Hey dudes and dudettes! Getting ready for Faire this season and my hubs asked me to braid some leather straps for a baldric for him. I decided to take it a step further and just make the whole thing. Here's a look at what i did!

Step 1: What You'll Need.

Mallet
Hammer
leather strips (I used 48'' for this)
box cutter (or exacto)
leather punch (with interchangeable tips so you can get the right size.)
rivets (I used tubular...)
tubular rivet peening tool
tailors measuring tape (not pictured cuz I forgot.. )
Two steel rings - 1'' diameter (also not pictured... sorry)

Step 2: Measure!

Figure out where you want your sword to sit, and measure from the sword, up and around your opposing shoulder back to the sword.

Step 3: Attach and Braid.

Take 4 of your leather straps and line them up evenly on top of one another. Pull the top strip up so it is about 1 inch higher than the other three. punch a hole through all 4 and then one more hole on the top strap at the top. (this piece is going to loop over the others and fasten around a ring) Once you have the straps attached, you can start your braid. once your braid is finished, repeat the attachment to the other ring.

Step 4: Fit to Your Sword

Now, you're going to take some straps ( I used 4.. you can use three or two or whatever) and wrap them once around your scabbard and mark where you are going to punch. It should be a snug fit but not so tight you can't move them. (Make sure to leave a good amount of length on the end for joining) You're going to make three holes, two on one end so you can make a loop and have a clean edge on the inside. Repeat for each loop then take all straps and join around the ring on one side of your braid. I made mine about 3'' from the loop to the join.

Repeat for the other side! I put mine on a few times during construction to make sure the length was right and the straps were sitting the way I wanted.

Step 5: Viola!

I found it's not an exact science. If you mess up, it's ok. (I did, plenty) You can just try again, yes you waste materials, but like many other things on life, practice makes.. well... you know. Hope I got everything out there.. if you have any questions... uh.. ask I guess.