Upon request from a friend and student, I am making another whip. In the last year he has become quite interested in Schutzhund(a type of dog training for protection work). His request was that I make a whip that would have a handle about 20 and the thong (braided part) about the same length. The reason he is using the whip is for noise inoculation for the dog and the handle the simulate a stick; at higher level to make the dog maintains its hold in the sleave when it is met with resistance. Please forgive me if I havent explained this well enough, Derek Dreger(no the whip isnt for him) can give a better explanation if required. What I can tell you from the perspective of a whip maker and user is, the proportions of this whip as very odd and make it a difficult project to do well. But never having been one to back down from a challenge, here I what I decided to do: *I used a stock whip style(hinge connects the handle and thong) with a swivel. This would allow him to fold it easily in his gear bag and for using it as a stick, with out damaging the whip. *paracord was the material braided with as it doesnt rot, doest require much for maintenance. It is also not as delicious tasting to a dog *the core of the thong was chain weighted to ensure there was enough weight to carry the energy through the whip with control. If the whip is to light, it luffs and the energy wont flow through. *The handle is made from ¾ PVC pipe with a weight heel to allow for better cracking of the whip. Only the heal is weighted; by keeping the mass close to the hand it not carry as much for to the aninal when used as a stick for more about combative drill. Think about it like holding hammer upside down and hitting something with the handle. *The thong connects to the handle via a small eyebolt to the swivel. Shown here is the progress up to finishing of the first belly(4 plait). The second belly(8 plait) will be finished as well as adding the fall, cracker(I am taking back the word). I will also be doing a braided handle(12 or 16 plait) to give a finished look. More photos(tomorrow) and a video of it in action to come(soon).
Posted on: Sun, 12 Oct 2014 07:18:13 +0000
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