OK, so I couldn't put it off. First I'll say that I didn't go buy any paracord, since I was uncertain as to whether or not I'd be able to pull this off.
Anyway, I remembered that I had some nylon cord (of similar weave & diameter) in the garage, so I thought for my first attempt, I'd try that.
I'm pretty darn pleased with the finished piece, so I'll be purchasing some paracord (in a more manly, bullwhipping, macho, buttkicking color) directly. Here are my results:
Secondly, I'd like to thank 'bullwhipcracker' again, for offering this awesome tutorial. I had looked at (& purchased) some whip-making books, but I was never able to get anywhere constructing a whip, until this thread. You rock.
HOWEVER, due, undoubtedly, to my own stupidity, I was NOT able to wrap my brain around the Turk's Head knot (even though the tutorial was as thorough as any I had ever seen). A couple of days ago, I tried for 3 hours to tie that thing, & ended up with a headache & a large supply of self-disgust. I know you said we could come to you if we had any questions, but I am stubborn & was determined to figure this out the hard way.
So, for about a day, I searched & searched, trying MULTIPLE different techniques, until I finally ran across a quick tutorial. Even after downloading the pictures (& converting them into an Adobe .pdf file (offered below for download)), I still had to try to tie the Turk's head (on my fingers, just like the tutorial) about 6 times before I got it right. The cool thing was, after SO MANY attempts, that when I finally DID get it right, I was able to build BOTH knots (on the whip itself) on the first try.
It's late, so I haven't tried cracking it yet. That'll be tomorrow after work.
Anyway, this has been a really cool project, & after I build another half dozen or so, I may look into purchasing a cow (or dare I say: kangaroo) hide, to take this newfound skill to the next level.
Turk's Head pictorial:
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rapidshare
yousendit
P.S. bwc, do you think you could take some close-up pix of the transitions (where you drop strands), so I can really see the details? That was a big worry for me; wondering whether or not I was doing it properly. Thanks bro.
Anyway, I remembered that I had some nylon cord (of similar weave & diameter) in the garage, so I thought for my first attempt, I'd try that.
I'm pretty darn pleased with the finished piece, so I'll be purchasing some paracord (in a more manly, bullwhipping, macho, buttkicking color) directly. Here are my results:
Secondly, I'd like to thank 'bullwhipcracker' again, for offering this awesome tutorial. I had looked at (& purchased) some whip-making books, but I was never able to get anywhere constructing a whip, until this thread. You rock.
HOWEVER, due, undoubtedly, to my own stupidity, I was NOT able to wrap my brain around the Turk's Head knot (even though the tutorial was as thorough as any I had ever seen). A couple of days ago, I tried for 3 hours to tie that thing, & ended up with a headache & a large supply of self-disgust. I know you said we could come to you if we had any questions, but I am stubborn & was determined to figure this out the hard way.
So, for about a day, I searched & searched, trying MULTIPLE different techniques, until I finally ran across a quick tutorial. Even after downloading the pictures (& converting them into an Adobe .pdf file (offered below for download)), I still had to try to tie the Turk's head (on my fingers, just like the tutorial) about 6 times before I got it right. The cool thing was, after SO MANY attempts, that when I finally DID get it right, I was able to build BOTH knots (on the whip itself) on the first try.
It's late, so I haven't tried cracking it yet. That'll be tomorrow after work.
Anyway, this has been a really cool project, & after I build another half dozen or so, I may look into purchasing a cow (or dare I say: kangaroo) hide, to take this newfound skill to the next level.
Turk's Head pictorial:
megaupload
rapidshare
yousendit
P.S. bwc, do you think you could take some close-up pix of the transitions (where you drop strands), so I can really see the details? That was a big worry for me; wondering whether or not I was doing it properly. Thanks bro.
