Whip Basics. The Forum

Thank y'all!
Wolfgang, definitely both are here. Many of the whip handlers became whip makers because, like Mark, they wished to have a whip and it was not inexpensive to purchase a decent whip. However, as Mark pointed out so well, one whip would have been less expensive than all those supplies.... But what learning we would miss out on!

Craig, thanks!!! Great to see you!

Wolfgang here are both, think every one here had try to make a whip in his oder her life, but not everyone here would build his own whips

So a good mix of ‚makers‘ and ‚only-users‘
I assume there are hardly any ‚only-makers‘

My apologies, I have been working...
Resume!
Now, can you guess?

This is part of the project, but not for the stock whip.


And.....



The white on the fiberglass handle is staging or mason line, to bring the diameter of the handle to the same as where the paracord is epoxied onto the handle.
No tape of any kind...(Not all tape is bad, I just do not use it in my style of whips),
No epoxy past the tip of the handle.
No bolsters in my nylon whips.

Here we have starting the first belly, a square start.


Other side:


Starting the first belly on the other whip...


And the finished first belly of this one:

Rachel, watching you work is a pleasure.

I like watching the progress on your whips.

Ron

Mark and Ron, Thank you very much. That means a LOT!

Beatiful work Rachel!

Rachel, this is so tantalising! Thanks very much!

It's always interesting to see the progress of a construction. Thank you Rachel.

I agree with all the above, Rachel. This is fascinating to see each stage.

Nice looking so far! Why do you do that short section of diamond plait at the end of the handle?

Ethan, I'm guessing that it's because it the easiest way to begin the square start. Or at least that's why I do it.

Thank y'all very much!

Ethan, if you are referencing the square start then yes, just as Mark stated.

I have a feeling that you may be referencing the other (transition) end of the handle. If that is the case, I use a diamond or short herringbone plait on any whip with an internal handle. I start that plait a few inches above and end a few inches past the tip of the tapered internal handle. This helps strengthen the transition as well as most likely keeping the narrowed and tapered tip of the rod from ever jutting through the plaiting, as I have seen pictures of some bent tent nail rods doing. It works well for the feel of the whip as well as it makes me feel better.

Didn't even notice the DP at the transition end. Cool.

Mark,
I was talking about the transition area.
Rachel,
Thanks! That makes sense, but does the diamond/short herringbone plait add that much rigidity? I was thinking that you did that so you can line up the diamond/short herringbone on the handle overlay...

Hey Ethan,
No I generally only use the side seams to gauge all of the centering of the seams. Every plait has a slightly different center line, some very difficult to see.

It adds some rigidity, really more spring than rigidity.