More Whips of H.Rutherford

- Mark Elliott
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- Joined: Mon 11. Sep 2017, 20:28
- Location: Fritch, Texas US
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- Hayes Rutherford
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- Posts: 289
- Joined: Wed 5. May 2021, 12:47
I completed this a couple of days ago and it's been working pretty well. 12 p, single belly, 4tt core. Thong length is 68". A double strand of lead core line was wrapped in the tt spiral down the 2"0 tt core. Anchorseal on the core and belly before binding, then hot waxed after the 12p overlay. Birch handle with aluminum ferrule and Krylon gloss black. C&C always welcome.



- Mark Elliott
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- Joined: Mon 11. Sep 2017, 20:28
- Location: Fritch, Texas US
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Looks great! I've used the leaded line in the same way and liked how it turned out. What did you think of the waxing? You keep asking for us to critique your whips, but I can't find anything wrong with the one you sent me (it is a sweet little whip) and this one looks to be its equal.
"Always be on the lookout for the presence of wonder." -E. B. White

- Hayes Rutherford
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- Joined: Wed 5. May 2021, 12:47
Mark, this one is about 8" longer and I went 24" with the lead core. The hot wax ends up a bit harder than anchorseal and I got a bit of that weathered look by rolling after it was cooled off. I brushed anchorseal on both the core and belly before binding thinking the hot wax would not penetrate through. I would say the bubbles stopped much quicker doing this.
A couple of hours ago I brushed on some walnut colored Briwax then buffed it with a shoe polish brush. I'll try to take a picture tomorrow. Gave it a nice dull glow and feels super.
A couple of hours ago I brushed on some walnut colored Briwax then buffed it with a shoe polish brush. I'll try to take a picture tomorrow. Gave it a nice dull glow and feels super.

- Hayes Rutherford
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- Posts: 289
- Joined: Wed 5. May 2021, 12:47
I'm now the proud owner of a beautiful 8' cow whip by Mark Elliot. His way more experience making whips really shows. The balance of this trade was way tipped in his favor and I suspect thats just the kind of person he is. Solid ebony handle with perfect finish, and multiple plaiting patterns with beautiful accents. There is much I can learn having this in my hands.
My first experience cracking this whip was not pleasant. I quickly learned how different this is compared to my 4-5' toys. Then I calmed down and let the whip do its work. A few flicks and I found you almost can't stop it from cracking. Then came a nice slow overhead crack which can be quite loud and now working on a slow overhead figure 8. This is going to be a nice alternative to my light whips . Many thanks Mark, you really do some nice work.
My first experience cracking this whip was not pleasant. I quickly learned how different this is compared to my 4-5' toys. Then I calmed down and let the whip do its work. A few flicks and I found you almost can't stop it from cracking. Then came a nice slow overhead crack which can be quite loud and now working on a slow overhead figure 8. This is going to be a nice alternative to my light whips . Many thanks Mark, you really do some nice work.


- Robert Gage
- C Member
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- Joined: Fri 7. Feb 2014, 15:58
- Location: UK

- Mark Elliott
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- Posts: 4061
- Joined: Mon 11. Sep 2017, 20:28
- Location: Fritch, Texas US
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Thank you, Hayes. I disagree, I think I made a great trade. I have been having a blast with the whip and just because it is small does not make it a toy. It would be a very useful tool working cattle or sheep in a pen from horseback or afoot.
"Always be on the lookout for the presence of wonder." -E. B. White

- Hayes Rutherford
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- Posts: 289
- Joined: Wed 5. May 2021, 12:47
This is whip #12 for me. The core is 10 staggered strands of paracord with 4 staggered strands of lead core fishing line with a length of about 3'0". The 10p belly ended at approx. 4'-0", and the 16p overlay at 6' 10". The transition area was bound a bit more than what I'm learning a cow whip would receive and the 14-1/2" handle would have been fine at 12" but its fine as is.
The socket hole required was 13/16" so the ferrule had to be a bit larger than my previous builds. I ended up using a piece of 1" copper coupling but a piece of 1" copper pipe might have been fine and not as large in diameter. Hot wax and rattle can black satin paint.


The socket hole required was 13/16" so the ferrule had to be a bit larger than my previous builds. I ended up using a piece of 1" copper coupling but a piece of 1" copper pipe might have been fine and not as large in diameter. Hot wax and rattle can black satin paint.




- Robert Gage
- C Member
- Posts: 13850
- Joined: Fri 7. Feb 2014, 15:58
- Location: UK

- Hayes Rutherford
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- Posts: 289
- Joined: Wed 5. May 2021, 12:47

- Mark Elliott
- Member
- Posts: 4061
- Joined: Mon 11. Sep 2017, 20:28
- Location: Fritch, Texas US
- Contact:

- Hayes Rutherford
- Member
- Posts: 289
- Joined: Wed 5. May 2021, 12:47

- Mark Elliott
- Member
- Posts: 4061
- Joined: Mon 11. Sep 2017, 20:28
- Location: Fritch, Texas US
- Contact:


- Hayes Rutherford
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- Posts: 289
- Joined: Wed 5. May 2021, 12:47
I ended up leaving it since it was an experiment and not for sale. I'm wondering if this type of core with staggered un gutted paracord is more prone to twisting? After what seemed a long hot wax submersion for the bubbles to cease, I hung the thong vertically. It has loosened up considerably and cracks well but appears to have twist that didn't exist when first plaited. I'm guessing that using this type of core and a single belly is faster, but not as precise as when using two bellies. ??

Hayes, it might be as you suspect, but it also might be the cord reacting to the hot wax, if that's the way you waxed it.
All paracord are not created equal.
Polyester cord is prone to twisting more than nylon. Mix the two and you are going to see a very negative result.
Ron
All paracord are not created equal.
Polyester cord is prone to twisting more than nylon. Mix the two and you are going to see a very negative result.
Ron
It's ok if you disagree with me.
I can't force you to be right.
I can't force you to be right.

- Rachel McCollough
- Member of the Ring
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- Joined: Tue 21. Apr 2015, 11:37
- Location: South Mississippi, USA
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A single belly whip done tight and consistent over a solid core may not be quite as nice/articulate in movement as a two belly whip, but it can still be very predictable and reliable.
The issue with a less solid core (one that would allow pull) is that it can rotate due to an even slight difference in pull of tension in your plaiting.
By “less solid” I don’t mean “not mechanically sound,” I simply mean “less fixed in place.”
Even tightly bound, strands running a straight length will be more prone to possible rotation around the diameter than say if you’re plaiting around a twisted core.
A straight strand core is not bad, not wrong, just allows a different movement in the thong and less forgiving in unevenness in tension of the plaiting, where paracord is concerned, at least.
My plaiting tends to pull to the right (dominant hand) and I have to watch it on finer work or it will twist or “drift.”
Mistakes:
I have a set of whips (the 10’ and 6’ I’ve been working on forever) that I have re-plaited 3 times. Found mistakes in them and I must fix.
When my head is not in the right place fancy plait matching from whip to whip is difficult.
This is a beautiful whip. You should be very proud of it. You tried something new and maybe the core will be a type that works well for you in just another whip or two. Maybe you will look at it and try a larger Twisted taper core to plait over.
There is no hard right or wrong, the method you choose that works for you is right for you. I don’t BB load anything anymore due to the amount of work and the loss of connection in the feel of the whip. Things change and methods evolve and adapt according to your skills and experiences, tools and techniques.
Very nice looking whip. Also, I think the longer wax time is likely due to the openness or spaces between the individual fibers of the core/layers. Not saying you did not bind or plait tight, just the nature of fibers laying next to each other as opposed to being plaited or twisted inside.
It is not a bad way to make the inside, it is another useful set of skill and knowledge , but also will act differently than other cores.
My small .02$
The issue with a less solid core (one that would allow pull) is that it can rotate due to an even slight difference in pull of tension in your plaiting.
By “less solid” I don’t mean “not mechanically sound,” I simply mean “less fixed in place.”
Even tightly bound, strands running a straight length will be more prone to possible rotation around the diameter than say if you’re plaiting around a twisted core.
A straight strand core is not bad, not wrong, just allows a different movement in the thong and less forgiving in unevenness in tension of the plaiting, where paracord is concerned, at least.
My plaiting tends to pull to the right (dominant hand) and I have to watch it on finer work or it will twist or “drift.”
Mistakes:
I have a set of whips (the 10’ and 6’ I’ve been working on forever) that I have re-plaited 3 times. Found mistakes in them and I must fix.
When my head is not in the right place fancy plait matching from whip to whip is difficult.
This is a beautiful whip. You should be very proud of it. You tried something new and maybe the core will be a type that works well for you in just another whip or two. Maybe you will look at it and try a larger Twisted taper core to plait over.
There is no hard right or wrong, the method you choose that works for you is right for you. I don’t BB load anything anymore due to the amount of work and the loss of connection in the feel of the whip. Things change and methods evolve and adapt according to your skills and experiences, tools and techniques.
Very nice looking whip. Also, I think the longer wax time is likely due to the openness or spaces between the individual fibers of the core/layers. Not saying you did not bind or plait tight, just the nature of fibers laying next to each other as opposed to being plaited or twisted inside.
It is not a bad way to make the inside, it is another useful set of skill and knowledge , but also will act differently than other cores.
My small .02$
Inch by inch.

- Hayes Rutherford
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- Posts: 289
- Joined: Wed 5. May 2021, 12:47
