Arizona whips

[Guest]

Craig, that looks really well. I think I'll copy the idea of splicing two coloured strands at the top.

The FAQ link you provided points to the member section, neither Basti nor I have access to it.

[Ben Varsek]

@ Craig Frank:

The square start that you've made looks fantastic Mr. Frank and its also a nice way of making a off colored handle design !!!

@ Alexander Müller:

You've mentioned that you bought Ron Edwards "how to make whips" book. The square start tuorial is on page 31 in that book but you can also follow the video posted below.


@ Sebastian Schott:

Basti, since I remember that you don't have a copy of that book this video might help you:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vIcD8bEX58


All the best
Ben

[Guest]

Ben, thanks for the link and the pointer to the book chapter. I have to admit, that I did not read that part yet. I have a backlog of 4 new books on whips and braiding right now.

[Rachel McCollough]

Craig I got so excited about the copper collars I slam forgot to say what I thought about this-

You should be really, really proud about that start! Beautiful! Very well done,

Congratulations!!!!

[Sir Roger Tuson]

As some people in the UK say, 'proper job'!

[Sebastian Schott]

Thanks Ben, that helps me understanding it

[Craig Frank]

Thank you, everyone. I have meetings and races and classes every day until Monday, so I hope I can find time to finish it.

[Craig Frank]

Finished the thong. Friday I'll start the handle. Since this was my first 20 plait, my weave got a little twisty, but it passes the roll out test great. For some reason, I was having trouble on every layer dropping below six strands, so I ended them all in six strands, to include the overlay. This is my first six point fall hitch. I think it came out good. The whip is stiff as hell. It already cracks with no effort as long as you use the weight and don't try to over throw it.

[Ron May]

Craig, over all it looks pretty good.
The main thing is the performance. It sounds like you did it right on that aspect.
Trying something new is always a challenge, but you did a good job.

Ron

[Rachel McCollough]

Craig it looks great! Not much twist!
That's really going to look cool with copper...

[Ben Varsek]

Fantastic work Mr. Frank !!!

Did you do a checkerboard plait at the 6 plait section of this whip?

@ Sebastian Schott:
@ Alexander Müller:

Your welcome !!!


All the best
Ben

[Craig Frank]

Ben - no. Just regular under two over one.

[Craig Frank]

I just finished the handle and I'm not confident. I used the crown start and did the diamond (?) plait. I don't think I'll be able to do the double transition knot because of how bumpy/bulky the transition is. I think I'll just have to do one big giant knot.

[Craig Frank]

I realize now that I've been messing up on the off colored handles.

I've been doing the thong first, then weaving the handle, going slightly over the transition part, wrapping the handle really tightly with thread or paracord guts, cutting off the loose ends, melting then altogether, and covering the mess with the transition knot foundation.

I should be doing the handle first, wrap the transition point tightly in thread, leave the loose strands hanging, then start the thong directly over the wrapped part, covering the loose ends so that the end of the handle wrap is more secure.

[Ron May]

Craig, have you entertained the idea of plaiting in opposite directions?
The thong from transition to tip. The handle from transition to top.
that way the two would meet more or less equal in thickness and the knot would cover both.
Just a thought.

Ron

[Craig Frank]

Is that how others do it? It sounds like it would work really well. Maybe next time.

[Ron May]

Craig I really don't know if others do it that way but it just seemed to solve the thickness problem.
I hope it works for you if you use it.

Ron

[Craig Frank]

The transition on this whip is giving me pause. Because of the way I did the off colored handle I have a large lump at the transition area. Also because I did the crown start with a multi colored paracord I have to cover more of an area. At first I was going to do two knots with a copper-colored collar. However, I didn't think it was going to work because of the lump caused when I melted down the end of the blue handle. So instead I was going to do one large knot. However, that was going to be huge in order to cover both the end of the handle enough to secure it plus covering the transition plus covering the top of the thong where the crown start was to include the seams of the two colored paracords stuck together. So I went back to 2 knots with the collar. I had to use several different layers of hockey tape to try to level everything off, and then wrap the copper around the entire area. I think I got it now to where it will work.

[Robert Gage]

A nifty solution, Craig. But - dare I ask - are those gaps in the heel knot?

[Rachel McCollough]

I think that is prep for heel knot foundation, Mr. Robert. That airing on the handle sure is looking nice!
Craig I love the copper on it. It's looking sharp! You're steady improving I see. Great!!!!