Bullwhip Core Materials

Dr.Seuss · Post by **Dr.Seuss** » Wed Nov 14, 2007 9:11 am

Searched, high and low, but not finding much. What are the thoughts on using aircraft cable, or ball chain as a core?

Too heavy? Inflexible? Takes a set/kink? Etc.

Sincerely,

whiskyman · Post by **whiskyman** » Wed Nov 14, 2007 9:22 am

Well, the core should be tapered as this will affect the taper of the whip. The taper is important if you want the whip to perform well. Of course if you just want it for swinging on... well I have no idea.

rebelgtp · Post by **rebelgtp** » Thu Nov 15, 2007 11:40 am

it has been done by our own adam winrich and i own the whip

viewtopic.php?t=16343&highlight=steel+cable+whip

its a 12 foot beast of a whip.

i'm actually currently making an 8 foot 16 plait paracord whip with an aircraft cable core.

Dr.Seuss · Post by **Dr.Seuss** » Thu Nov 15, 2007 11:23 pm

Rebel:

The cable/ball chain core, for a nylon/paracord whip is exactly the application I was considering. Not for "swinging," but to provide weight/mass.

Sincerely,

rebelgtp · Post by **rebelgtp** » Thu Nov 15, 2007 11:58 pm

Dr.Seuss wrote:Rebel:

The cable/ball chain core, for a nylon/paracord whip is exactly the application I was considering. Not for "swinging," but to provide weight/mass.

Sincerely,

yeah so far its working great for that. i'll post some pics of the whip when i'm done. its not exactly indy style but its inspired by indy and i have been watching the movies while making it

.

basically i used an 1/8 inch 500lb test aircraft cable for the core. its nice and flexible ads a bit of weight but not to much. i get the stuff in bulk at the hardware store out here. funny thing is first time i tried to cut it was with bolt cutters boy was that a mistake. cut maybe 3 or 4 strands and bent the rest. ended up wrapping the spot i wanted to cut in tape then cut it with the cutting disk on my dremmel, worked perfect.

i'm going to start another whip as soon as i finish this one up (this weekend more than likely), if you want i can take some pics of how i have the core setup.

Dr.Seuss · Post by **Dr.Seuss** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 12:53 am

rebelgtp wrote:* * * i'm going to start another whip as soon as i finish this one up (this weekend more than likely), if you want i can take some pics of how i have the core setup.

Pictures would be truly appreciated. I have been wanting to try my hand at a paracord/nylon whip and wondered about cable or ball chain, in lieu of a shot bag.

Sincerely,

cooncatbob · Post by **cooncatbob** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 5:21 pm

I just got Ron Edward book and figure I'd practice learning to plait with para cord before I try leather.
Bob.

rebelgtp · Post by **rebelgtp** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 5:34 pm

cooncatbob wrote:I just got Ron Edward book and figure I'd practice learning to plait with para cord before I try leather.
Bob.

exactly what i'm doing

. also i figured i live in a place where it rains alot so it will be good to have a whip i don't care about getting wet

Dr.Seuss · Post by **Dr.Seuss** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 8:07 pm

Any thoughts regarding Robert Duke's book on whip making?

Sincerely,

rebelgtp · Post by **rebelgtp** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 8:35 pm

i haven't read his book yet but always looking for new info so i may just have to pick it up

Dr.Seuss · Post by **Dr.Seuss** » Sat Nov 17, 2007 9:00 pm

Sent him an E-mail, about the book, but have not heard anything yet.

Sincerely,

rebelgtp · Post by **rebelgtp** » Sun Nov 18, 2007 3:53 pm

it will be a few more days before i'll have pics of the new whip start. i didn't get a chance to work on the first one at all this weekend. so it may not be until next week or so with thanksgivings day coming up and all.

Dr.Seuss · Post by **Dr.Seuss** » Sun Nov 18, 2007 8:01 pm

Very interested to see the project.

Sincerely,

Robert Duke · Post by **Robert Duke** » Tue Nov 20, 2007 8:39 am

I'm against having a cable core unless its for a prop. To me, it wouldn't crack like a whip. I want my bellies to be all leather, and flow out naturally. It seems cable would have too much life. Just as paracord does too. You can't do a decent wrap with a paracord. If you just want to crackin wet conditions and are around a lot of gravel, sand, concrete and asphalt and not better conditions, then paracord is good. However I am a performer too and leather, preferably kangaroo is my choice.

Cheers,
Robert

rebelgtp · Post by **rebelgtp** » Tue Nov 20, 2007 11:38 am

Robert I agree with you completely, I would much rather have kangaroo lace its just that for practicing to make a whip paracord is a lot cheaper option for me. plus i wanted something I could practice with over the winter and not have to worry about it getting wet (already have a couple inches of snow outside).

oh and I know exactly what you mean by a cable core whip having "life" the one I have from Adam is a beast and it cracks like a canon, however yeah its hard getting a good wrap but it is possible. the cable I'm using in my whip is smaller then that one however it does have the same strength and so far seems more flexible.

Dr.Seuss · Post by **Dr.Seuss** » Tue Nov 20, 2007 2:14 pm

Robert:

What is the best way to contact you about purchasing your book, and questions about a "longer" bullwhip kit?

Thanks for your time.

Sincerely,

Robert Duke · Post by **Robert Duke** » Tue Nov 20, 2007 2:17 pm

just got back from a week in Nashville and trying to settle the dust.

Have you got Ron Edwards book on whipmaking? Anyone considering making a whip should purchase that book. However it does not go into bullwhips very well. Still, I consider it a bible of whipmaking unlike any other.

Dr.Seuss · Post by **Dr.Seuss** » Tue Nov 20, 2007 2:53 pm

Robert:

I do not have the book. So, Ron Edwards is a "must" for the list. I understood your book/guide, was specific to the bullwhip?

Sincerely,

Robert Duke · Post by **Robert Duke** » Tue Nov 20, 2007 7:39 pm

I wanted to leave a lot of the specifics to Ron Edwards who really goes into the plaiting well and also some of the turkshead making. I do not get into that technical but focus on the bullwhip assembly more than actual plaiting technique and how to tie a turkshead knot. Read the "bible" on whipmaking by Ron Edwards. Its superb.

Robert

Puppetboy · Post by **Puppetboy** » Tue Nov 20, 2007 10:05 pm

I have tried cable in the core, and it doesn't crack at all. It snaps right back at you. The metal does not stretch, and so the energy reaches the end and is bounced back somehow. Leather has a rubbery stretch to it that lets the energy pass out of the end of the whip. That's my un-scientific analysis...

Anyway, you might want to finish your project just to learn, but in my experience it's not a good core.

rebelgtp · Post by **rebelgtp** » Tue Nov 20, 2007 10:21 pm

Puppetboy wrote:I have tried cable in the core, and it doesn't crack at all. It snaps right back at you. The metal does not stretch, and so the energy reaches the end and is bounced back somehow. Leather has a rubbery stretch to it that lets the energy pass out of the end of the whip. That's my un-scientific analysis...

Anyway, you might want to finish your project just to learn, but in my experience it's not a good core.

i actually already have a whip made with a steel cable core like i said earlier it cracks like a canon going off. the new whip has a lighter steel cable (however just as strong) and much more flexible. i have no doubts at all that this whip will crack when completed. wrapping on small objects will more than likely not work well as the added stiffness will cause issues with that. the whip will have more "life" to it as Robert stated but that can be controlled.

Dr.Seuss · Post by **Dr.Seuss** » Wed Nov 21, 2007 8:53 am

Never thought it would happen, but I believe the, "making a bullwhip bug," is starting to bite.

Rebel:

What information sources/books/guides, did you use?

Sincerely,

rebelgtp · Post by **rebelgtp** » Wed Nov 21, 2007 10:49 am

Dr Seuss

Well the main book that I used was the Ron Edwards book. I also had the David Morgan braiding book for some reference. Other than that its just been trial and error. Don't be afraid to undo some of the work you do and redo it if it isn't looking quite right. Oh and be prepared to have your hands and fingers sore from pulling laces

Dr.Seuss · Post by **Dr.Seuss** » Wed Nov 21, 2007 4:51 pm

But, hide or paracord? I somewhat "fancy" the nylon for the "all weather" capabilities.

Sincerely,

rebelgtp · Post by **rebelgtp** » Wed Nov 21, 2007 5:04 pm

well this is my first whip i'm making and it is paracord for the lesser cost of making from paracord also it will be good to make a few "all weather" whips since i live in oregon and you know we get our fair share of rain.

making these paracord whips is giving me really good practice on the plaiting for the whips, how to drop strands and all of that. also considering i was making it from paracord i wasn't so tied to making it an "indy" whip, it has a little bit of my own style in it.

The_Edge · Post by **The_Edge** » Wed Nov 21, 2007 5:27 pm

If you want to practice braiding then by all means use paracord. But if you want to truly craft a whip then leather is the only way to go.

Dr.Seuss · Post by **Dr.Seuss** » Thu Nov 22, 2007 10:45 am

Edge:

Happened to walk into a "Tandy Leather" store. The "Guy" kept repeating your very comment.

Sincerely,