Page 1 of 1
What does Plait mean
Posted: Thu Oct 02, 2003 4:59 am
by Gobler
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
Re: What does Plait mean
Posted: Thu Oct 02, 2003 11:03 am
by Sergei
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
Plait
Posted: Thu Oct 02, 2003 11:30 am
by The_Edge
Yeah, plait is just the Aussie term for braid. It is pronounced "plat." Like bat or cat. Sergei covered everything else.
Posted: Thu Oct 02, 2003 11:41 am
by Paul_Stenhouse
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
Posted: Thu Oct 02, 2003 2:48 pm
by Gobler
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
Posted: Thu Oct 02, 2003 3:30 pm
by Paul_Stenhouse
Dear Gobler,
I say go for the 12-plait as it's more screen accurate.
Best Regards,
Paul Stenhouse
Posted: Thu Oct 02, 2003 4:08 pm
by Sergei
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
Posted: Thu Oct 09, 2003 9:53 am
by Obi1kenny
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.
Re: What does Plait mean
Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2003 6:14 am
by Indiana Joe
Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2003 7:16 am
by zohar
It's never too late, IJ.
www.libsci.sc.edu 
Re: Plait
Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2003 6:04 pm
by SWTroopers
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
Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2003 6:52 pm
by Gobler
Thanks for the links Indy Joe. I shall read through them and learn.
Cheers,
Jeff