Whoa, is it August Already?
Apologies to all who visit my site. As I mention in my last post, I am in school right now and I have had less time for projects than I used to. Not that I haven't done any projects, but they were small and I didn't take the extra time to document them. I expect this lack of availability to continue at least until the end of 2012, but if you check back occasionally, you never know. Something might pop up.
In any case I have a few weeks off and I am finishing a couple of whips for an order so I'll post those this weekend. One of the girls in my class browsed my old project photos on Facebook and saw some of the bracelets I made a few years ago and she asked if I could make her one. I spent the day yesterday practicing and I made up a few for my son to wear. Most use a knot button type clasp, but there was one that I made as a slip on solid ring (not pictured). While I prefer the solid ring look, I personally find them too loose. I ended up making a two tone Solomon bar button clasp bracelet for my class mate.
Lastly, someone named Gary contacted me asking about stock for fighting sticks. Gary, if you are reading this, I got your message but your reply address bounced. Feel free to contact me again if you like, but I'll post my reply here:
"For the batas I use in Irish stick fighting I look for 1" thick pieces. Where I get my hardwoods from they seem to have extras and off cuts that are actually 1" and not 3/4". I don't have the tools to re-saw my own stock so I take what I can get. Beyond that, I use a circular saw and jig saw to rough cut the stick and knob then I use a spokeshave on my shaving horse to shape it. Stationary belt sander to clean things up after the shaping. Hope that helps. Send me some pics of your stick when you get done."
Whip #68 & #69
After making the Kelly style whip, I wanted to incorporate some of the essential construction methods I learned with a few other ideas I had simmering on the backburner. I made whip #68 (pictured on the right, black with red) a couple of weeks ago, just after completing the cow whip. 7' with a 9" handle, BB and ball chain loaded core, 10 plait belly with a 12 plait overlay in black. Keeping the core and belly simple really made a difference. I finally have a fluidness to the thong that has been eluding me. Part of this whole process was to also try and develop a kind of scalable standard method for myself that would be practical and efficient. Making whips is somewhat labour intensive.
So I just completed whip #69 today as a follow up (pictured left in all black) to see if I could essentially replicate what I came up with. 7' with a 9" steel handle, extra bolstering for thickness at the handle and more tapering of the core, BB and ball chain loaded core, 10 plait belly with a 16 plait overlay. Overall it seems like I certainly can replicate things and maintain the flow I've been wanting. I'm still experimenting with a few things so my standard is almost there, but I still some ideas to hash out.
One thing I borrowed from another whip maker is rolled paracord covering for the end of the knob. I call it the "Susanka Swirl" after the original whip maker. It turns out to be very simple to construct and it looks sharp. I will be applying this to many whips in the future.
Lead Headed Training Club
I had one last scrap piece of hickory left over from the original board I purchased a few months ago. It was 32" long, which was too short for a full walking stick, but I was inspired today after looking at other people's knot work to just make myself a light club with a lead knob on one end and cover the knob with a turkshead, just like on a bullwhip.
The resulting club isn't too heavy but it's very comfortable for doing shoulder mobility and light wrist/grip strength exercises. It's long enough to be able to do some Irish stick movement practice with as well. And, ultimately, it's a stick with a hunk of lead on the end. What's not to like? No way I'd want to get hit with this thing, that's for sure.
As for the knot, it's my first try at an 8 bight. With two passes, it is just right for the foundation size...just. Problem is, my colour choice did not turn out quite as I had expected. The shape of the knob, the length of the handle and its being made out of wood, plus the red nylon makes the whole thing look like a giant match stick. Not what I was intending at all.
So, it's a dorky looking training tool, but it works.
Paracord Belt
Finally took some time to finish off this belt. It's a simple parallel and intertwined cobra knot. How-to found on instructables. It really doesn't take all that long to make. Unfortunately, the belt is too casual in appearance for my purposes, but it was a worthwhile project. I'll likely try and sell it.
