swivels.....ifeel kinda stupid asking this

[rthmewap16]

ok so iv been doing a lot of reading and reasearch because i am taking the test next may and want to know my stuff when i go to the PFTH picnic next month so i dont look like a complete n00b to any potential sponcers. But the thing is i just dont understand the whole swivel thing.

ok i think understand that the anklets go around the tarsus, the jeeses go through the grommet on the anklets, the jesses are then connected to the swivel, the swivel is connected to the leash via a falconers knot, and the leash is connected to the gauntlet on the d-ring. do i have that right so far.

But the things that are kinda confusing me are what is the button on the leash for, wouldnt you have to untie the falconers knot (easy i know just pull) and then the knot on the gauntlet and then pull the least all the way through before you cast the bird.

is the button something that was added for birds that are just on fist and not being cast.

is there a "hunting leash" that dosent have a button.

the swivel stays or is suppose the stay connected to the jesses ....right

sorry bout the n00b ness, i have found any good places to explain this and the books i have reads havent explained it in detail, they just explained what the were.

rthmew

[Tiercel78]

The leash is attached to the swivel by running the end through the swivel. The button is what stops the leash from coming through. The falcory knot is used to tie bird to perch or glove. Some leashes don't have buttons but have loops instead. When you hunting you take off the leash and swivels. It is also goodto switch out the normal jesses to field jesses. To keep the bird from getting tangled while hunting. Field jesses lack the larger slits in them and usally just have a hole in them. The hole is used for a to connect a clip like hasp that you can run a leash through to keep control of the bird in the field. Also some falconers fly with no jesses at all. Best thing to do is just look for falconry pictures and look at the diffrent style os furniture.

[rthmewap16]

thanks for the info, i guess i was kinda off-base there.

[Weasel]

Don't feel bad, I had the same questions when I got started too. The use of the different equipment can be rather confusing as there are so many variations and different methods of doing these things. Eventually you will find a method that suits you or your sponsor will reccomend a method. I have recently changed the style of attachment to the swivel myself. I was using a button leash and now I have switched to a loop leash and I will possibly even use a fox loop design in the future. Here is a picture of a standard button leash design with the swivel.

Cheers,
Weasel

[Minca]

I believe there's pictures in the Leashes thread and Jesses thread in Equipment as well.

[wes]

We were decussing way swivel faces the other day, does it work better small end to bird or large end to bird?? out of habit, I put small end to bird. do any Rocket Scientist's have an oppinion?
wes

[Tiercel78]

Not sure if it matters but I was always put it large end to the bird. I was always taught to do it that way so it stuck. I thing it has something to do with preventing jesses from slipping down and catching the leash.. Course I've seen plenty of people do it the other way as well.-Zach

[Weasel]

The small(swiveling side) should go to the leash. The jesses as shown in the picture above can slide down and jam the operation of the swivel. The leash stays more clear of the swivel area than the jesses would so that end is usually put to the swiveling side.
Just what I have been told......

[wes]

rthmewap16, I don't think your a n00b, your doing your resreach. A+
I should have explained, I freeloft year round, so the only time my bird is teathered is to glove or creance. I've had no problems as I'm always with the bird at these times. The traditional way is best (large end of swivel to jess) as mentioned before, if you are teathering bird in weathering area or yard.


Below- THIS IS NOT RECOMMENDED for teathering birds !!!
For leashing bird to glove, I use two small alum. shackels or -- ah --- ah ok don't scream, two spring clips with them split ringed to swivel and clipped though slit in jesses, the other end of swivel is falconer's knotted to leash and Fal. knotted to ring on glove.
Above - IS NOT RECOMMENDED for teathering birds !!!
I've had no problems as I'm always with the bird at these times. I use two sizes of sampo swivels 300lb and 500 lbs. test, smaller on glove and larger for creance.
There are many ways of using swivels for leashing and teathering birds. good luck
wes