Hunting Riding Crop

[Newfoundland82]

I am going to attempt a Hunting Riding Crop. I am an amature leather worker, so I seek any advice you fellows would have - especially when it comes to braiding this crop.

For anybody who is wondering, this is what I`m talking about:

http://www.sportingc.../w370/w370.html(for more photos then I`m going to post)

I am going to use the body of a cut down rifle .50 cal brass piece as the junction between the horn and cane. The dimensions of the casing body taper down from 0.804 inch to an unknown to me at this point dimension before it gets to the shoulder (I`m guessing 0.70 inch at smallest)

I know these were traditionally made of cane, and often leather wrapped cane. Some were steel lined too, to prevent from breaking or cracking. Here goes my first questions:

1) How could I steel line this?

2) Would it be wise to use a steel pipe of appropriate diameter to fit in the brass sleeve (.50 cal casing)

I do like the look of a braided crop, and I have seen the sticky post about braiding by Drac. I think I could do that, but could anybody tell me how to perform the braid on the crop shown above?

That should be enough for a start. Thanks

Edited February 27, 2010 by Newfoundland82

[rgerbitz]

I am not sure about any of this, but that has never stopped me from offering up my opinions before. So here you are. For wrapping the cane in steel I would think you could get some thin rolled steel strips to wind around the core. Nothing wrong with using the casing except that it will need to slip over the braid to hide where all the strings end and to hold them in place. Unless you are going to put some type of knot there to end up everything. As for the braiding I am guessing that it is at least a 16 plait,if not more, done in a u4,o4 pattern. If it's 20 plait then it would be u5,o5. I would look at using a fiberglass rod for the core, for the weight, and so that I could shape the ends to allow for the brass fitting. Be sure and post some pictures as go so we can all see how it goes.

Rob

[Kevin]

I think I can tell you everything except what you want to know. The old crops were made of about 12 strips of what I have always assumed was balleen around a wire core, then this is wrapped in strips of thin brown paper to even out any little lumps or bumps. Anywhere you or I would use glue, they used something black which I assume is pitch. Very cheap materials in their day. These crops were flexible and light weight. The newer crops are fiberglass and much heavier and clunky looking and do not flex at all.

The only steel lining I've ever seen is in the ferrule or collar and if you use brass, I personally don't see any need for that.

The handle and keeper (leather end) are both held on with pitch and thread, if you oil the leather too much the parts will fall apart.

You may notice the little castleated metal piece on the handle, that is for pushing gates, newer crops have a sort of heel shaped knob carved there with cross hatching to push gates, if they have anything.

Sorry I can't tell you about braiding, we just take the braiding off and cover it with pig or nowadays, calfskin. The braiding was done by machine and I have heard tell that one of the last of those machines is in somebody's garden used as a decoration.

Hope this is at least entertaining, if not at all helpful,

Kevin

[jerryrwm]

You could make the core like the making of an Australian style stock whip. They use Tohiti cane and then insert a spring steel rod. This allows the handle to flex without too much added weight. One source of these rods is from cloth or canvas golf bags. One source of cane is polo mallet shaft. The whipmakers secure the cane in a vise or clamp, then use a drill and insert the spring steel rod that way.

Or you could make the core of split bamboo around a spring steel shaft. Then dress it up and plait over it

Anything much heavier than the steel rod and the finished item gets to be a bit burdensome when having to ride a horse and carry this crop in the proper position.

The braiding over it would probably be a simple 12 plait cowstail braid. Basically U3O3 pattern.

[Newfoundland82]

You could make the core like the making of an Australian style stock whip. They use Tohiti cane and then insert a spring steel rod. This allows the handle to flex without too much added weight. One source of these rods is from cloth or canvas golf bags. One source of cane is polo mallet shaft. The whipmakers secure the cane in a vise or clamp, then use a drill and insert the spring steel rod that way.

Or you could make the core of split bamboo around a spring steel shaft. Then dress it up and plait over it

Anything much heavier than the steel rod and the finished item gets to be a bit burdensome when having to ride a horse and carry this crop in the proper position.

The braiding over it would probably be a simple 12 plait cowstail braid. Basically U3O3 pattern.

That sounds interesting.

Tohiti cane isn't hallow thought is it? How would you hallow it to insert a spring steel rod?

The spring steel, is that straight steel that is used to make springs or what? I am not sure what is is.