Stockwhip Construction

[Devin Bauer]

I'm going to attempt a Nylon stockwhip, I was wondering what a typical handle length is,(I'm using a 1/2 aluminum tube) and are the nylon variety of stockwhips typically 1 belly and an overlay?

[Camilo Lopez]

Handles typically go from 14in to 18in with 18in being the most common. If you feel that an 18in handle out of aluminum will be too heavy then it is ok to go a little shorter.

As for the thong, if you are using paracord then yes, 1 belly and overlay is what you want to keep the whip light. If you are using another synthetic material such as Dacron, then you would want two bellies since Dacron is much lighter than paracord.

[Jeremy McEachern]

Handles are actually most common around 18-21 inches. The only time people tend to go lower is on really short stockwhips. Anything around 4ft and up though an 18-21" handle is what you're wanting. I make my half plait handles around 18-19 and full plait 20-21.

Yes. 1 belly, probably 8 plait, ending in 4, with a 12 plait overlay ending in 4.

[Devin Bauer]

Thanks guys! What about the swell portion of the thong?

[Jeff Roseborough]

I make handles about 21-22 inches. Check this video by Bernie on making a stockwhip handle: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Okm3LqohhDU

[Jeremy McEachern]

Here's what I've been told about the swell. There's two bask options that most people choose from. The first is to have the thong start off white small and have the swell to for about 9 inches. The second is to had the thing start off only slightly smaller than its thickest area, and have the swell to 4-6 inches. I've tried the 9" one a couple times so now I'm going to try the 4-6 ". From the whip makers poin of view, especially with leather, the 4-6" subtle swell is more desirable because you won't have to deal with tapering the strands backwards for the first bit of lace, you can jus cut them straight and adjust the angle of the plaiting as needed.