8 ft Snake
- Mark Elliott
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8 ft Snake
I started an 8 ft snake whip yesterday and since I had a few beers tonight (after I finished plaiting) it seems like a good idea to bore you all with the build. So far i'm really pleased with how it's going, the TT core is smoother than any other I've done. I've had a few problems with one strand wanting to wrap around the other unevenly. I really worked hard on keeping the tension even between the two this time and it has paid off. I just decided to refuse to accept any imperfections, no matter how many times I had to redo it. Of course, when I finally finished it, I found a few places had slipped by me, but a few whacks with a hammer seemed to get everything in line. I also really focused on trying to feather the ends of the binding, transitioning from a closed loop to an open in order to not have any hinges. One other thing I tried that I've never done before is instead of using BBs for mass, I threaded several strands of leaded fishing line into the gutted paracord strands that I used to make the TT core. We'll see how it turns out.
I used four strands of this line inside both of the paracord strands
and this is how the TT core turned out
Core bound
First belly on, starting the binding
First belly binding complete
Starting the second belly
That's as far as I got tonight. I think I want to use a piece of wood for the heel on this. The overlay will be solid black as well. I've got a piece of hickory, some Goncalo Alves, and some purple heart that I could use for the heel. Might even try to work in a brass or nickle ferrule as well. We'll see what the whip wants to do.
I used four strands of this line inside both of the paracord strands
and this is how the TT core turned out
Core bound
First belly on, starting the binding
First belly binding complete
Starting the second belly
That's as far as I got tonight. I think I want to use a piece of wood for the heel on this. The overlay will be solid black as well. I've got a piece of hickory, some Goncalo Alves, and some purple heart that I could use for the heel. Might even try to work in a brass or nickle ferrule as well. We'll see what the whip wants to do.
"Always be on the lookout for the presence of wonder." -E. B. White
- Mark Elliott
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Chris, I could explain it, but then I'd have to shoot you.
Actually, Rachel has a video that explains it much better than I ever could.
https://youtu.be/NoFvpAmaOgI
Actually, Rachel has a video that explains it much better than I ever could.
https://youtu.be/NoFvpAmaOgI
"Always be on the lookout for the presence of wonder." -E. B. White
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- Mark Elliott
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- Brandon "Sparky" Lam
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Although I keep records of every whip I've made and refer back all the time, I am a firm believer in letting each whip tell me how it needs to be made. Sometimes two whips of the same overall length will have slightly different drop points 'cos it just felt right to do it that way, that time. That's the lovely organic factor of whip-making.
- Mark Elliott
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Thanks Roy and Brandon and Sir Roger.
Brandon I have a 6 ft snake that has 2 bellies and weighs 412g (14.5 oz)with a BB load. This one is 2 feet longer and so the extra cord will add a bit of weight to it (about 15g or .5 oz.)The amount of lead line I put in this one weighed 27g (0.9 oz) and the bbs in the 6 footer were 32g (1.15 oz) the lead line is spread out over longer length than the bbs as well and I'm really curious about how this will affect the balance of the whip. I'm hoping that it will shift the balance point a bit toward the end of the whip. All in all the new whip shouldn't bee too much heavier than the 6 footer with the weight more spread out. Jeez, I sound dorky! The diamond plait is only there to give a bit more stiffness to the handle section.
Sir Roger, i didn't keep records until I joined this group, there was a lot of information lost on the first whips. I really regret that now that I'm getting serious about improving my skills.
Brandon I have a 6 ft snake that has 2 bellies and weighs 412g (14.5 oz)with a BB load. This one is 2 feet longer and so the extra cord will add a bit of weight to it (about 15g or .5 oz.)The amount of lead line I put in this one weighed 27g (0.9 oz) and the bbs in the 6 footer were 32g (1.15 oz) the lead line is spread out over longer length than the bbs as well and I'm really curious about how this will affect the balance of the whip. I'm hoping that it will shift the balance point a bit toward the end of the whip. All in all the new whip shouldn't bee too much heavier than the 6 footer with the weight more spread out. Jeez, I sound dorky! The diamond plait is only there to give a bit more stiffness to the handle section.
Sir Roger, i didn't keep records until I joined this group, there was a lot of information lost on the first whips. I really regret that now that I'm getting serious about improving my skills.
"Always be on the lookout for the presence of wonder." -E. B. White
- Brandon "Sparky" Lam
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Mark, you keep such amazing notes on your weighting!
I do have to ask, how long of lead lining did you use to get to 27g? :O
It's not dorky! I love talking to others about specifics~ It will be interesting to see how the whip goes with the new weight distribution!
I do have to ask, how long of lead lining did you use to get to 27g? :O
It's not dorky! I love talking to others about specifics~ It will be interesting to see how the whip goes with the new weight distribution!
Give a man a fire and he's warm for the day. But set fire to him and he's warm for the rest of his life.
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- Mark Elliott
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- Mark Elliott
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