Whips and Whipmaking

Rating:
Summary: A great view on history and whipmaking techniques
Review: I met Mr. Morgan after owning this book. He is a person who knows what he is talking about, either in printed or first hand information. The general view on such a beautiful craft makes you be aware of the different circumstances which led to different styles and handling. It too, helps you learn much of the basic techniques, such as braiding, paring, cutting, making knots, dee belts and hat straps. You can't make a whip from this book (let's say a finely braided kangaroo whip), but, as he states, much of whipmaking is empyrical; you have to be open-minded and try everything you have at hand to improve your skill, always trying to keep up with excellent quality. Be sure to analyze and understand his formulas for the width of strands and diameter. This is, mostly, what will lead you to good shaped thongs (though balance and appearance, tightness in braiding will be gained gradually). For those who are fond of mathematics, try to see how trygonometry is related to it (I found it out, and helps quite a lot! This does not mean that only engineers can make them, but you understand and learn faster). I'd like to recommend another book, available through Amazon.com, also. It's "How to make whips" by Ron Edwards. Eventhough I own the Australian edition, Cornell Maritime Press has made a great job by editing it for America. Anyway, I think you should buy Morgan's book first, to understand, and appreciate this craft and this book (Edwards') on the right level. Remember, if you bought the latter first, be sure to get this one! One-of-a-kind for your leather library.

Rating:
Summary: A great view on history and whipmaking techniques
Review: I met Mr. Morgan after owning this book. He is a person who knows what he is talking about, either in printed or first hand information. The general view on such a beautiful craft makes you be aware of the different circumstances which led to different styles and handling. It too, helps you learn much of the basic techniques, such as braiding, paring, cutting, making knots, dee belts and hat straps. You can't make a whip from this book (let's say a finely braided kangaroo whip), but, as he states, much of whipmaking is empyrical; you have to be open-minded and try everything you have at hand to improve your skill, always trying to keep up with excellent quality. Be sure to analyze and understand his formulas for the width of strands and diameter. This is, mostly, what will lead you to good shaped thongs (though balance and appearance, tightness in braiding will be gained gradually). For those who are fond of mathematics, try to see how trygonometry is related to it (I found it out, and helps quite a lot! This does not mean that only engineers can make them, but you understand and learn faster). I'd like to recommend another book, available through Amazon.com, also. It's "How to make whips" by Ron Edwards. Eventhough I own the Australian edition, Cornell Maritime Press has made a great job by editing it for America. Anyway, I think you should buy Morgan's book first, to understand, and appreciate this craft and this book (Edwards') on the right level. Remember, if you bought the latter first, be sure to get this one! One-of-a-kind for your leather library.

Rating:
Summary: A one-of-a-kind, information packed resource
Review: Now in its second edition, revised with additional information concerning whips made in the Mongol tradition and the evolution of whip design in general, Whips And Whipmaking is a straightforward, easy-to-follow guide and to the art of leather braiding to create whips for performance or sport use. Black-and-white photographs and an extensive discussion of the lore, history, and quirks of whips through the centuries make Whips And Whipmaking a one-of-a-kind, information packed resource.