Common Whipping

[fluffc]

Recently I was looking through a 1930's book on "Knots, splices and fancywork". It is full of information on all kinds of knots that I hadn't heard of or used in a while.

One of the articles that struck me was on the formation of a Common Whipping.

Having been used to what must be the "modern" method, whereby a loop is made in the twine that is later used to pull through the bitter end towards the end of the process, I was interigued by this method:

+ Lay about 1" of the standing part of the twine so that it runs alongside the bitter end of the rope, with the end of the standing part level with the bitter end of the rope.

+ Wrap six turns of the twine around the rope, back towards the bitter end (of the rope), trapping the standing part of the twine in the process.

+ At this point, form a loop from the remaining end of twine, laying the bitter end (of the twine) over the turns already formed (plus an inch or two).

+ Now continue to take another dozen turns with the twine, trapping the bitter end of the loop as you do so. (Takes a bit of jiggery-pokery as you have to untwist the loop each turn)

+ Then pull the bitter end of the twine tight, collapsing the loop as you do so.

+ Tidy up the loose ends, and hey presto a "Common Whipping"

Has anyone else come across this method; and is this the correct method? In my opinion it is more secure than the "Modern" method.



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[Evadne]

I think what you call the "modern" method is what Ashley calls the "American" method. I don't have the book to hand, but I'm sure someone will look it up and correct me if I'm wrong.
If security is paramount I'd always use a sewn whipping (on 3-strand) or a West country whipping, the latter being, basically, a series of overhand knots.


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[Peterduck]

To lock a common whipping [they occasionally come undone, usually when you can least attend to them] you could do worse that melt some beeswax into the whipping. Just put some small flakes on the whipping, blow a hot air gun [low setting] over the work, and the wax will melt into the whipping. Do it all around the whipping.
Peter.

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[Mirelle]

I think you must be right, but it is many years since I put a common whipping on anything. By the time you have got the spool of twine out you might as well get the palm and needle out and do a proper job, I find.

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[roly_voya]

A trick I was shown by a professional leather worker for stitching which works just as well on whippings - if you are using synthetic thread is to leave a 1/4" tail, touch a lighter to it till it melts and wipe into the thread with your thumb, locks anything and is neat

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[snowleopard]

i was taught the same method but for security, join the ends of the twine with a reef knot and push it through the whipping so it is buried in a contline of the rope.

this method was described to me as a lazy alternative if you can't be bothered to go below for the needle and palm.

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