Club Obi Wan

This is an "Indy-On-A Budget" type question: Can this handle be braided over?

<img src="http://tinypic.com/58hl3">

This is a good but cheap 8' bullwhip I picked up on eBay for $10! The handle just isn't close enough for my liking, but I'm on a budget. The good news is I am handy w/ stuff, so I don't mind trying to braid over this handle, even if it means shaving down/whittling the handle first.

Since it sounds like ya'll braid the thongs first, then affix the handle core (nail, whatever), and braid over that, then this might be possible.

Just wondering if anyone here has tried that and if I should be leaving well enough alone because I'd just be ruining a good whip!

The wood handle exposed is only about 6", but it is a 12" wood piece that the thong is braided right onto.

Thanks for any input at all - IJ

The handle can be plaited over. First take the handle down to the diameter you want it, and it would be easier for you (if you haven't plaited before) to take the hump out of the middle of the handle. Whatever the thickness of your leather is (that is going to be plaited over handle) multiply by 4 and that is what you will be adding to the diameter of the handle.
Next Step you would have to take off the Turks Head (knot).
Then cut out the strands and plait away. Start the plaiting back 2inches over the existing plaiting. After plaiting the handle cover the spot where the different sections meet with a Turks Head then put one for a knob on the handle. Not as easy as it sounds. But I hope this helps you out. Or you could just leave it as is!!

Simon
www.whipmaker.com.au

I would think that it might be better to remove the wooden handle completely.

I've seen this type of whip before, and they're usually braided from the point/tip of the whip.

So you could undo the turk's head, unbraid the leather going over the handle and remove the wooden handle. Then get yourself a steel rod the same length as you want the new handle to be. Then unbraid enough of the whip's core and overlay to cover the rod. Now take the core, which should be long enough to cover the length of the handle, and bind it over the steel with strong thread or artificial sinew. Then you can braid the original strands in the overlay of the whip over the handle, finished at the butt of the steel rod.

This might look like it involves a lot of deconstruction, but it would get you closer to an Indy-style whip than just braiding over handle.

Maybe an easier thing to do would just be to stain/paint the handle the same color as the leather and get some leather lace to make a knob and wrist loop for the end of the handle.

-Adam, www.winrichwhips.com

Both EXCELLENT suggestions, thanks so much!

Since it's my first try, I'm leery of completely removing the handle - right away, anyway, but... :idea:

I think you both just gave me three approaches that I can try one after another until satisfied:

1) dyeing and end-knotting - hadn't thought of that, it's the least destructive - thanks, winrich!
2) slimming the wooden handle and rebraiding from the turk's knot (oh, shouldn't say that too fast, guess I better call that a turks's head) - your prior exp w/ this type of whip is encouraging, simon - and this will let me practice those knots
3) if/when confident, remove the handle completely and really indy-ize it.

Actually, this sounds like a lot of good handle-braiding practice - thanks!

J