Whip Basics. The Forum

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

Ooooh, that's going to be beautiful Mark.

Ron

It looks good Mark!

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

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.

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

Ron

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

Thanks, Ron.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

How does it crack?

Very nice job.