What does Plait mean

Gobler · Post by **Gobler** » Thu Oct 02, 2003 4:59 am

I have been looking at the various whips and keep seeing "12 or 16 Plait" What exactly is or does a plait do? I know nothing about whips so please exuse the ignorence.

Cheers,
Jeff

Sergei · Post by **Sergei** » Thu Oct 02, 2003 11:03 am

Gobler wrote:I have been looking at the various whips and keep seeing "12 or 16 Plait" What exactly is or does a plait do? I know nothing about whips so please exuse the ignorence.

Cheers,
Jeff

Whips are commonly described by a number followed by the word plait or sometimes strand as well as the length of the whip. Plaiting is another word for braiding. Whips can be anything from 4 plait up to as high as 64 plait. Plait describes the number of strands plaited, or braided together to form the outermost layer of the whip. The outermost layer is called the thong of the whip. Whips made from whitehide, redhide and latigo are generally in the 4-12 plait range. Kangaroo hide whips are generally in the 8- 24 plait range but can be higher.

I hope this helps.

-Sergei

The_Edge · Post by **The_Edge** » Thu Oct 02, 2003 11:30 am

Yeah, plait is just the Aussie term for braid. It is pronounced "plat." Like bat or cat. Sergei covered everything else.

Paul_Stenhouse · Post by **Paul_Stenhouse** » Thu Oct 02, 2003 11:41 am

Dear Gobler,

According to the dictionary, plait comes from Middle English, or Middle French.
a braid of material (as hair or straw)

Since it's from the English, that's probably why the Aussies use it, since they kicked out many of their criminals and sent them to Australia, as it was a penal colony.

Best Regards,

Paul Stenhouse

Gobler · Post by **Gobler** » Thu Oct 02, 2003 2:48 pm

I see, and so a higher plait count means a better whip or is this a misconception? let's say I want a 8' bull Indy style, should I go for 12 or 16 plait? or does it really matter?

Cheers,
Jeff

Paul_Stenhouse · Post by **Paul_Stenhouse** » Thu Oct 02, 2003 3:30 pm

Dear Gobler,

I say go for the 12-plait as it's more screen accurate.

Best Regards,

Paul Stenhouse

Sergei · Post by **Sergei** » Thu Oct 02, 2003 4:08 pm

I agree with Paul and most whip crackers would agree. The 12 plait bull whip is much more durable. The 16 plait, although in theory would be more flexible and lively, more efficient transfer of kinetic energy, is a little bit more problematic in that the laces are narrower. Narrower laces just give it more of an opportunity to wear out. Like, Paul said, it's more screen accurate.

-S

Obi1kenny · Post by **Obi1kenny** » Thu Oct 09, 2003 9:53 am

Hey, what great info here. I am glad someone asked the same question I have been asking myself as I am looking into getting a good whip now.

Indiana Joe · Post by **Indiana Joe** » Fri Oct 10, 2003 6:14 am

Gobler wrote: I know nothing about whips so please exuse the ignorence.

Jeff, you may want to check these out too. Not necessarily about plaiting but general knowledge stuff.

http://www.indygear.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=339
http://www.indygear.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=606
http://www.indygear.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3244
http://www.indygear.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=630
http://www.indygear.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1644
http://www.indygear.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=548
http://www.indygear.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1084

I hope it helps. I just couldn't locate a picture/diagram Sergei had of the anatomy of a whip. Man, I think I shoulda been a librarian....

zohar · Post by **zohar** » Fri Oct 10, 2003 7:16 am

It's never too late, IJ.
www.libsci.sc.edu

SWTroopers · Post by **SWTroopers** » Fri Oct 10, 2003 6:04 pm

The_Edge wrote:Yeah, plait is just the Aussie term for braid. It is pronounced "plat." Like bat or cat. Sergei covered everything else.

There's something I didn't know. Always assumed it was pronounced like "plate." I learn something new everyday on this site!

Marc

Gobler · Post by **Gobler** » Fri Oct 10, 2003 6:52 pm

Thanks for the links Indy Joe. I shall read through them and learn.

Cheers,
Jeff

What does Plait mean

What does Plait mean

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