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Essentially a full
size snake whip is the same as a pocket snake in construction only the belly
strands have to be kept relative to the size of the whip. With the 5ft pocket
snake we had a shot bag 40 inches long and 1&1/4 inches wide, with the
full size snake whip a bit more shot is used because the shot bag is 1&5/8
wide and if we were making a 6ft whip the belly would be 48 inches long. I try
and work on 8 inches of belly for every foot of whip,
BUT, and this is a BIG
BUT, this is only up to a
certain size. I use this formula up to 8 feet and then you will have to use a bit
of judgement here otherwise you will end up with a whip so heavy that it will
take two men and a dog to lift it off the ground.
The belly construction is the same as for the
pocket snake and the cutting of the thongs is the same as for the bull whips.
You have to understand there are a lot of variables here that can only be
overcome with time and experience. I've been plaiting for nearly 30 years now and
I'm still learning so don't expect to read this and over night become an expert
whip maker, it aint gonna happen. People often say to me, "How long did it
take you to learn how to plait?" I always reply 30 years and still
learning. When you can see a whip in your minds eye before you plait it, that
means your getting there, but don't ever make the mistake of thinking you know
everything.
Other whip makers will read this and disagree with my methods
and that is their prerogative but so far this is the best way I have found to
make the whips I've described. I'm always on the look out for a better way and I
constantly waste leather trying different methods of finding that perfect whip.
If you really want to learn how to make whips try and find a whip maker who
will teach you, it won't be easy. By nature us whip makers seem to be
solitary creatures who when in a crowd and someone starts talking leather and
whips, you can't shut us up but then we like to retreat to our little work shops
and be left alone for two or three months until the need for human contact
becomes necessary again and out we venture into the world again. If when
you read this still need some clarification or help
email
me and I will help all I can. We don't want this craft dying out so the more
people I and other whip makers can teach and help those who want to learn ,the
better.
P.S.
Might have to do a tutorial about plaiting next. They say a picture is worth a
thousand words and I just Love using this digi camera so keep your eyes
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