Higher Strand Count Handle

[Sir Roger Tuson]

This is the build thread for my Christmas project. Following on from Jessie's 275 whip, I'm looking to create a (hopefully) 32-strand 275 plaited handle flowing into a standard 550 thong. Handle will be black and red and the thong entirely red. Total length will be 6'6".





I first made the Twisted Taper core and then reverse plaited it onto the handle This gives a much better transition taper than plaiting down the handle and then starting the TT





Completed core - fully bound.



Second belly rolled, bound and rolled again. Realy liking this taper.



And that's it until Chrstmas day - unless Kat lets me open one of my presents early :o Mind you, I reckon working out the plaiting for this handle will keep me occupied for a while!

[Ben Varsek]

Sir Roger, that looks like a superb start!
The plaiting is accurate, the binding looks very good and taper is fantastic!
Attaching the TT core by revers plaiting onto the hadle is a great idea! - thank you very much for sharing!

All the best
Ben

[Ron May]

Sir Roger, it's very inventive to reverse plait the TT core backwards on to the handle.
It's looking very good.
If the diameter of the handle is the same as your standard whips I think you should have little trouble with the 32 plait.

When I was researching this I figured out that double the strand count for any given plait is about right. However that was on paper, and we know how that goes.

I think this is going to be awesome.

Ron

[Robert Gage]

Looks very good, Rog!

[Sir Roger Tuson]

Thanks all. This is the fourth whip I've built in six weeks - really on a roll!

[Sven van Leeuwen]

Sir Roger, I'm looking forward to your progress.

[Brandon "Sparky" Lam]

Roger, this is exciting! I actually have red and black micro cord as well waiting for me, was planning to do this for AGES.

Can't wait to see what your design is going to be!! ^_^

[Jessie Edwards]

Are you planning on gutting the 275?. If so, gut it one strand at a time. It's a pain, but it's less likely to bind up in the cord. That has to be the worst part, especially with super long pieces. Ugh.

[Jyri Haveri]

Looking superb sir Roger!

[Mark Elliott]

Nice start, Sir Roger. Really excited to see how this comes out.

[Rachel McCollough]

Roger this is awesome!

[Sir Roger Tuson]

Jessie, I should be ok on the gutting as I'm only doing the handle in 275 so will be working with short cords - about 1.5'-1.75' each.

[Ethan Mitchell]

Looking great so far Roger! I've been trying to find a way to strengthen the transition between handle and the TT core other than binding. I think you hit on it!

[Ethan Mitchell]

Or rather to eliminant the weak point between the handle plait and the TT.

[Jesse Bessette]

Roger, that looks brilliant. Can't wait to see it.

[Scott A. Cary]

Wow, Roger, that looks fantastic.

[Sir Roger Tuson]

Or rather to eliminant the weak point between the handle plait and the TT.

Yeah, on previous whips, I'd have to go back and add a lot of extra sinew to that area. Coming out of a 4-plt into the TT, with a tapered end to the handle often let the tip of the handle poke through the cord. By reverse plaiting you can 'bed' the tip of the handle in the centre of the TT which then tightens even more as you pull on the strands going up the handle.

[Brandon "Sparky" Lam]

Sir Roger, may I ask, what's the exact diameter of the handle, and the width of your cord? I'd like to quickly put those numbers into my calculations to see whether they're correct at all :P

[Jesse Bessette]

Roger, I cannot wait to see how this comes out.

[Sir Roger Tuson]

Sparky,

Just rechecked and the handle is 2cm (3/8") in diameter (this is measuring over the second belly and binding). The gutted 275 cord is approx 2.8mm wide when pressed as flat as I can make it. As I've said, 28 strands seems to cover it well.