Hood Blocks

[Fawkes]

I'm interested in trying my hand at making dutch hoods - can any one recomend a place to get a decent set of hood blocks (or has a used set they want to sell?).

Also, what sort of leather am I looking for?

[Afshimo]

ron rollins? he has a website and stuff somewhere...

I think kangaroo's pretty good for hoods, most maker's use that or calfskin. Ask griffMJ - he's hoods are ace!

[Biarmicus]

Hi Fawkes,

There are hood blocks at Mikes Falconry Supplies in Oregon, USA.

He also sells other equipment for making hoods.

I have ordered stuff from him before and I would recommend his falconry products anytime.
He also sells a video on how to make a dutch hood if your interested.

http://www.mikesfalconry.com/group.asp?grp=116&pgNUM=1

Brittney

[GriffMJ]

I'm interested in trying my hand at making dutch hoods - can any one recomend a place to get a decent set of hood blocks (or has a used set they want to sell?).

Also, what sort of leather am I looking for?

Hi

Talk to "SakerJack" on this forum.... Ken Hooke of Falconry Hoods International.... I think he lives near Winnipeg in Canada. He also sells blocks and i am sure he will offer you some good advice :)

[Fawkes]

Hey wow, its a small world after all! Apparently Ken Hooke makes hoods off Dennis Maynes' blocks. He's part of the nearest falconry club - maybe I can get some from him.

So Griff, what do you make your hoods from? Thickness/density would be great info too!

[Moses]

Hi Fawkes,

There are hood blocks at Mikes Falconry Supplies in Oregon, USA.

He also sells other equipment for making hoods.

I have ordered stuff from him before and I would recommend his falconry products anytime.
He also sells a video on how to make a dutch hood if your interested.

http://www.mikesfalconry.com/group.asp?grp=116&pgNUM=1

Brittney


awesome site mate

[Mikey]

So Fawksie m8!! You still want some wax formula!?If so maybe a nice ounce block of pure beeswax to wax your threads you're using on these hoods to go with it!!

[GriffMJ]

Hey wow, its a small world after all! Apparently Ken Hooke makes hoods off Dennis Maynes' blocks. He's part of the nearest falconry club - maybe I can get some from him.

So Griff, what do you make your hoods from? Thickness/density would be great info too!


You will certainly be able to get blocks from him ...and they are very good. I make my hoods from 1.5mm Calf leather or 3-4oz.

Ken makes hoods on Rollins blocks mostly... i beleive that he has only just started to make them from the Maynes blocks. I have complete sets of Rollins, Tait & Maynes... so I have a good selection to choose from.

[SakerJack]

Hello Fawkes,
I now make all my Khans, Desert Hoods, Pred8tr, and Carry Anglo Hoods using the Chinook Blocks(Dennis Maynes blocks).
I am in the process of making one of every size of Dutch hood using the Chinook blocks..
I rarely make Dutch hoods and have just recently completed a set of blocks for myself..
Thanks for the kind word about the blocks Griff, I too use 3-4 oz leather on my hoods ,cept for my arab which I use a softer 2-3 oz in combinationa with 3-4 oz..
Sakerjack,
Ken Hooke
Falconry Hoods International

[Fawkes]

Thanks for all the help guys! Looking forward to my first field meet on sat (if it goes ahead). Will talk to Dennis Maynes and, of course, post all kinds of nice pics :)

[Fawkes]

Oh yeah, what sort of thread do you guys use on your lovely hoods?

[SakerJack]

Fawkes,
Say Hi to Dennis for me. I use two types of upholstry thread..
Sakerjack
Ken Hooke

[BLD122]

Fawkes,
Say Hi to Dennis for me. I use two types of upholstry thread..
Sakerjack
Ken Hooke


If I may add a reference, I am very meticulous when it comes to hoods for my birds and as such I have often turned to Ken Hook for advice. He has always accommodated my many inquires and has remained helpful even when I become trying.

Chris

[M4tt]

You will certainly be able to get blocks from him ...and they are very good. I make my hoods from 1.5mm Calf leather or 3-4oz.

Ken makes hoods on Rollins blocks mostly... i beleive that he has only just started to make them from the Maynes blocks. I have complete sets of Rollins, Tait & Maynes... so I have a good selection to choose from.

3-4 oz calf leather? really? thats what i made my first hoods out of. (5 hoods, cannon :) and a couple anglo indian, "practice hoods") and it was heavy stuff... a couple falconers i showed them to said they were to heavy (weight wise, not strength wise).

i use waxed thread, dont really know what type exactly, but i got it from TandyLeather ;) great place

[GriffMJ]

3-4 oz calf leather? really? thats what i made my first hoods out of. (5 hoods, cannon :) and a couple anglo indian, "practice hoods") and it was heavy stuff... a couple falconers i showed them to said they were to heavy (weight wise, not strength wise).

i use waxed thread, dont really know what type exactly, but i got it from TandyLeather ;) great place

well i am not going to give away all my trade secrets now...am i :D

[Fawkes]

Any kind of 1.5mm calf leather? Or do you pick some specially tanned stuff? None of the leather places around here have any ideas on what would work for falconry, so I've found it's best to know the kind of tanning process or other technical terms to get the idea across, seeing as I usually dont know what what I'm looking for looks like :P

I understand the leather stiffens after its wetted on the block and dried, so is it better to find some leather that is easier to work with or stiff? obviously it shouldnt be suede on both sides or overly fuzzy. Tips anyone?

[SakerJack]

Fawkes, Other Hood makers,
The subject of types of leathers has been brought up. I was told years ago by Dennis Maynes and John Moran to use this type of leather, it is what I use and what I recommend to other hoodmakers, including Griff when I was approached by him several months ago.
Go to your Tandy store and ask for Oak Leaf Tooling Hide. It is available in many different weights and both Griff and I use the same weights, 3-4oz., I also use 2-3 oz for smaller hoods and arab style as well..
You can sometimes get these hides in a # 2 quality and some of the hides are very good.. This leather is easy to work with, molds well on the block and for those who want to do tooling on the hood it is the finest out there..
As for dyes I highly recommend Fiebing oil dye.It is a better quality and it far superior to the other dyes that Tandy's sell..
There are a tips for hoodmakers out there..
Sakerjack
Ken Hooke
Falconry Hoods International

[SakerJack]

Be picky when selecying the hide, make sure the back side of the hide is smooth and not fuzzy,and there are no wrinkles or bruises or bug bites... It will take a bit of practice but gey the Tandy person to show you all the hides in a weight you want, bith top grade and number 2 grade.
Sakerjack
Ken Hooke
Falconry Hoods International

[Fawkes]

Unfortunately Dennis maynes doesnt sell hoods any more :(

I don't suppose you'd give me a deal on hood blocks (or even just one), hey Ken?
I just want to try it out, I don't even have a bird to pick a size for.

[SakerJack]

Fawkes,,
I think we can work something out, send me a PM and we will discuss it.
Sakerjack
Ken Hooke
Falconry Hoods International

[Fawkes]

Oh, and one other question, I was reading Glasier's method to making dutch hoods and it mentions needing a durable fabric for the eye pieces - does any one know what he's refering to? It seems like it would make the exterior of the eyepieces fabric and not leather, but I've seen plenty of dutch hoods with leather eyepieces...

help, I'm confused!

[GriffMJ]

Oh, and one other question, I was reading Glasier's method to making dutch hoods and it mentions needing a durable fabric for the eye pieces - does any one know what he's refering to? It seems like it would make the exterior of the eyepieces fabric and not leather, but I've seen plenty of dutch hoods with leather eyepieces...

help, I'm confused!

Hi Fawkes

You have to glue felt ...or any material thats adequate. Take a look at my page on making a Mollen Hood.... should give you a better idea of what Glasier is talking about as he basically copied Mollens way of doing things.

http://www.m-jhoods.co.uk/Mollen_Make.htm

[Fawkes]

ah.. ok. So the eye pannels turn out as felt on the outside. I take it this is optional, as I've seen many hoods with leather eyepieces? These hoods are made in the same manner as all leather hoods, no?

[GriffMJ]

ah.. ok. So the eye pannels turn out as felt on the outside. I take it this is optional, as I've seen many hoods with leather eyepieces? These hoods are made in the same manner as all leather hoods, no?

Yes .... the dutch hood is made in the same way if you are using felt eye panels or just plain leather ones.

[Fawkes]

pm'd you SakerJack

[Fawkes]

Griff, I've seen some of your lizardskin hoods in your gallery - do you glue the lizard skin to heavier leather, or is it straight lizard? Very nice hoods!

[GriffMJ]

Griff, I've seen some of your lizardskin hoods in your gallery - do you glue the lizard skin to heavier leather, or is it straight lizard? Very nice hoods!

Hi

Yes its bonded in the same way as you would bond felt to the eye panels.... reptile skin is wafer thin and is easily used.

I also use frog, Toad, Ostrich, all sorts of snake, Lizard and others ...they make great looking hoods and look great on falcons.... the lizard skin hood on my index page was purchased for a Pere Tiercel ...and it really does set the colour of the Pere off nicley :)

[Ermoro]

U can spend less buying directly from Ron Rollins

http://hawkmasters.net/

[HawkNorth]

anybody know were i can pick up a set of hood blocks

[Fawkes]

SakerJack (Ken Hooke) sells them from his site - falconry hoods international.

I will likely be getting mine from there when I finally get them