Can You See A Fault In This

[8thsinner]

I am looking the opinions of really good plaiters here or the really really cynical.

http://www.deadringer.com.au/album/album/72%20x%2036%20Plait/72plait.html

Please take your time and digest all three pages of pictures and tell me if you can see a single mistake or list them.

[bullwhips]

There is a small cosmetic flaw in it (I wouldn't call it a mistake), but to be fair and completely honest that whip is a million times better than what I and just about every other whip maker could do and it's an AMAZING WHIP!

Someone told me that making whip isn't how well you make them, it's how well you hide your flaws/mistakes. I'm not going to point out what I see, but it's there and if you don't see it then it's not something you should worry about. Also I didn't notice this until someone else pointed it out to me.

Edited September 11, 2010 by bullwhips

[roo4u]

well lets start with the praise...to have braided that-most people could not. even just the 72 strands WOW...especially when you realize how tiny they are. that is a thing to aspire to, for sure. now on top of that add the patterns, how many pattern changes are there in that thing HOLY COW!!!! i could not begin to get work that clean...

now a flaw-damn hard to find only found 2 very minor things...the first thing i noticed is there is a very slight twist in the braid in the thong....and it is very slight. it could actually be the way its laying only way to know is straighten it out. there is also a slight deviation in part of the handle but it corrects itself with the next pattern change.

his work is very fine...the bosal that won best of trapping of texas is amazing! he is simply one of the finest braiders in the world. even his plain jane stuff is wow.

Edited September 11, 2010 by roo4u

[8thsinner]

Any more takers for the hunt?

I don't wanna point out my own observations just yet, as with some of them I am not even sure they are there.

I agree with you too bullwhips, But it's not just whip making.

In my words,

The search for perfection is better described as the search for no mistakes.

It's most certainly the finest whip I have seen yet,

But I had never heard of the guy before. Nor is his work widely advertised as far as I can tell. I find this a bit strange.

[bullwhips]

Chris Barr is well known in whip circles, he's currently the president of the APWA (http://www.apwa.org.au/).

Louie

[Aggiebraider]

Many of the best saddle, bit, and spur makers in the world have no website, do no advertising, and work solely off word of mouth. I wouldnt let this aspect of this braider deter you in looking at his work for what it is. The ONLY thing I can see is that there is a very slight twist in the crosses on the handle.

CW

[roo4u]

true artists mostly do not seek fame for their work..self promotion is usually done by those who are insecure about their work and feel they have to tell you how good they are. .ive been drooling over this guys work since i came across his site during a google search on bosals several years ago.

[skippy]

first off.

absolutly bloody fantastic....screw the flaws.

one thing i really picked up on,though i dont class it as a flaw in any way.

where the handle is tethered and the braiding begins it seems to start thin,then braoden,then taper very nicely.

i dont class this as a flaw,ive made stock whips ( no where near this proffesionally...or beutiful)but my stocks start as one size then taper down.

like i said....i dont class this as a flaw.

now if you really want to be picky,some of the designs dont line up properly.............and its not a bullwhip lol.

dont get too picky with yourself,this is a drop dead perfect as damnit and anyone who said otherwise just show them what breaking the sound barrier feels like ( i too have done this and it really....really....really hurts).

now lets look at whats important.

its got a really nice design...its got the almost snake skin effect,the taper is perfect.......................its really only let down as i said is that its not a bullwhip.

one question for yah...........the highest ive braided is 48...........................HOW MANY STRANDS DID YOU BREAK

[8thsinner]

DO you feel like sharing a picture of said 48 plait? I would not mind seeing it as I am sure others would.

I had an accident there two days ago with a whip performer, who was cutting newspaper in to smaller and smaller bits, He took a whack at my hand, but it was after the crack not at it...Can barely see the bruise now...

I hope no one misunderstands my reasons for starting this thread either, I have been looking into his work for prospecting purposes, but quite frankly his prices are way above my budget

Also, just wanted to add, I think it was in Grants book he said, Some of the best braiders in the world no one has ever heard of, thats because they spend so much time in the wilds practicing their art and have plenty enough time to unbraid and re-braid anything they make getting it more perfect every time.

Not sure why this just came to mind but it did, so there you go.

Edited September 11, 2010 by 8thsinner