My first stockwhip

[jeanfifi]

Hi folks ,

here is my very first stockwhip:
12 inch handle, 3ft thong. belly (4plait)and overlay(8plait) are kangaroo leather ( the core is cowhide and the bolster is kip leather)




Some pictures with my last bullhwip to compare




I think one major failure is the keepers are a bit too long. Also the taper of the thong at the very beginning is maybe too fast, comparing to professionnal stockwhips. And also the thong is too thick comparing to the handle....
I am very happy I have much improved my cutting free hands with my thumb. It's not prefect of course, but it's better all the time.
Same thing with skiving.

Incredible but it cracks!!!

JP

[IndianaBravo]

Very nice work on both of those!

[Marhala]

Hi Jean! I think the taper on your stockwhip looks fine to me.

May I give a little recommendation on handles? Here it is :

When making a stockwhip, I usually make the thong first, and after finishing it (that is attaching fall, cracker and rolling it) I measure the largest diameter on it, and that's the same diameter I use for the end of the crop. Also, the shorter the thong gets, the longer the handle should be, and viceversa longer thong, shorter, heavier handle. We may be talking about 24" for that thong you made.

Did you use fiberglass? I use rattan cane, which can be easily shaped and tapered. I think it is even cheaper than fiberglass and very strong, and flexes a bit.

And please, take my advice with a grain of salt, since I'm starting with whipmaking too. Although that's what has worked for me so far, and thought it may help. Bullwhips and stockwhips are very different types of the same thing.

Aldo.

[jeanfifi]

Hi Aldo,

Thank you so much for your advices. I am always very happy to be corrected-or guided if you prefer
It's very kind of you to give me some of your experience and tricks. I appreciate!

-Now I know how I could build the handle's shape, great!!
-24" for the handle on that 3ft thong, all right.Thanks again:
For that handle I've used a 12"steel spike on which I build the taper with some leather (as it is described in Ron EDward's Book: "how to make whips"). It's hard to find fiberglass ot tohiti cane around here, and probably even more difficult to cut the cane and to put some steel pipe in it.....
That's why your rattan can is very welcome!!! Where do you find it please? That's very very interesting!!!

Many thanks again to you and to Indianabravo for his kind words

JP

[Marhala]

Jean,

The handle may be around 22"-24". Perhaps 24" is a bit long for me. But it is better to have a longer handle on shorter thongs, for leverage.

12" steel spike!!! Wow, that must weight a ton. Seriously, if you want to make the whips with a spike, then the trick would be to make a thicker thong, or longer, and that's it. Then, it would be called "Australo-American whip", as David Morgan says. And I think you did a superb job with that spike, since it is extremely well shaped!!!

(I forgot to mention that the seams in that two-tone bullwhip are just perfect. Straight all the way, and the strands are very even too. And that I liked the kind of knot you put in your stockwhip).

Rattan cane is the one used for making some types of cane furniture. It is usually sold without the bark, so it is very round and smooth, and is sold in various diameters. It is very easy to work with. You can straighten it very easily and taper it, either with sandpaper or a plane. I haven't tried to make a steel lined crop, but I'm sure it may work.

I can't tell where you can find it in France. I live in Mexico and here and there are some shops which sell leather, woodworking tools and materials, and cane furniture supplies. Perhaps you should ask and look around.

All the best,

Aldo.

[jeanfifi]

Aldo,

the spike is not so heavy LOL
But I understand precisely what you mean I think. Thank you for those precisions. it's very important and I will try to find what kind of material I can find easily to build my handles, and, maybe, as you say, rattan. No leather shops around here unfortunatelly, but I will look around......

thanks for the kind words on my last two tone work. Two tones whips are really big job........many re-plaiting and re-cutting and re-skiving strands.... during plaiting! But what a lesson!

JP

[Marhala]

Thanks Jean. Hope it helps!

I forgot to tell you you can try plain pinewood for the handle. It will be stiffer, and as Edwards said, if you fall from a horse, you can pierce yourself badly.

All the best,

Aldo.

[jeanfifi]

Thanks Jean. Hope it helps!

I forgot to tell you you can try plain pinewood for the handle. It will be stiffer, and as Edwards said, if you fall from a horse, you can pierce yourself badly.

All the best,

Aldo.

Sure it helps Aldo! Thank you!

Now I am a little surprised by plain pinewood... , Stiffer you really think? I was always convinced that kind of wood was a weaker wood.
It reminds me when I was younger I was -just as many young men are-interested in breaking boards or that kind of things like martial artists! And pinewood was the first material to use, as it was easy to break it. But, It's maybe a wrong memory!

Right now one friend of mine told me maybe to try a plant tutor:it's made of bamboo (which I don't like as there will be some bumps on it) or cane. I'll have a look and let you know. There is also rattan I don't forget it, I shall make some trials !!

As horses, I don't ride horses
Thank you again for your help

so long

JP