Whip Basics. The Forum

Here's my latest whip, a 50th Birthday present for a very good friend of mine.

It's a 5ft Bullwhip, 10.5" 8mm steel handle, part BB-loaded core, two bellies (4 and 8-plait) with inner strands as transition bindings and a 14-plait overlay in Coyote Brown with a single black tracer. 4-strand tip onto a 20" double thickness fall and nylon cracker.

Transition knot is a doubled 8B7L variant from the THCB and the heel knot is a tripled 5B6L.

I'm quite pleased with this one. Nice taper, straight seams and cracks with ease. Transition binding could be a fair bit stiffer but I'm still suffering ETape withdrawal at the moment.

Some pics...

That's a seriously nice birthday present!

That really is a great birthday present. Everything about it looks super even. Nice job!

Straight and neat. Good job, Roger!

You should try artificial sinew binding, it will be worth it. Paracord guts work too, but sinew lays flat and is easier to use. It's also useful with other things.


- Pokkis

The colors aren't what I would choose, but the overall braiding quality - especially the shot of that heel - is very good. The thong tapers down in a nice line. A question on the fall. Did you use the traditional connection or an english eye? It looks like a traditional connection, but I'm not sure.

Again - very good work, Rog. Thanks for the pictures.

Robby

Nice work.
Plaiting is nice and even, the seams look pretty straight from what I can see.
Someone's going to be very happy with their birthday present there I reckon.

Thanks all.

Pokkis, you're right, I'm struggling with the inner threads as binding material. I just can't seem to get the stiffness I require. I've ordered a 300ft roll of artificial sinew and will report back on results on my next whip (which is in progress but I will be stripping out what binding I've already done to replace with AS).

Robby, I agree about the colour. When I did my last cord order I wanted a tan colour but for some reason ended up getting what was described as 'Coyote Brown' which was more green than anything else. Still, colours aside, the manufacture was a good improvement which is the important thing for me at the moment. I'm not even attempting to sell anything right now as I'm not happy with my results. I just can't seem to get a nice thong 'roll out'. Still, each whip is better than the last (at least I think so!)

Oh, and I'm still using the traditional fall hitch. I've followed all the English Eye tutorials as well as plaiting from the tip upwards but yet to even attempt them <scared>!

Which kind of artificial sinew did you order? There are several kinds of, and they are pretty different. So if you don't like it, try another kind. The "natural" color I got from Tandy was Nylon, and resembled natural sinew quite a lot. It didn't end up being my favorite, I use the black one exclusively. It's PET and way more flat than the natural one, and it also makes really sharp sounding crackers

So, whichever you ordered, don't give up if it doesn't feel right. Just try another kind and find what works for you.

Don't be scared of plaiting backwards, just jump right in and try it out. It's not really that bad once you figure out how to add strands. I've found that trying different techniques while learning is a good idea, you can see everything new with the eyes of a beginner. Or at least that's how it works for me.


- Pokkis

[quote="Antti "Pokkis" Mäkinen"]Which kind of artificial sinew did you order? There are several kinds of, and they are pretty different. So if you don't like it, try another kind. The "natural" color I got from Tandy was Nylon, and resembled natural sinew quite a lot. It didn't end up being my favorite, I use the black one exclusively. It's PET and way more flat than the natural one, and it also makes really sharp sounding crackers

So, whichever you ordered, don't give up if it doesn't feel right. Just try another kind and find what works for you.[/quote]
Hmm,not sure about the type. It's this stuff:

http://www.theidentitystore.co.uk/produ ... bcatID=138

Pokkis wrote:Don't be scared of plaiting backwards, just jump right in and try it out. It's not really that bad once you figure out how to add strands. I've found that trying different techniques while learning is a good idea, you can see everything new with the eyes of a beginner. Or at least that's how it works for me.

Yah, you're right. I just need to jump in and have a go.

That sinew looks like it is a "rolled" or rounded type. I get the flat artificial sinew from Tandy Leather. It lies flat when I bind a whip and obviously is less bulky than the rounded type.

What did you use for a handle foundation, Roger? I recently made a similar whip with a 12" handle, but I used small mild steel for the handle foundation and with the weight of a 7 foot shot loaded thong it has a tendency to bend on certain cracks. My idea was to shorten the handle for added strength and to salvage the job. I haven't gotten around to that yet though.

BB loaded, not shot, excuse me :-)

Topher, the handle is a 10.5" 8mm steel bar. Don't know if it's 'mild' or otherwise but it's what I've been using for all my Bullwhips up to the longest (8'). Not had any bending issues yet but I only have four simple cracks in my repertoire.

8mm is a little bigger than what I had used. At least I think so.. I am currently at my office don't have it in front of me.

I was so bummed when that whip i made started bending. You do all this work so everything is perfect, AND THEN.... that happens, haha. Just thought I would ask.

Interesting you should say that as I've just taken possession of 10 x 10" 6mm round bar for my next set of Bullwhips. I've got a Snakewhip on the go that I need to finish before I can start with a new handle though.

I think that 6mm is a little closer to what bent on me, Roger. It might do it to you if the steel you are using is hardened.

Hmmm, I've just measured one of the bars and it looks like it's actually closer to 5mm than 6! I'll be starting on a new Bull very soon and will let you know what happens.

Very nice work Roger! Looking very tidy, I sure your friend will love it!
I'm curious, what did you use for a knot foundation?

Caleb Krug wrote:Very nice work Roger! Looking very tidy, I sure your friend will love it!
I'm curious, what did you use for a knot foundation?

Er, well, actually it's just E-Tape wound round and round to make a 'ball' shape. It's simple but works for me.

Ooooh, you want to be careful with electrical tape. It will work itself loose with use.
Remember the Heelknot is held in the hand when you crack the whip, and it gets worked back and forth quite a lot so after some use you may find the heel knot rocking back and forth like a loose tooth.

I sincerely hope it doesn't, ... but it is a concern.