How to Make Whips (Bushcraft)

Mr. Edwards has written a simple to use instructional and reference book. Having worked as a professional leatherworker for 2 years, I took an interest in being able to produce additional stock for my boss' business. Having learned basic plaiting (mystery braids, 4-round, et cetera) I wanted to expand my knowledge. After doing some research I found that books on the subject were limited and Mr. Edwards and David Morgan's books were the only ones available. I went ahead and got both. Mr. Morgan's book is excellent for those who want to learn a variety of skills in order to hone one's leather plaiting. These lend well to the basics behind how a whip is made. Mr. Edward's prepares you to make your first whip shortly after opening the book. I was able to start making a whip within 2 hours of sitting down and beginning this book. It was a 4-strand stock whip with a twisted belly from which I was able to get a nice firm crack as soon as it was completed. From there it is simple to continue practicing and moving towards the more advanced plaitings. As the cover says, "All you need for a start is a piece of leather, a sharp knife, a steady hand, and some patience." This is very true.

This book adds depth to an understanding of knot and ropework if you have that understanding, and if you don't it'll still set you up with a good foundation of basic and advanced whipmaking techniques. I can see where someone with no leather or cordworking experience can pick this up and go with it. At the same time, having worked as a commercial fisherman and also as a ranch hand, I have some experience with plaiting, splicing and whipping. This book added a new layer to that understanding for me. I've made flat-braided snakewhips for several years, and while they're OK they're just not quite 'right.' Starting out with the very first lessons in this book, Mr. Edwards goes through the basics of making a fairly simple stockwhip (that can be as plain or as fancy as you wish). He builds on that grounding in technique to cover increasingly complex plaiting and knotting in a way that will have you nodding your head after a little practice and saying, "Aha! Now I understand." This book won't make you a professional whipmaker, but only practice and patience will do that. Mr. Edwards points out that pride in the craft and a willingness to do things until they're dead-on right are what can make a professional or respected amateur whipmaker. This book will give you every technique you'll need to know to make just about any kind of whip.My own interest is in plaiting whips in nylon parachute cord, so the information on selecting hides and cutting and skiving leather was not so critical for me. Though it isn't as necessary to my own understanding, if this book were merely written about how to make nylon cording whips it would be much less useful than it is. I recommend it highly (as if you couldn't tell!) along with a copy of David Morgan's "Whips and Whipmaking" which will go deeper into the history and uses of whips -- a topic not covered in detail in Mr. Edwards' volume.

I found this book an excellent source for the beginner and intermediate whip maker. I did not know how to make a whip prior to reading this book even though I had read David Morgan's Book titled "Whips and Whip Making" which does not really tell you how to make a whip. If you want to learn to make a whip. This book will definately show you how. You will keep this as your constant reference source.

Mr. Edwards teaches you every single detail you have to know to get started. You only have to really fall in love to such a beautiful craft, and you'll have half way done. Practice is important too, but you have everything to become a master whipmaker: different styles (bullwhips, redhide whips, stockwhips, shotwhips, hatbands, etc.), even a section on very complex plaiting patterns, how to make use of the hide in a proper way, and many other things which won't let you down. Absolutely recommendable.

A must for anyone interested in whip history or making whips. Has simplified by illustration and explanation. He has taken a difficult art and made it user friendly to the novice or to the master.As a master whip maker for 30 years I enjoyed it thoroughly. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in leather or plaiting. This is a real masterpiece.