Putting an extra twist in axe mask plait

[Nice65]

Anyone know how to put an extra twist in this plait to get it a little tighter to the blade? It’s gotta be easy, but I can’t do it. Many thanks in advance. I took the axe out to give it some beeswax and lindseed, a good sharpen etc and haven’t done anything apart from ponder the mask.

 

[Nice65]

Properly messed it up now.

 

[Mesquite]

Check out how to do mystery leather braids on YT

 

[Dave Budd]

as soon as I saw the picture of the braided strap I knew the text would say that it was loose. Of course it was loose, those braids almost double in length when stretched out! Not the right thing to put on a retaining strap!

Even if you are able to re-plait it, it will never be tighter than you started (more likely to be looser actually). You might be able to tighten a little by moving the rivet on the mask to strap connection, if there is space, but it will leave a hole. The only way you will get a tighter strap is to remove it and put a new one on, made from a solid strip this time

 

[Stew]

How about stitching a solid strap behind. The extra thickness may take up enough space but also leaves the decorative element.

 

[Nice65]

Cheers guys. I’ll try and get an extra twist in it from the vid, I like the mask, it was made by TopKnot on here who hasn’t been about much recently. It’s a nice thing, I’d like to preserve it as the axe doesn’t go out much, it sits in the fireplace looking pretty.

 

[Broch]

I’d like to preserve it as the axe doesn’t go out much, it sits in the fireplace looking pretty.

Oooh, if only I could get away with my axes sitting around the fireplace!

If I was a bachelor the axes would be there and my Bonny would be to the side