5 ft Stock Whip

[Jesse Bessette]

Mark, that is beautifully done, my friend. I love it.

[Jessie Edwards]

Excellent job, Mark. Way awesome

[Mark Elliott]

Thanks Rachel and Ron and Jesse!

I typed this all before and lost it, so if something similar shows up here or somewhere else, sorry.

Ron, I'd like to have a lathe (actually I have one but it hasn't been used in so long that it has rusted up completely, won't turn at all) but I'd probably hurt myself. I used the Rachel method-a rasp and some sandpaper. I had her stock whip beside me as a template the whole time, although mine has a slightly smaller diameter overall per the person I made it for. I feel a bit guilty because I copy so much from you guys here, but Y'all are the best and I want to make whips like you do. I wish I lived somewhere that had whipmakers, but they seem to be few and far between. Thank goodness for WB and YouTubers like Bernie (RIP) and Glen and a handful of others.

Of course I had to take her out, even though it was dark, and see what she had to say. She sang beautifully. I couldn't really see how she rolled out but she didn't seem to twist or fight me at all.

[Mark Elliott]

Thank you Jessie.

[Robert Gage]

Very well done, Mark! really splendid!

[Sir Roger Tuson]

You have some skills there, Mark. We all 'copy', mate, It's how we learn

[Jyri Haveri]

Marks really well done! It has this simple look to it witch pleases my eye. I hope to see how it works!

[Ben Varsek]

Fantastic work, Mark!

The handle looks very stylish and I realy like that you've made the keeper(s) of the handle the same way you've done the keeper(s) of the thong (with two different colors)!


All the best
Ben

[Roy Partin]

Mark, don't worry about utilizing somebody else's work. Think about how many Indy whips have been made since the first.
The handle, knots, and keepers are simply beautiful. The only nit picking I have are the few gaps late in the thong. Tighten those up and this is a masterpiece
Congrats

[Mark Elliott]

Thank you all for the kind words and encouragement.
Roy, I still struggle with strand drops, especially as the taper gets smaller.

[Rachel McCollough]

One thing that has helped me (I dislike dropping strands!!) Is when I'm down to a 2TT I know I can cover and drop with an 8-7, but I don't drop to a 6 until I reach the end of that twist. A 6 will cover 3 empty strands without gapping, but they must be very tightly plaited to keep from hinging there. Want to drop to a 5, cut out one or two of those inside strands... 5 will cover 2. 4 will very carefully cover two, easy cover one...

Now that's not the only or best way, but it has finally eliminated gapping for me.

[Mark Elliott]

Thank you Rachel, I'm pretty sure that dropping too soon is the problem and this will help.

[Jessie Edwards]

Dropping is just hard. I think I have tried every way and still, you can see where I drop. There is always a hiccup in the plait. To control hinging, you can, rather loosely, bind the hinge area with sinew. Hand tight. That helps. My problem area is when I drop to 1 strand. I now bind it tight at the core, and then if there is still a little trouble, I might hit it a little when I loose bind the belly strands. It's a learning curve that I am obviously still learning

[Brandon "Sparky" Lam]

Mark, I really love the handle knot you've done! It looks really nice and easy on there~
In terms of dropping, I do have to say I agree with most of what's said. What I find myself though is a 6 plait can easily fit on a 2 strand TT, but I guess different people have different plaiting methods. I often use the 6 plait to transition from a 1 strand to a 2 TT, and transition to an 8 plait at 3 or 4 strand TTs. But I plait pretty much exclusively backwards on my overlays, so it could be different.
I do like the look of this stockwhip though, how does it feel to crack?

[Mark Elliott]

Sparky, the keepers are a little stiff, but other than that it cracks pretty easily.
https://youtu.be/tEu-H-DpWUo

[Jyri Haveri]

Mark they will loosen up after while and probobly just right amount. Well done!

[Ron May]

Mark, you're improving.
The whip flows very nicely.

Ron.

[Robert Gage]

Mark, Ron is right! You are improving: this is nice and calm, with considerable economy of movement - and the whip does indeed flow well. Be pleased!

[Scott A. Cary]

Mark, there's nothing that I can add that hasn't already been said - well done!

[Ethan Mitchell]

Looks amazing Mark!!!