Arizona whips

[Rachel McCollough]

That plaiting. Not airing. Stupid phone

[Craig Frank]

Ha! No. Those are nails. I haven't done the heel knot yet because I had to go get some plastic dip, which is currently drying in the last pic.

[Robert Gage]

Of course! I see now....

[Craig Frank]

Done with the transition knots. Tomorrow I'll do the heel knot after the plastic dip dries more. I'm using a concho in the design of a Morgan silver dollar, which was in use when Arizona became a state in 1912. I know there are some small gaps in the handle weave, but you can only see them from a certain angle. It would have been better to use a darker hockey tape, but oh well. I also acknowledge that the burnt ends of the transition knots are ugly, but I want them to be well secured.

[Sir Roger Tuson]

Craig, nice work but on those transition knots... could you not snip the ends much closer and tuck them under rather than singe? I can't stop my eyes being drawn to the dark spot!

[Craig Frank]

How strong would that be? Function over form.

[Rachel McCollough]

One thing I have tried with knots that doesn't move is glue under the knot. After it is tightened, I leave the tail long, pull up just a bit and with a clear glue (E6000, in this case) glue that one spot down. The small tube of E6000 comes with a small tip and can get under that edge very well. Let set, then trim short- right next to the knot with curved embroidery scissors.
I like a really clean appearance and I also agree with function over form too. Everyone has different ways of getting it done.

I love the copper. I might have already said that...

[Craig Frank]

Thank you, Rachel.

I wish I had this shade of gold when I did my American flag whip.

[Rachel McCollough]

It's a nice shade!

[Sir Roger Tuson]

As far as I can see, the transition knots are purely decorative so with no stresses being put through them, I see no reason why they should start to loosen. I've not had any problems with any of my knots, transition or heel coming loose (apart from one that came off in Robert's hand 'cos the foundation was the wrong material!)

[Craig Frank]

All done. I think this is my best handling whip so far. I'm going to hate giving it up.





https://youtu.be/qeznX1R8UY8

[Rachel McCollough]

Well done, Craig! Improvement on each new one, and it does indeed look like it handles nicely! Have I mentioned I like the copper?!
I think it went together great, it represents the Arizona flag well. Good job!

[Robert Gage]

Craig, that moves nicely. Looks like it's got quite a lot of weight - a real advantage (I think).

[Craig Frank]

Thank you, Rachel.

Robert - it's very heavy and stiff. I have to force myself to not use too much strength and let the weight do it all.

[Robert Gage]

Craig, that's exactly what I like about heavy whips: the whip does almost all the work. All you have to do is guide it!

[Sir Roger Tuson]

That all looks very nice Craig. I do like that solid blue handle and heel knot. That copper winding is a clever touch.

[Craig Frank]

Thank you, Roger.

[Jessie Edwards]

I am diggin' the copper accent too...

[Tyler Blake]

You've come along way since you first started Craig! That is a really cool way to do the collar, too

[Ben Varsek]

Great work Mr. Frank and thank you for sharing the video !!!

I think it's very cool that you're trying new ways like the off colored handle method that you've used on this whip instead of just following preset tutorials. That's what whipmaking is all about in my opininon (experimenting and finding new ways for a certain method) !!!

All the best
Ben