Second whip: The Thong

My second whip is almost ready. The handle was way too thick, my 12-plait was not enough to cover it fully. There is also a lump at the end of the handle. Too much sinew.

I used equal amounts of black and green cord for this. The lengths were (like in the tutorial) 720cm, 720cm, 540cm, 480cm, 420cm and 300cm. For this belly they seemed to be good lengths. The whip is 185cm long. Six-footer. The fall is single 70cm piece of paracord.

I don't quite like the look of the thing. I was hoping for something more lively. But it cracks well and that is the most important thing :) At least for now...



That's not me by the way...

Second whip: The Belly

The belly is now rolled. Transition between the handle and the belly has been tied with artificial sinew and taped. Ready for final plaiting.

Second whip: The Belly

Like in the tutorial, I used four cords: 480cm, 480cm, 420cm and 300cm. Unlike in the tutorial, I ran out of cord every time about 30cm before I was supposed to. Therefore I dropped first two strands a bit before triple core changed into double and second two before double changed to single. Last four strands went just a short while over single core so now my braid ends about 100cm after the handle.

Next time I will add 100cm to all cords. Should be enough.

Also the handle is a bit lumpy. To my next whip I could try to get a bit more narrow handle core. There were gaps in my 8-plait in the handle. Also I will run the core cords all the way to the end of the handle so the thickness of the belly won't change in the handle.

Second whip: The Core

I begun constructing my second whip. Instead of galvanized spike that can't be found in local hardware stores, I used 20cm piece of metal bar that I found from local construction site. Diameter is about 12mm and weight 170g. I made a small taper to it using a saw and a file.



Just like in the tutorial, I have four pieces of paracord, 30cm, 60cm, 90cm and 180cm plus 15cm for the handle, loaded with 30cm, 60cm and 90cm of beaded chain. I placed them evenly around the handle and wrapped with artificial sinew. It's perfect stuff for this. I tied the other end to a bookshelf and winded the handle over the sinew for stronger grip. I finished with five overhand knots.






After that I added the bolster, using electric tape. Since electric tape has some tension when pulled tight, it tends to twist the core into a spiral. Just before taping I rotated the core a quarter turn to same direction I was taping. Then the tension of the tape pulled the core straight. Finally I added some more tape to the end of the handle for smoother taper.



And the result is satisfactory.

Next project

Since I'm happy with my first whip, it's a good time to start another. Fortunately I found an excellent site with nylon bullwhip tutorial. My next project will therefore be 6 foot bullwhip.

Nylon bullwhip tutorial

For this I have acquired more paracord (green this time), iron bar for the handle and more beaded chain for the core. I also ordered some artificial sinew (even more difficult to get than paracord) and I'm waiting for it to arrive.