Re-plaiting/Starting over

So the test plait ended up being pretty loose (not suprising with it being halfway plaited without a grip/vice. So we started over. This time we started Bryony's as well. I also decided to plait over the handle as well.  Not sure why...just what I decided.

We cut new strips. This time we tapered them as well:

...and cut them into 4, keeping them attached at the handle end by about a half inch or so. The we taped them onto the handles...

...and plaited them.

Starting out/Our first plaiting

(Note: I accidentatally posted this with Bryony's login, but the post is by Charles.)

Both Bryony and I started working on a practice whip with the faux leather last weekend. Then I went out of town and so didn't have a chance to post. First, we began with an 8" nail for me (and an 8" bolt for her - just to try them both out):

We then cut out 3 foot strips that would just wrap around the nail and duct-taped the back (technically we're using Gorilla tape).

 We taped the strip on to the nail. When we use leather we won't duct tape it on, but for the practice I figured it was as good a way as any:

Then we cut the strip into a taper and into 4 sections:

Then our first test braid:

Me looking at the book to figure it out.

Trying to braid while holding it between my knees.

Bryony braiding with me holding it.

Ultimately this wasn't going to work, so we ran to Lowes and got this:

Now we're plaiting in style!

 

The hide/The plan

I purchased some kangaroo hide (at a very good price - but still, expensive), but I don't want to use it for learning with. We talked about a few options, but I'm of the mind that if I'm going to make a cheap whip, I want to make as cheap a whip as possible, and even cheap leather is still moderately pricey. We talked about maybe starting with a duct tape whip, but that did not really appeal to me. Finally, we settled in on using faux leather.  That will create some challenges, but the final product should be closer to the look of a leather whip, and it will give us the experience we want with cutting strands, measuring, etc...

So I purchased this:

I cut a strand and pulled it to test stretch. It had too much. So then I duct taped the back of it and cut another strand, testing it again. The stretch here was more what I was hoping for--similar to leather. It's not as strong as kanagoo hide, obviously, this way, but much stronger than without the duct tape backing. So this may be the way we go with it.

Heres' the kangaroo hide I got. It's in saddle tan, which we want to use natural, but the selection of colors was limited at the cost.

It begins

BCB = Brett, Charles, and Bryony

Last weekend Brett recieved a 10' Indiana Jones style whip from Todd's Costumes. We spent several hours messing around trying to crack it (somewhat successfully) and all just kinda fell in love with it. Then we came up with the idea of learning to braid our own whips and it's really stuck. So we're digging in. The blog will record the process of learning and creating the various whips we make.