Whip Basics. The Forum

Hi Y'all,
Just joined the WB forums today and have been posting in the guestbook and the roll call some, and have been poking around trying to see what's what here. So far it's been a very positive experience. Thank you all. So, now for the nitty gritty. I made my first whip way back in February of this year. It was a snake whip, about a meter long and I evidently tried to do everything wrong and was quite successful at it (even used electrical tape!) Have since learned better. Any and all comments, tips, critiques (as long as you can tell me how to improve) are more than welcome.
First one

a few whips later, number 5, a six foot bullwhip I made for my friend 2 bellies a weighted core. First attempt at fancy plaiting on the handle.

number 7, another 6 footer. 3 bellies, a shot loaded core, weighted fall, and an english eye fall hitch that I copied from Bernie Wojcicki's signal whip video. I had two shades of black that I used for the overlay. I later went back and added a carapace to it because I didn't strengthen the transition enough to suit me The english eye

a stock whip. one of my favorite whips to crack, thong has a shot loaded core, one belly. the keeper on both the thong and the handle were made made the same. a 6 strand flat weave was doubled over to make a 12 strand belly then a 8 strand doubled edged flat weave (ABoK 2996) was folded over into a 16 strand overlay for the handle and the thong.

number 12, a six foot bullwhip. This one has no shot in the core and is a 2 belly whip. this is actually the first whip I tried to do a carapace on The Blake Style, according to Robbie) and it worked out pretty well. I saw this on some of Tyler Blake's whips and l few days later read about a square start in Ron Edward's book and decided to give it a try. It's a very light and quick whip.

latest efforts, a 6 footer number 14 a birthday present for my son. 3 bellies, shot loaded core.
and an 8 footer number 15, a birthday present for my son-in-law. 2 bellies, shot loaded core, and a carapace.
this whip also has an english eye fall hitch.

Really well done Mark! Your knots are awesome! What knot is it in n:15?

Mark, your whips are looking awesome! I love the look of the handle on No 5~

Wow Mark, that is impressive work for just starting out. Your knots are nice and tidy. I like the looks of that stock whip

Good grief! You've done all this since February? Amazing knotwork, great choice of colours and lovely detailing. You're going to fit right in here!

Mark, my complients to your work!
Your pictures show a very fast progression - very impressive!

All the best
Ben

Wow, they're fantastic! That last one's absolutely brilliant, especially the combination of colours

Nicely done Mark.
They will only get better.

Ron

Very nice work! You're a go-getter, awesome!!

Jyri Haveri wrote:What knot is it in n:15?

Thank you. The heel knot is a 3 pass 7x6 Turk's head.

[quote="Brandon "Sparky" Lam"] I love the look of the handle on No 5~[/quote]

Thank you. This came from Ron Edward's book on making whips.

Roy Partin wrote: I like the looks of that stock whip

Thank you. It's a fun one to play with. BTW, I still haven't worked up the nerve to start cutting on those roo hides I bought from you a few weeks ago.

Ah!!! Yes!!! More leather!!!

Only way to learn is just start doing it. Mistakes will happen but that's how we get better. Good luck and thanks again

Sir Roger Tuson wrote:Good grief! You've done all this since February? Amazing knotwork, great choice of colours and lovely detailing. You're going to fit right in here!

Thanks, yes since February. My job requires only 2 days a week so I have lots of free time and I don't care much for TV, so I spend my evenings at home working on my hobbies. I also tend to get a bit obsessive when I learn something new. guess that's why I have 5 kids.

Thanks, It's amazing how much information there is on the net. You can find someone willing to teach you how to do something on just about any subject

Matt Henderson wrote: especially the combination of colours

Thanks, I didn't actually chose the colors, My son-in-law picked them. The pictures were before waxing and the colors darkened a little, which I thought made it look even better. Didn't get any photos of the whip after waxing for some reason.

Mark Elliott wrote: I also tend to get a bit obsessive when I learn something new. guess that's why I have 5 kids.

Yep you fit right in.

Obsessiveness is a trademark of a good whip maker

Mark - I think all of your whips look very good. You quickly solved your gap issues in your heel knots, which I still can't fix after 30+ whips.