I little help on whip making...

[Ghost]

I used cow as I am waiting for some kangaroo to get here (found it for
a great price 20$ a hide). I made a SMALL core and plated over this in
a 4 plat for the belly and then an 8 over dropped to 4 for a tapper on
the end.

First I just cut each strand separate no attachment at the bottom, I
used leather string to tie them together at the start. I did this
because the hide I had was scrap so getting 4 or 8 strands in a single
piece was imposable. I figure I can put a pineapple over the starting
point. Do you cut each lace separate or all together? Is together the best way to do it?

Second...I used a scrap of red hide for my core. I started it out at
about 3/4 of an inch and tapered it out over 4 foot (yes it's a 4 foot
whip had to start somewhere) I very poorly twisted /rolled it to get
it round. it worked but you have any tips on this?
What do you use for your core?

I truly didn't see a difference in a stock whip and a bull whip in the
making of learning to plat sooo to start with so I did a bull whip. I
used a "bridge spike" for the handle I ground out an inch groove on
the end joint where the handle joins the main whip body, covered it
with scrap rawhide and tied it so it was a smooth transition. what do
you or other whip makers use for a handle? I of course am referring to
an Indy whip.


What did you use for "dressing" or braiding? I used stuff from "Tandy"
just leather dressing but man that stuff was not cheep! It helped
things get a lot tighter and as it dried it of course got even better
but there has got to be something else....with a better price tag and
larger amount, I saw that in the books they use fat? Any other Ideas for this?

Where do you get "shellac" (sp?) to cover the whip?

[Mola Ram]

I cut them sepratley,
but thats just my prefrence.
just cut them which ever way you feel most comfortable.

for plaiting soap, i just use crisco/water/soap thats 2cup water/2crisco/2bars, that makes a pretty good batch. Its good to expirement to find which consistancy you like best.

Shellac can be bought at home depot, or lowes or some simillar store allredy separated. Some people wipe it on, I paint it on, and others spray it on. Its almost pointless on cowhide.

So, just test things out and find what you like.
And always ask if you need help with something,
theres tons of whipmakers on the board, and someone will
always give you a response.
Good luck.
Adam