fu has failed me in this respect, as I can find nowhere those instructions....
And, I really do wish to try it... I think it looks good, and I like to be more traditional where it is possible...
Anyone know where I CAN find that method? Every time I ask you all, I get tons of great info, and I really really appreciate it!

thanks so much;
Best;
Lightly

While I am not in the same league as Todd of Todd's stuff, I believe another way of cinching is to use a figure 8 wrap . Not sure though. Your way seems to work for you.

Todd

Lightly wrote:Frode;

We use hemp for the bridle and artificial sinew for cinching it up.. I don't know the strength, we get what they have at Tandy's! I have NEVER had the sinew break while using it, altho, once or twice, the hemp has pulled apart, but, that was the lower quality hemp that we got when nothing else was available for a while...
And it is YOU who has been looking at the tie in photos! I noticed that a couple of folks have been going thru them one by one, and several times at each photo.. very cool! I hope that it helped you? If you have any questions, let me know. I tried to make it as clear as I could, and also be certain to say, that that method is not the be all and end it, however, it is what WE do here at New World Arbalest and we find it works well.

I have been told by the Most Excellent Todd, at Todd's stuff, that somewhere on the web there can be found the "original' way to tie on prods. (The way that he does it...) However, my Google-Fu has failed me in this respect, as I can find nowhere those instructions....
And, I really do wish to try it... I think it looks good, and I like to be more traditional where it is possible...
Anyone know where I CAN find that method? Every time I ask you all, I get tons of great info, and I really really appreciate it!

thanks so much;
Best;
Lightly

Thanks, Lightly! I tried this once and it flew off into the void, so if another nearly duplicate response shows up, disregard.
I admit, I'm knot challenged, I just don't see them in my head. Once it clicks, it's all good, but until then...
Yep, I've book marked the essay, and it helped a lot! The only thing I'm unclear on is how to terminate the final figure eight wrap/knot. Would you by chance have a pic showing that las knot going in? Thanks
@Todd, I tried a straight figure eight, and a version that sort of knots on itself (no pictures, it was ugly), and there again, it went pretty well until I tied it off. It worked, but it wasn't pretty.
Thanks again!
Frode

I believe tying on prods is just an application of sailor's knots, so failing a Google miracle, Ashleys Book of Knots might be the Holy Grail of Wisdom, and lesser Tomes might yield gems too. Encyclopedia of Leather Braiding by Bruce Grant has many decorative knots, and ways to hide the ends of cords in braids etc. When all else fails, try a library card?
I am remembering a How To where some one bound in a prod using quadrupled kite string and did it very neatly but I don't have the link any more. Started out telling us to go find a grassy place in the park to do it? I'll check with Deicyn and see if he can point me in the right direction.