West Country whipping | |
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Category | Whipping |
Related | Sailmaker's whipping |
Typical use | Whipping |
ABoK | #3458 |
The West Country Whipping is a quick practical method of using twine to secure the end of a rope to prevent it fraying. It has several advantages: it can be tied without a needle; it is simple to understand and remember; if the whipping fails, the loose ends can usually be re-tied to temporarily prevent the rope's end from fraying.
Contents |
Half hitches are tied alternately behind and in front of the rope until the width of the band of twine approaches the diameter of the rope. A reef (square) knot, or better a series of reef (square) knots, completes the whipping. If a needle is available this string of reef (square) knots can be pulled through the rope to bury the ends. Alternatively, a short bight of another rope can be laid first and used to pull the rope ends through. If the rope is a stranded rope, the ends can usually be pulled through without a needle.
The Sailmaker's Whipping is the yardstick for comparison. It is the most durable because the turns are wrapped with frapping turns which are threaded through the rope. However, it requires a needle and is harder to understand and remember.
Burning the Rope's End: The end of many synthetic ropes can be melted using heat, e.g., a flame. While this is simple and quick, it tends to fail in ropes subject to heavy use. Ideally a rope's end should be both melted (if applicable) and whipped. Burning the end of a rope can also lead to sharp edged fractures over time and when the rope is pulled under pressure though one's hands, then this might result in a hand laceration.