Whip Basics. The Forum

I started my potential donation whip today (assuming it comes out the way I want) My plan is a 5-6ft stock whip. I gave a range in case I want to modify it slightly as I plait the overlay and how I want it to feel. The core is a single 3' piece of 750 paracord with 18 inches of shot load. The shot is anodized steel so it will never have any rust problems in its life. The first belly, and also the first keeper layer is a 10 plait that tapers down into the 750 strand to about 36 inches. The overlay will be the green and tan strands together and also 12 plait with a second keeper loop layer on the end. I expect the wax to darken the colors up to very dark, rich earth tones. The handle will be a turned 18 inch naked mahogany handle that tapers from the handle to the thong, and have a Spanish ring inlay (maybe). This is all the theory anyway :

Good start Collin.

Ron

Very nice job Jyri, I'm looking forward to the result.

Sven

Not that I'm nitpicking, but I am a metal worker by trade, and you can't anodise steel (or rather, anodised steel is steel with a coating of rust, as anodising is simply the act of creating an oxidised layer of metal, and oxidised steel is rust). It is more likely they are electroplated, probably zinc.

Other then that, looking good, carry on :p

Andrew, you peaked my curiosity. Here's the link to the exact product I use and how they market it. You'll have to tell me what you think

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/11656 ... 77-caliber

Hmmmm, interesting, you learn something new every day. I had to ask a friend of mine about this and he pondered for a little before suggesting it is probably black oxide. Apparently with the right combination of chemicals, heat and electricity you can get black oxide (magnetite, Fe3O4), instead of red oxide (rust, Fe2O3). You can do it to stainless steels in the 300/400 series, iron, mild low-carbon steel, copper, zinc...

Very cool. I have a buddy who's a chemist specializing in heavy metals and I didn't even think to ask him.

Here is the thong, which just needs wax. It is a 5ft 12 plait with 2 keeper loops tapering down to a twisted taper point. I've been changing up how I do falls as you might notice, and put the loop on the cracker end for easy changes, and use a "cheater" blood knot between the fall and the point, kind of similar to the way Roy does his but not quite. It is easy to do maintenance on, but sturdy and doesn't add a ton of bulk. I made the fall a little longer at 22 inches, more than I would have for myself with this small of a taper, but the recipient can trim some off if they'd like for the desired handling characteristics. Next will be the handle

Looking good Collin. I read the diamond plait was giving you problems, but by the looks of it you got it sorted out very well. I look forward to seeing what you do for the handle.

Thanks Nathan. I had an epiphany one day and it clicked, especially transitioning from the flat braid to plaiting

nice!

Collin, I like it!

Collin, that looks really great.

That looks great Collin!
I'm still fighting my keepers.

Collin, that looks very good to me - a further encouragement for punters to buy tickets!

I like it!!! Looking good!!!

Mr. Robert, "punters" ?

Ron

Ron, 'punters' are people making bets or buying raffle tickets - anyone 'having a go' in a game of chance.

Thanks for the definition Mr. Robert.

Ron

Collin that looks great!


I still have to do knots and handle plaiting. I'm not overly happy about how it looks but it handles pretty well even thst i havent waxed it yet. There is some binding sticking out where i attached the keepers.

https://youtu.be/_-6oXwGV6g0