Club Obi Wan

How many feet of paracord is needed to make an 8-foot whip?

Say, 4-plait for the core, then 6, then 8, then 12 plait overlay...

300ft should do fine if you cut your strands right.
but i would buy 400ft if its your first whip.

Being a nylon whip maker myself I would not recommend a 12 plait overlay (you will get gaps and it will not look very presentable) I would strongly suggest 16 plait for the overlay. As for the core I would suggest a single strand filled with some kind of weighted shot, 1st plaited belly being 8 plait, 2nd plaited belly being 12 plait, then the 16 plait overlay. That will make is so that you do not have gaps in your plaiting. Hope that helps.

Keep Crackin,
James

In other words, just go ahead and buy the 1000' roll. It'll be cheaper in the long run!

classicbullwhips wrote:Being a nylon whip maker myself I would not recommend a 12 plait overlay (you will get gaps and it will not look very presentable) I would strongly suggest 16 plait for the overlay. As for the core I would suggest a single strand filled with some kind of weighted shot, 1st plaited belly being 8 plait, 2nd plaited belly being 12 plait, then the 16 plait overlay. That will make is so that you do not have gaps in your plaiting. Hope that helps.

Keep Crackin,
James

I agree with James 100% and do buy 1000ft spool, It will be worth it.
Graeme

classicbullwhips wrote:...As for the core I would suggest a single strand filled with some kind of weighted shot, 1st plaited belly being 8 plait, 2nd plaited belly being 12 plait, then the 16 plait overlay.

+1 That's the way to do it.

Fenris, don't forget to preshrink the cord before you start plaiting.

Thanks for the answers, guys.

But... Preshrink? How?

In your calculations you'll need to allow an extra 10-12% to the length of each cord. After you cut the strands* you'll want to de-core it (that is, pulling out the filaments that make up the core of the parachute cord), when this step is done make sure to melt the ends (just a little) so they don't unravel. Then soak all the cord in cold water for around 15 minutes. When it's done soaking, either hang the cord up to dry on a drying rack or but it in a laundry bag and put it in the clothes dryer.

On one whip I made I decided to try not shrinking the cord beforehand. That was a big mistake. I soaked it after I was done and when it dried it would almost stand straight up. It performed alright, it just didn't want to coil up very well.

Now, if you want real tight knots (ring knot and Turk's head), I suggest you don't pre-shrink the cord you'll use for that. When the rest of the whip is completed, do the knots. Make sure the knots are very tight. When you have them just the way you want them, soak the handle area, then let it dry. The cord (used for the knots) will shrink up but it doesn't matter. You'll come out with a knot that won't come undone very easily.

I hope that helps.

* Tip: If, for instance, you're plaiting the first belly (eight strands), I don't cut eight individual strands. I double the length I'll need for each strand and cut four strands. Then I double it over at the base of the handle and boom, I have the eight strands I need. I think it makes it easier make a nice tight braid. I'm sure I'm not the only one who does it this way.