Recently(ish) Finished 8 ft Indy Style Whip

[willthebold]

Hey Folks,

I'm not a whip-making pro by any means, but I've probably made about 10 or so over the last 3-4 years. I finished this one about 4 or 5 months ago, and just never got around to posting pics. It's pretty broken in now, and darker than when it was brand new. I set out to make a pretty nice whip in the Indy style, and I think I've finally done that. This isn't the best whip I've ever seen by a long shot, but I like how it turned out overall, and I think I'm satisfied enough so that I won't be making another all that soon. I got a lot better at making whips, but there are some things I just don't have the time to really learn to do well(I'm looking at you, heel knot shapes...)

Anyway, a big thanks to everyone who answered my questions when I posted about how to do this and that, in particular riku1914 and Franco.

Some technical stuff:
8ft, 12-plait, saddle tan roo hide, 8 inch spike, latigo fall.
Core, 2 bellies(roo), 2 bolsters(kip), and overlay(roo).
I didn't pare the strands because I'm pretty terrible at that right now, and sort of like how it makes it look a little more rugged anyway. I cut out all the strands using an Aussie strander.

Now the reason you clicked this thread (click link for full-res):
https://dl.dropbox.com/u/3447540/Boots/P1010645.JPG

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/3447540/Boots/P1010652.JPG

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/3447540/Boots/P1010655.JPG

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/3447540/Boots/P1010657.JPG


Thanks for looking,
Will

[riku1914]

Nice work I wouldn't ever do it myself, but I kind of like how the strands lay unpared. The seams look pretty straight.

Great work!

[Marhala]

I like the way the thong looks heavier than others. Others seem to taper faster and ending in slightly thinner points.

Aldo.

[riku1914]

Could you tell us the dimensions? Handle thickness, start of thong thickness, point thickness?

[willthebold]

Thanks for the kind words!

I got out my calipers to see about the dimensions:

Handle: 21mm
Thong: 25mm
Point: 8-9mm
Heel knot: ~44mm wide.

[riku1914]

I've had a point on a whip 8.5mm before and it cracked well, but I would suggest going for less. The highest I'd be willing make one now is 8mm, with 7-7.5 for the thicker whips being preferable. That's just my suggestion anyway

[willthebold]

Yeah, I just measured it again, and came up with 8. I probably just had it at a weird angle last time or something. It seems to crack pretty well; certainly much better than anything else I've made!