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Most of what I learned about leather, lace making, and braiding (plaiting); I learned from the master - Bernie Wojcicki. Although I didn't know him personally, I watched every video on his Youtube channel and referred to them often. Bernie used MS Word to create his whip patterns and it works OK, but I wanted more automation and flexibility. I have since found an online site called Faceplait that is super easy to use, and allows you to experiment with different patterns and see how it looks before you start plaiting. It also gives you row by row OU steps to follow. This really helps keep your place when you stop and start. I didn't see this mentioned in the forums here, but if this is old news, I hope I haven't wasted your time. The program is very easy to use. Perhaps you'll find it helpful: http://www.whipinfo.com/

Hello, my name is Vitaly . I live in Ukraine. I am Whipmaker Two modern children nagayka who made to order in England . And Historical reconstruction nagayka from tanneries . P.S I'm sorry if there's something wrong wrote . My English is bad.

My first real attempt at braiding around a core actually, I think it turned out decently.

Hello. Tell me where can buy leather kangaroo ? For whips . With delivery to Ukraine . Thanks!

Hello, I am looking to buy a splitter for latigo whip plaiting and general splitting with low production volume (3-5 whips per week). What spliter does everyone recommend? I have been thinking a landis 5 in 1 or similar would work well for my shop but is it accurate enough? I see the most plaiters use the C.S. Osborn manual type, why is this? Thanks, Travis

Howdy folks - new to the forum. Showing of my deerskin bullwhips, along with a couple of cowhide bullwhips. First up is a white deerskin I just rolled out today. Still needs knots and some minor finishing work, but 90% of the tough stuff is complete. I made this bullwhip with nothing but left overs from previous builds. Here's a pic of the 2nd belly, which was made with black, tan, and gold deerskin scrap strands I had lying around: Here's the finished thong, without knots, at an exact 8': Here's a detail shot of the tapering of the strands: Strands are 5.5mm at the handle, and taper down to 3mm at the fall. Here are some random shots of other deerskin bullwhips, either finished or mid-build:

I want to make a whip but I'm having a real issue sourcing the right leather. I've made four whips over the years, the one below was made of buffalo but over the years the lacing has shrunk and the gaps make it look untidy. I have no idea how to use it, I tried once and still have the scar. its a show piece that hangs in the workshop, it serves no purpose other than to say... i made that. I'm fascinated by the intricacies of a whip, the detail and work that goes into them. I don't want to make one just for show though, it has to be the correct construction, I don't want to cheat. This one is leather to the core. It rolls out nicely and is still solid. Now... I know kangaroo is the best lace to use because of its tensile strength but there are no decent sources for it in the UK, I remember years ago MHW in Australia sold finished lace but having looked at the site it hasn't changed and I've had no replies to emails so I don't know if they are still going. So... Is there a good outlet for kangaroo out there? Or, drawing or your expertise... What other leather plaits well and has a similar strength and look? I have cut lace myself but am no master so it's straight without taper, this means I have to drop laces to reduce the body from the handle down to the fall. In truth, it's beyond me how you can taper an 8 foot length of lace from 4mm to say 2mm. I'd be very interested in your thoughts on materials and techniques. This side of leather is very much a hobby so I'm willing to take any advice or tips you can offer. This is a two way street... If I can help you with your stitching, just sing out. Nigel

I took a class on how to make whips, and cranked this out in six hours. I couldn't do the braiding again if my life depended on it though. I have always wanted to make one. I would like to make an eight to ten foot bull whip with Kangaroo hide in the future. This one is made with veg tan cowhide, and is only four feet long. That is about as short as you can make it, and actually have it crack(so I'm told). I'm not happy with the knot on the handle either. I would like to perfect that. Practice, practice, practice.