I have been plaiting since late Dec. 2002, about a year and a half. I basically taught myself how to do a 4 strand round plait to make my plaited-cord slings. With a lot of e-mail support from Ben (aka Whipartist), I learned how to do more complex plaiting. I even made a 10 plait wool and leather sling.
Well, about 1 1/2 weeks ago I was going to plait a cord for a sling using leather. As I was looking at the leather, I thought I might try to plait a whip. Well, the urge became so strong, I could not resist. That very day I plaited my first whip. It is on the far left in the photo. It has a core of heavy trimmer line, two plaited bellies and the rust/olive 12 plait overlay you see. The next day I plaited the brown and purple whip much the same way. Over the next few evenings, I made the green and red one with a core, three plaited bellies and a 12 plait overlay. My two girls wanted small whips, so I made them the two short bright colored whips on the right (and they crack sharply). Then I made a black and red whip for a friend with a core, 4 bellies and a 12 plait overlay.
The first two big whips are 40" long, the third is about 44", but heavier and easier to crack. Add to this 2' for the fall and 15" for the cracker. They are a heap of fun to crack and are very loud to boot. They sound like a .22 rifle going off.
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4d829b3127ccebfa50e26081e0000002610Thanks to Ben for getting me excited about this. I love making whips, even if they are not professional grade. I am working on another now that promises to be quite nice. Black with brown and red. I will be about 4' plus fall and cracker.
jeff <><