The "Making of" Gallery - Ben Varsek

[Ben Varsek]

An 8,3 foot Target Whip in silver grey and black:



The pattern in between the ringwork is identical but it is rotated for 90 degrees. The length of the handle is 39cm or 15,35 inches.

[Ben Varsek]

A current method for attaching the core to the handle foundation:

I grind a groove into the steel rod and use Kevlar thread for a small closed loop binding. After that, I'm applying a layer of epoxy glue on top of that. It might be a little overkill, but going the extra mile on a potential weak spot is worth the efford in my opinion.
On this picture you can still see the anthracite coloured Kevar below the epoxy glue to where the awl is pointing:

[Ben Varsek]

Using several layers of open loop binding makes it easier for me to control how the rigidity tapers. For this particular whip I did use 3 layers of open loop binding.

On the first layer, the further I'm going away from the handle, the larger the space in between the loops gets, which creates a tapered rigidity on it's own. Also, the closer I'm getting to the handle, the more power is beeing used during the process of binding:



Now comes the second layer. I want the third layer to end where the awl is pointing. Therefore I will consider this in terms of spacing in between the loops:



The third and final layer of closed loop binding will even out the spacing:




This concept can be applied to a lot more layers of open loop binding. Just keeping in mind of where all layers are ending and how to space them according to that.

On the Belly below, all the OL binding layers are ending right in the middle between those layers of this belly.

[Ben Varsek]

Ron, Robert, thank both of you very much !

[Rachel McCollough]

Ben, these are beautiful!!!

[Robert Gage]

Ben, that black and white whip is very fine - but white whips always make me a little nervous, since I can't believe they will stay white for very long! :P

[Ben Varsek]

Rachel, thank you very much!

[Ben Varsek]

Robert, yes dirt becomes a lot more visible on white whips than on any other colour, which requires cleaning them on a regular basis. A pure white tone can also get a yellowish stain over time, thats why I went for silver grey on this one.

[Ben Varsek]

An older build that I haven't posted so far:

A 16 plait 6,5 foot hidden handle bullwhip with 2 bellies in coyote brown and caffe late Paracord. I did use the flip and shake method on this one and the pattern on the handle is twisted by 90 degree from the middle point on.

[Ron May]

Very nicely done, Ben.
Was the shift in the handle planned?

Ron

[Ben Varsek]

Thanks Ron

Yes, the shift/90 degree rotation of the patten was planned. It's the same concept as on the black and silver grey target whip.
It probably won't be everybodys cup of tea, but I like it.