First try at a bull

[Rachel McCollough]

Anytime!

[Ben Varsek]

@ Rachel McCollough:

The way you have constucted the core and the first belly is fantastic Madam!!!
Using one dropped strand from the first belly to extend the BB core into a TT core is a brilliant idea and the plating as well as the taper both look very precise and clean.

Very well done Madam!!!

All the best
Ben

[Rachel McCollough]

Thank you Ben, we will see how it performs! If I get the transition solid and figure out the knots it will be a huge milestone for me.

[Ryan Fitts]

Looks awesome so far, and I'm definitely trying that false keeper start. Figures it comes from Dave.

[Brian Walker]

How does the transition between plaiting and TT feel after it's plaited over?

Thanks!
Brian

[Rachel McCollough]

Ryan, thanks, good to see you! You bet David does come up with the best ideas, it should be the Cross False Keeper Start.

Brian going from plaiting over the BB's to over the TT is smooth and you can feel its solid, like a cable. No hinge as I bound it above and below that spot. On other whips I make that's something I try for, TT all the way to the last 2 ft or so depending on the length. If your plaiting is the right strand count for the diameter you want to cover and you bound over the TT core, anything up to a 4 strand TT core and you won't feel bumps in the plaiting on the next belly. It really is a matter of what you want the action of the whip to be like.... In my limited experience so far!

[David Cross]

I'm glad you guys like that start. I use it on most of my whips, although that might change for the new generation of handles. I'm not sure yet.

It was honestly just a modified form of Ron Edwards' plaited keeper, which he details in his book. It's meant for use on stockwhips, but seeing that a flat plait can transition into a round plait made me realize I could wrap the end of the handle with it. It just feels more secure to me.

In any event, with plaiting over the heel end of the handle, you could use a different color paracord for the second belly, then leave a Turk's Head open on the overlay. That would show a different color cord through the "eye" of the heel knot, which might be a neat effect. I haven't messed with that much, yet, but it's an idea.

[Rachel McCollough]

David, thanks for putting the information out where we all can use it! It makes sense and is a very solid start. That I really like!

That is a great idea about the heel knot, I need to really think through the colors on this whip before I go any farther.

I really look forward to your next generation of handles!

[Brian Walker]

Thanks for the clarification Rachel, David.

[Rachel McCollough]

Nothing much new, but here it is ready for second belly. Tight open loop x binding about 6" past transition (3 layers) then full length tight closed loop binding.

[Rachel McCollough]

Nothing much new, but here it is ready for second belly. Tight open loop x binding about 6" past transition (3 layers) then full length tight closed loop binding.

[Ron May]

Thank you for the update Rachel.
Your binding looks very tight and tidy.

Ron

[Rachel McCollough]

Thanks, Ron! We will see how it behaves... It's tempting to leave at a single belly and put an overlay on there, but it would be better to be patient!

[Ben Varsek]

@ Rachel McCollough:

Thank you very much for sharing new pictures of your bullwhip Mrs. McCollough !!!
The binding of your bullwhip looks very clean, tight and even - very well done Madam !!!


All the best
Ben

[Rachel McCollough]

Thank you, Ben, I look forward to seeing pictures of more of your work!

[David Cross]

How are those closed loops treating you? I have a whip which uses them, but I haven't finished and broken it in yet. From what I've seen, it's an improvement.

Can't wait to hear how this one handles.

[Rachel McCollough]

Thanks, David! I like the result of the closed loop but it is a pain in the wrist for sure! I look forward to seeing how this whip handles too.

[Rachel McCollough]

Second belly, 12 plait, started this evening:

[Russell Jones]

Rachel, i've said it many times before, i'm no whip maker, but your handiwork looks very impressive.
I bet this is going to be a fantastic looking whip and fully functional whip!
All the best with this project.

[Rachel McCollough]

Well thank you, Russell! I appreciate it! I have so very much to learn, but I'm in the right place for that! (WB, of course!)

I should say this is again the Cross False Keeper Start...