Whip Basics. The Forum

Julia, I don't know if you can get Amazon products easily where you live but here's a link to some. You can use their search feature to find more selections for colors and amount.

https://www.amazon.com/1-X-Natural-Simu ... 08&sr=8-11

Ron

I always roll mine before I bind,

I'm still using this 1mm thick thread i order from china for my binding and crackers. I have a spool of artificial sinew but i'm saving that for my future leahter whips.

My criteria for binding material is that it has to be strong and flat, or at least it has to go flat when you roll it.
Using inner threads from paracord is hard and as they are round it is very hard to get smooth binding.

I bind my cores with closed loop binding always and roll them several times.

I have to give tt cores another try someday.

Rachel's right.
Roll the whip and TT a couple of times before binding.
You might be surprised how much smoother that makes the whole thing.

Ron

No idea how I could have missed out on the rolling. Lesson learned! I will take of the binding I have now and will start over. This might as well come to be the longest build thread ever! In lieu of flat artificial sinew, I might as wel practice my TT core again. That's what will make it perfect, won't it? Haha!

I did discover that an (imperfect even) TT core, with wobbly binding, makes for less of a noodle compared to my first e-tape bullwhip.



Ron, I tried searching for artificial sinew on Amazon UK and Amazon in Germany, but haven't found flat sinew as of yet. I'll do another search. (Amazon.com unfortunately doesn accept my Dutch paying methods.)

I found this using," flat artificial sinew in the EU" on google.
I think it's in Denmark.

https://www.leatherhouse.eu/products/?s ... cial+sinew

It was one of the first suggestions to pop up. Perhaps further research on your side would be more beneficial.

Ron

Great find! I was just eyeing that one as well Ron. It's 30 meters per spool. I will continue my search for a bit though, in the hope of finding a spool with a bit more thread on it for a lower price.

I agree, 30m is not a lot of length.
Good luck.

Ron

Julia, have a look at this one from Denmark

https://www.thegoodstuffshop.dk/d/Kunst ... i3303.html

A good roll and good x binding should be fine!

Third time is supposed to be a charme, right? And thus I decided to make another TT core. Why not? One can never have enough cores. I am again quite amazed by the stiffness of the twisted cord, apart from the transition (which needs some extra binding of course).

I ditched the used binding:


Made myself another core (and rolled it...):


I found some flat sinew as well and ordered it. I'll need to patiently wait till next week. But lo and behold, my neighbour, who is an avid horse rider, had some pektouw (flat, waxed thread to braid the mane of a horse). When we discussed my current project, she gifted me some. So I had to try of course. I started a closed loop binding on the handle to see how it would work. And even though it is thin, it is much easier to bind with, compared to the round thread.



I'll continue with the closed loop binding till a bit after the transition and will then try the crossed loop binding. Tomorrow (if time allows) that is. I'll call it a day for now.

Julia, you're going to like the flat pektouw much better than string.
The artificial sinew will most likely be even better than that.

Nice close loop binding.

Ron

Julia, this latest effort looks a whole lot better! Well done!

Thethird time is a charm indeed. I just finisihed the binding my core and I am satisfied with how it looks and how it feels!

I will be starting my first 10 plait belly for which I want to do drops (per two strands) on the outside, going towards a 4 plait that transitions to a tapering twist ending.

I also want to start with a square start (is that what it's called?) So I'd better get to measuring and gutting my cords, while reading up on that square start. Wish me luck, maybe the first belly won't have to be redone twice.

Julia, you're making good progress in developing your own methodology.
Taking and keeping notes is key.


Ron

Ron, thank you! (If you see anything that seems strange or outright wrong, I'd love to hear that as well. )

Looking great!

The square start (is it even possible with a 10 plate?) is my new Turk's head knot. This will take me some time. I've been fumbling quite a bit yesterday. Way past the 'third time is a charm mark'. Haha!

This almost looks like I have something going:


And it's back to the drawing board:


I'll get there though. No worries.

Julia, you can use a square start with any number of strands. It looks like you are doing it right. It's just a matter of tightening it and dressing it out when you put it on the whip.

Mark, you're unknowingly helping me. I'm following your pictures! (https://palodurowhips.com/2017/07/05/square-start/)

I sort of get stuck when it's on my handle and I stumble over my own fingers and the strands follow suit. I have a hard time keeping track which strand is supposed to be on top, which is second and so on. (This is a great practise in keeping my frustration at bay.)

I have the beginning down now at least.


And I tried with four strands. Still mucho sloppy and I messed up the order of the strands.


Back to the drawing board.