Patterson, help me - I don't know what all this jargon means! (regarding whips)

Posted by Richiana from dyn195-ras45.screaming.net on August 13, 2000 at 19:28:18:

As you know, I found a company in the UK called Cobra Whips - and they will customise a whip to any specification.

Anyway, Alex, the manager sent me this info:

"Aha, 'tis as I suspected. Right, as you know the Indy whips have 2 plaited bellies separated by a bolster with another bolster between the second and the overlay. Both bellies have four strands which poses a slight problem. The strands of the second have to be quite wide, meaning you can't get much compression on the core even when plaiting with full strength (as I do even on fine strands - roo is incredibly strong). Moreover, even if you cut the second set first the radius of curve on the leather is still too tight to allow such wide strands to stretch out straight so you get some buckling when you're plaiting. The result is a whip which lacks density and firmness in the thick section near the butt, giving the whip an "empty" feeling. That, combined with a comparatively heavy point section, reduces the control and speed of the whip. As I wrote earlier, I'd make the second belly with 8 strands but none of this answers your question....... So - a narrower point and lead weighting don't affect the price as there won't be much difference in time taken or cost to build. I make my whips with what I consider to be optimum handling characteristics (probably a personal thing) but could certainly tweak the design to look like an Indi job without having to go for a second belly - ie adjust the standard BK13-10 whip. I'm not sure a second belly would improve matters in a whip less than 12ft in length. If you want one with 2 bellies, I'll work out a price but it won't be cheap - it takes time if you want it done right."

Can you (or anyone) make any sense of this?

Here's Hoping - Richiana

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Understood... Patterson 11:06:03 8/14/2000 (0)

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: As you know, I found a company in the UK called Cobra Whips - and they will customise a whip to any specification.

: Anyway, Alex, the manager sent me this info:

: "Aha, 'tis as I suspected.  Right, as you know the Indy whips have 2 plaited bellies separated by a bolster with another bolster between the second and the overlay.  Both bellies have four strands which poses a slight problem.  The strands of the second have to be quite wide, meaning you can't get much compression on the core even when plaiting with full strength (as I do even on fine strands - roo is incredibly strong).  Moreover, even if you cut the second set first the radius of curve on the leather is still too tight to allow such wide strands to stretch out straight so you get some buckling when you're plaiting.  The result is a whip which lacks density and firmness in the thick section near the butt, giving the whip an "empty" feeling.  That, combined with a comparatively heavy point section, reduces the control and speed of the whip.  As I wrote earlier, I'd make the second belly with 8 strands but none of this answers your question....... So - a narrower point and lead weighting don't affect the price as there won't be much difference in time taken or cost to build.  I make my whips with what I consider to be optimum handling characteristics (probably a personal thing) but could certainly tweak the design to look like an Indi job without having to go for a second belly - ie adjust the standard BK13-10 whip.  I'm not sure a second belly would improve matters in a whip less than 12ft in length.  If you want one with 2 bellies, I'll work out a price but it won't be cheap - it takes time if you want it done right."

: Can you (or anyone) make any sense of this?

: Here's Hoping - Richiana

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