stock tie and pin annoyance

[Xanthoria]

At a mock hunt recently I was tying my fiancee’s stock and pinning it and remembered how irritating they are. Most of my stocks are covered in blood spots from me stabbing self with pin!

1. I ordered a Large stock tie - it’s about 10" too short on him. Barely enough to cross the ends over. Who makes a really LONG one?

2. Stock pins made of flimsy gold plated metal are awful - they bend. Has anyone tried the steel shank ones? Worth the extra $?

3. Anyone use a tie tack or any other pinning method? I am afraid I will give my SO an unintended tracheotomy soon!

[Janet]

The only stock pins worth bothering with to actually PIN a STOCK are the ones with steel shanks.

With regard to the length, did you put the buttonhole in the front or the back?

[Xanthoria]

buttonhole in the front - hmmmm…

[JSwan]

Horse Country sells a four fold stock tie. A long one.

I no longer bother with any form of stock pin sold at a tack store. I go to the fabric store and buy kilt pins. Super strong and dirt cheap. Last for years.

They go through thick fabric pretty easily and I no longer stab myself.

[Beverley]

Well, if it ain’t long enough, you simply don’t have it tight enough. If you can swallow, it’s not tight enough.

And. Even the best pin needs a little lubrication to get it started. I rub mine on either side of my nose (without drawing blood mind you), ya know, that oil that gave you zits as a teenager is still there and DOES have a use.

[Xanthoria]

Hah! I am all for spitting on thermometers but that’s a new one! :lol:

As for choking the fiancee I am trying to encourage him to ride, and not by cutting of circulation to his head!

It was snug though - buttonhole affixed to button at front, through the “slot” thingy, and back to the front. Knotted, the ends just barely crossed.

[Beverley]

Well, fiance was a football player in previous life? Lineman, maybe?

There is some nominal sizing to stocks. As suggested, check w/Horse Country, they can advise you. True, we want to keep him comfy til he is hopelessly hooked…

[Hunter_s_Rest]

2 choices:
New stock tie.
New fiance.
Your call.
: o )

[Xanthoria]

ooooh… uhhhmmm… gosh, tough call!!!

well I bought a Large stock to fix this problem and he’s no football player - normal neck. I think the manufacturer is wacko though - the tie is the same length at my other 2.

yeah OK, new tie. Seems easiest!

[jawa]

Do you know someone who knows how to use a sewing machine? You can order material, or purchase at your local fabric store, and provide the handy individual with the too short stock and ask for one made in a similar fashion,only longer.

I have a friend in my hunt who I gave some white flannel fabric to and she made me a flannel stock! Perfect for those cold days. I may even try to get one made out of a fine nap fleece.

I 2nd the kilt pins!

Also while you are at the fabric store, you might be able to find a pin cushion that has a small attachment. This attachment is for sharpening needles. I bet it would sharpen a stock pin as well.

I also find that if I go through a layer of fabric at a time, I don’t have to push so hard, so don’t have to worry as much about impaling myself.

[KateDB]

X, similar problem in our household. My husband wears my Father’s stock, and while they were similar sizes, their necks are apparently not even close -Leatherneck’s necks are larger!

I agree with others in finding someone to make one. In fact, use the too-small one as a template, so seamstress knows how much bigger it needs to be!

[mountainbells]

After buying a Horse Country 4 fold stock tie, I realized that even a sewing klutz like me can make one. Went to the local cheap fabric store (JoAnnes or something like that) and bought white cotton fabric, cut it out and hemmed the edges then ironed the folds in. Much cheaper. My Horse Country’s stock tie measures 77 inches long by 9 1/4 inch wide and they are pretty long!!! I actually made mine much shorter.

Great idea about the kilt pins.

[BirdM]

If you’re not keen on stabbing your nose, a wise master once recommended chapstick on your stock pin…

[wateryglen]

just my 2 sense!

Also…don’t try to go thru ALL the layers of fabric either. Just enough to hold the pin & sides in place! I mean; the knot ain’t going anywhere so it doesn’t have to be anchored. Go thru the side piece, then just one/two layers of knot, then the other side piece. Adjust and voila!!! That’s just 3 punctures of thinner layers of cloth. Practice, practice, practice. Go for quality not quantity.

Second making your own 4 folds. I like cotton oxford cloth available in spring/summer. Yellow/vanilla goes with any kind of cubbing jacket. Patterned white oxford makes a classy look for formal season. And remember!! 4 folds make great bandages!!! Just sayin’!!!

[Xanthoria]

I usually go through the layers one at a time and even then it’s infuriating: top fold, bottom fold, shirt, then back out through shirt and folds again.

Going to get (make) a 4 fold and steel pin, for sure.

Cotton Oxford or pique, you think? Lawn will be too lightweight, no?

[Beverley]

@wateryglen;5559898

Also…don’t try to go thru ALL the layers of fabric either. Just enough to hold the pin & sides in place!

You flunk, and are condemned to hell. Oh, no, wait. All foxhunters are condemned to hell, because we have had our heaven on earth.

If you don’t get it all the way through, including the knot, you are required to furnish the stirrup cup.

[JSwan]

@Beverley;5560334

If you don’t get it all the way through, including the knot, you are required to furnish the stirrup cup.

Oooo - can I be the one that conducts the inspection?

I like Scotch. Single Malt. Don’t get cheap on me, people, or I’ll stick my beagle in your truck as punishment. She needs a bath.

[gypsymare]

also for sharpening stock pins, pull out a nail clipper and use the metal file to get a nice point.

[StoneleaFarm]

Where do you all get your steel shank stock pins? Dover has an expensive pin, so I assume it has steel, but it doesn’t say explicitly and I want to be sure!

I have bent so many cheap pins lately…

[Ghazzu]

I use a bandage pin.