12 foot 8 layer whip

[The Major]

Made this one for an Indiana Jones junkie.

This was my first try at a 12 footer. I have done several 3, 4, and 6 footers, but never a 12. It was fun, once I got used to working with thongs of that length (24 ft was my longest, 12 feet was my shortest.) for the final plait.

The whip is constructed of 8 layers of plaited roo. Final covering was a 16 Plait over 1 under 1 for the handle and a under 3 and over 2 for the rest of the length.

Definitely a challenge. And yes I will admit one mistake, after finishing about 6 inches past the handle, I realized I didn't bevel my thongs. (DOH!)

Can't wait to do my next one.

I have to say, once I got used to handling a 12 foot whip after knocking myself a few times with it, it sounds awesome.

Seasoned whip experts and others. please critique.

[rawhide1]

Great job!!!! Very nice looking whip. Mike

[Beaverslayer]

Real nice looking Major. How long does it take you to make one of those?

Ken

[The Major]

Muchos thankyou's. I have 150 hours into this whip. Seems like allot, but remember every layer has to be plaited. But the sad part is it works out to be about $4.30 an hour. That time will decrease as my experience grows.

[Beaverslayer]

Wow. That's a lot of hours and at little pay, kinda like a few things I make at about $10 per hour. But as we all know, if we wanted to make 30 or 50 dollars an hour, we would most likely never sell anything.

Ken

[SmilinJim]

I like that alot. I have no concept of what it's like to work with strings that long or that many, but I know it took a lot of skill and it shows in your work. Question, will beveling make that much of a difference? Keep up the good works.

Jim

[Romey]

Very nice bull wacker, I hear ya on the profit. When ever i hear someone complain at price of my knives I laugh to myself cause Im getting right at 7$ a hour and thats at my premium!

I have been around alot of good crackers, one ranch I cowboyed for everyone but myself used blacksnakes. You aint seen nothing till you seen what happens when 10 or so riders start cracking snakes at 1500 head of ringy yearlings!! I just kinda hung back one cause i was on a broncy colt andsorta thought to myself "wow this is a hell of a wreck"

[The Major]

I like that alot. I have no concept of what it's like to work with strings that long or that many, but I know it took a lot of skill and it shows in your work. Question, will beveling make that much of a difference? Keep up the good works.

Jim

Yes the beveling will make a definite cosmetic difference. It helps the edges lay flatter. Gives more of a finished look.

Thanks for the kudos all.