Club Obi Wan

I’m new here and would really like to say hello to everyone. I’ve been reading the forums for a bit now and finally decided to get off my duff and register an account.

Basically this hobby (whips/whipcraft) is something I’ve always been interested in but never really did anything with over the years. Well, that is until I caught the new Indiana Jones movie, which prompted a serious discussion with a good friend about making a whip (if only he knew how far it would go). One thing lead to another, as is usually the case with new ventures, and soon I had accumulated some of the top books on the subject and was reading everything I could online about the craft.

My initial efforts were very, I suppose amateurish would be the correct term. But I stuck with it and am finally feeling like I’m on the right track. I’ve got some whips under my belt which I think are good enough to showcase and get some feedback. They are shot loaded (three BB filled cords) nylon whips with galvanized spikes as handle foundations. Each has at least one belly (the white one has two) and is bolstered and bound using both sinew, waxed thread, spectra line (I’m experimenting with it and very pleased so far) electrical tape and friction tape, which also is something I’m experimenting with to good results. The brown whips are made from 550 coyote-tan paracord and the white one is made from the Walmart “camping” variety. The crackers are standard nylon.

Well, with all of that said, here are some pictures. Oh, they crack like dreams. I can get all of the popular cracks out of them with very minor effort.

Twelve-Plait seven foot Indiana style with eighteen inch reinforced fall. Coyote-tan


Another angle – click link for full size image.


http://i534.photobucket.com/albums/ee34 ... /whip2.jpg

This is the previous whip alongside its slightly older brother – Twelve-Plait seven and one half foot bullwhip with eighteen inch reinforced fall. Coyote-tan


Twelve-Plait six foot bullwhip with eighteen inch reinforced fall. White


It goes without saying that I’m still learning; but I’m finally happy with my work and am constantly trying new ways to bind and bolster the core and bellies. I’m trying to get more of a progressive flex down the thong which has dramatically improved how these handle and even roll up. Once I feel I’ve got the nylon pretty much figured out I plan on beginning some leather whips.

If you read all of that, and are still awake, thanks for your time . . . and please, I could use any constructive feedback and advice.

Hi and welcome!

Those are some nice whips you've got there.

You obviously know how to plait, your seams are pretty straight so that's all good! I might say watch your dropped points (bumps and what not), and would maybe suggest trying to plait with either a smaller core, or more strands, to try and get an angle a bit closer to 45 degrees on your plait, but that's just me.

Overall very nice job! I especially like the white/silver one! Congratulations!

Hey there! Whereabouts in Florida? I'm in the Tampa area, and also a nylon whipmaker...Nice whips!

If you've been to a Tampa Bay whip Enthusiasts meet in the last 2 years, we may have bumped into each other!

Welcome aboard!

Canuck Digger Hi and welcome!

Those are some nice whips you've got there.

You obviously know how to plait, your seams are pretty straight so that's all good! I might say watch your dropped points (bumps and what not), and would maybe suggest trying to plait with either a smaller core, or more strands, to try and get an angle a bit closer to 45 degrees on your plait, but that's just me.

Overall very nice job! I especially like the white/silver one! Congratulations!

Thanks for your kind words; this is actually the first feedback I’ve gotten from anyone with an understanding of whipcraft. You’re right about the drop points, they bother me too but I think I recognized why they were coming out a bit lumpy while making the last one. I’m going to start my next whip in a few days so I guess we’ll find out.

I’m going for a second belly and higher plait count on the next as well, to make it more Indiana like in girth. I’m also going to bind it further down the thong, to add some more controlled flex. I’ve found that the spectra cord is so thin that I can bind forever and it doesn’t bulk up the thong, yet it is tremendously strong. That should help with the angle you mentioned.

And you’re right about the core. I’m using BB’s which are causing me some issues with lumpiness and sloppy taper. I’ve improved it immensely with better bolsters and new binding materials, but I have to get it smoother. I really like the weight of BB’s and am trying to stay away from lead which is why I haven’t switched to something else.

And yeah, that white whip is my favorite too. It handles so well I can’t believe it. I just wish it were made of better stuff. The Walmart cord won’t hold up like the good stuff.

Again, thanks.

PyramidBlaster Hey there! Whereabouts in Florida? I'm in the Tampa area, and also a nylon whipmaker...Nice whips!

If you've been to a Tampa Bay whip Enthusiasts meet in the last 2 years, we may have bumped into each other!

Welcome aboard!

Thank you.

I’ve actually only been making these a few months now (closer to two), so I haven’t participated in any whip events yet. Could you please tell me more about the Tampa meet? When, exact location, etc.?

The best way to give you an idea of where I am is do you know where Weeki Wachee Springs is? I’m around that area.

And I’ve got a question, from one nylon whip maker to another: do you’re thumbs ever get used to it? After a long whipmaking session my thumbs feel like ratchets.

I know I am my own worst critic so I understand your position, believe me. These comments are really meant as constructive.

The thing about the angle of the plait is it has to do with both how you pull as well as how big your core or belly is in relationship to the number and width of your strands. I have found that when I used strands that were too narrow for the number I was using, the angle got very severe and not quite 45 degrees, which again, is just my personal favourite thing to aim for. So with this in mind, one either makes his strands wider, hard to do with a pre-set width as I imagine paracord is, or, one can either make the core smaller or add strands, which is probably the easiest fix.

Well you seem like you have a very critical eye which is the most important thing in my view. If one has a critical eye, time will do the rest. But for a sloppy person, no amount of time will help, because they are convinced they cannot improve. I have no fear that you have many wonderful whips to offer the world, because if these are your first whips, then my friend, you are bound for a nifty future!

Weeki Wachee? I've got family in Spring Hill. I'm actually not terribly far, being in central Pasco.....Cool!

The TBWE meetings are held once a month on the third Sunday, in Lake Seminole Park in St. Pete. Here's a link to their YahooGroups site, where pertinent news is posted...The TBWE.Net site hasn't been updated in a long, long time....

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TBWE/

I actually have been too busy working to go in a number of months...And this month isn't looking too good, either...But it is what it is.

I don't braid often enough for my fingers to get used to it...But I guess if I did, my fingers would adapt... Here's a couple of my latest.

Welcome! Those are nice looking whips. Keep up the good work, and be sure post pics of your projects and progress.