I finally tied the knot!

[Ravenswood]

Well I did it! It took me four tries to get it just right, but after courting the possibility of a lasting relationship with my eight-point Indy-whip, I decided to make an honest Indy out of myself
Thanks to y'alls advice, pointers and encouregment, I took the plunge and got to work. I re-attached my fall after absorbing the video that Bernie suggested, and also checking out David Morgan's website with the pictorial on the subject. I ended up using Mr. Morgan's technique.
I can certainly see now the benefit in not using any core strands to bolster the hitch loops. It definitely makes for a trimmer fall hitch, which probably cuts through the air a little more accurately, but I decided to go whole hog and include all three core strands in on the process. After laying them flat against the fall, I was ready to discover the wonders of the hitch loop.
Of course I don't have pictures but if I can get a hold of one of my photographer friends, I may post some before this subject gets too old.

I gotta thank you guys for your support and understanding, especially Adam Winrich for such a gracious offer in volunteering to do the deed for me, gratis. This speaks volumes of the great crowd I fell in with. I was just about to go for the offer, but in the end I just couldn't help myself, or actually, I guess I could!

Since I can't post pictures yet, just check out the Morgan model. I made it look just like that (but with eight strands). AWWYEAH!!

Thanks again,
Steve

[whiskyman]

Well done. I think being able to tie on a new fall is a vital skill for any whipcracker. I bet Indy would've know how to do it!

[Michaelson]

Man, these subject titles need some work, folks.

I thought wedding congratulations were in order.

Regards! Michaelson

[agent5]

Yeah, I was gunna ask you what the hellll you were doing but then read your post and congratulations are in order.

[BullWhipBorton]

Yeah Steve, I though you where going to say you got married . Well in any case glad you were able to tie the hitches and re attached the fall with out too much trouble.

Just as an FYI though, The reason you don’t want to include the core strands as part of the hitch knot is that as the whip rolls out, it pulls and stretches when it cracks, Since the core strands only rely on there own strength, not the combined strength of the plaiting. The pulling can change the tension in them and possibly snap one of them which can cause "kinking" and other weird things to happen in the last couple feet of the whip.

Dan

[Ravenswood]

I'm not averse to starting over without the core strands, then. There could be drawbacks to both methods, but now that I know the risk of the kinking and so forth, I can see why having just the plaits only at the hitch would be more beneficial to my whip.
I've only cracked it a couple of times with the core strands running through the hitch loops. It gives the whip a slightly less balanced feel. It makes the crack sound different as well. More of a slapping noise than a popping sound.
Is running the core strands through the hitch loops common practice? I'm doing it again anyways based on Dan's advice. I think it's probably the best thing for my whip. Does anyone else use the core strands in replacing the fall?

[winrichwhips]

Hey Steve,

When I talked with the maker of your whip he told me that now he always runs the core strands through the fall hitch. You really need that extra support right before the fall hitches, especially on a bullwhip.

Thinking about Dan's idea, I'd say that the plaiting actually grabs the core, so that core and the braided strands stretch about the same amount.

On the whip I got from Chris Barr, you can see that he actually runs a core strand AND a bolster all the way through the fall hitch.

If your whip is making a slapping noise, it could be how you tied the fall hitch. The fall might be grabbing on the fall hitches as it goes past. My offer still stands on re-tying the end of your whip. I could be sure to tie the fall hitches so the fall doesn't grab them on it's way past.

Regards,

Adam

[Ravenswood]

You da Man, Adam!

Actually, the slapping noise was more of a descriptive term for the kind of crack it's making now. It's making a slightly bigger noise as it cracks; less of a concise pop and more of a WHACK!!!
I appreciate any and all advice regarding the fall re-attachment. Especially when going on the words of the actual maker! It may seem like I'm waffling, but now I think I'll hold off on re-re-doing the hitch.

Thanks for all your advice, fellas... I'll hang up and listen......

[BullWhipBorton]

Steve, Running the core strands through the fall hitches is fine, I do the same thing.

I misunderstood you when you said you included the core strands as part of the fall hitch. I got the impression that you where using both the plaited strands and core strands to tie the hitch knots around the fall. That’s what I was talking about and that is whats consider bad plaiting technique. It’s a tip I got from Mike Murphy and it’s mentioned in his maintenance and repair video too. Sorry if I caused you any grief or confusion and thank you Adam for helping to clear that up.

Dan

[Ravenswood]

Not at all, Dan! I know a simple picture can clear a lot of things up as well. I wish you guys could see the job I did. As soon as I get some photographic evidence out, we may be sharing more insights that would surely be valued by all here at COW. I'm enjoying!

Steve