5' 16/14 Plait Bullwhip

[Ethan Mitchell]

Hey Guys!
I finally finished my bullwhip. It has been in the works for about two months now. I worked on it whenever I had a chance between school and work. Anyway here it is:






This is before wax. I still have to do that. This whip has is one big experiment. I tried out lots of new ideas and techniques.
Here is all the new stuff I tried:
- 8" handle
- stopping the belly at the end of the BB load and doing a TT with the belly strands.
- short herringbone on handle
- concho
- using a PVC cap as knot foundation(not the best way to build a foundation).
- double drops
- TT fall with EE for cracker (the tapered cracker in one of the spares Rachel sent with the stockwhip. I'll have to try making those...)

The thong was a little small for 16 plait (this whip is only a single bellied whip) so I went down to 14 with in and 1.5" from the transition knot.

Bit of gapping when going for 14 to 12.

Gapping going from 10 to 8.

End of BB load.

[Ethan Mitchell]

Here is the link to the entire album of photos: https://imgur.com/a/XcxsyfR

[Mark Elliott]

I like the color, Ethan. I think if you had held off on the drop from 16 to 14 the gaping problem would have been solved. Good job on the short herringbone, It's one of my favorite plaits. And of course, the knots are excellent.

[Ethan Mitchell]

Mark it is gold cord. I wanted chocolate but Roy was out of that. So went with gold accented with coyote brown. I am hoping the wax will darken it some. Like your stockwhip.

[Ron May]

I think Mark is right about delaying the drop a little.
It's good to have a mathematical "drop plan" but let the whip tell you when to drop .
If it starts to get a little crowded then that's when you drop.
The thong will never lie to you, just trust it.
Still a good job with all the changes you made. A great learning project.

Ron

[Herbert Tardy]

Nice job!

[Jyri Haveri]

Well done Ethan!

[Robert Gage]

Ethan, I'd guess making this whip has taught you a lot - and that you next will be even better! Well done - and thanks very much for the careful documentation!