5 ft Stock Whip

[Mark Elliott]

Thanks, Robby.
Ready to start carving on the handle.
Goncalo Alves

[Ron May]

Ooooh, that's going to be beautiful Mark.

Ron

[Jyri Haveri]

It looks good Mark!

[Jesse Bessette]

That's a pretty piece of wood, Mark. Can't wait to see it finished

[Mark Elliott]

Lunch break, about an hour into the shaping and progress has been made. Still have an hour or two of rasping and sanding to go.

[Ron May]

Mark, the grain is really starting to come out.
Nicely done so far.

Ron

[Sir Roger Tuson]

Looking good there Mark. How long in total does it take you?

[Mark Elliott]

Thanks, Ron.

Sir Roger, hands on time will probably be 3.5 to 4 hours by the time I get the Tung oil on.

[Sir Roger Tuson]

And people wonder why good whips cost what they do! Little appreciation for the time expense.

[Mark Elliott]

Opinions, please-should I do a traditional half plaited handle or should I just do a small TH for the grip like Rachel did her's (Rachel's shown next to this one for an example. Please don't compare mine to her's as I am not even in the same league?) I'm leaning towards just the TH so that the wood is left more exposed. Rachel's is wound and I love the look, but I'd probably do a TH since it's just paracord and wouldn't convey the same elegance as the simply wrapped leather strand. Also the cord will darken when waxed.

[Ron May]

The handle looks great Mark.
I'm not sure what's going on at the keeper end.
Perhaps wrap it then use the french grapevine to give it a finished look, tucking in the working strand on the TH a little.
I don't know. It kind of looks hurried or unfinished.

You did a great job on the wood. I like that it tapers just a little smaller on the end.
Be proud.

Ron

[Mark Elliott]

Ron, I hadn't tucked and tightened the keeper end when I took the photo (still haven't) and I'm not sure about the french wrap, either. With this cord I can't seem to get the half hitches to stand up right. I might redo it with ungutted cord.

[Ron May]

I think the key to the French grapevine is to pull "upwards" hard to seat the knots. When I did the last one I almost "jerked" it into place. Also to be sure that they are not twisted. But you know that anyway.

Ron

[Rachel McCollough]

I disagree that you are not in the same league, Mark!!!

That handle is beautiful!!!

Personal opinion, I think a TH would look great and not hide the beauty of your handle.....

This whip is looking great.

[Mark Elliott]

Well, After looking and looking at the french vine, I suddenly realized I was tying it backwards.

Thanks Rachel, I think I'll just do a TH.

[Jessie Edwards]

How about a long turks or maybe a fancy wrap kind of knot?

[Mark Elliott]

Here's what a a 9x8 TH looks like on the end. Also fixed the french grapevine and changed the top knot to a 5x3 2 pass Spanish ring knot.

[Mark Elliott]

And it's finished.
[*][/*]

[Rachel McCollough]

Oh yeah!!!! That's what I'm talking about!!!!!
Fantastic!!

[Ron May]

That's the ticket.
That looks very good Mark.
The handle looks turned and not formed.

How does it crack?

Very nice job.