Glossary of whip terms.
Belly - Is the insides of the whip.
This is the most important part of the whip. It is what gives the whip
it's density. If this part of the whip is not made correctly the whip
will not be good. A whip is only as good as it's belly. No matter what
it looks like on the outside.
Double Plaited Belly - A "Double
Plaited Belly" starts
with a rolled or plaited core. Then plaited
layer #1 and a "bolster" is added. Over top of that another
plaited layer with a higher number of laces and another bolster. This
whip within a whip design forms the "double plaited belly" of
the bullwhip.
Bolster - A "bolster" is a precisely
fitted and tapered strip of leather that wraps around the belly of
a whip.
Overlay - The "overlay" or outer layer of
laces that is plaited over the belly. It's he layer you see.
Fall - This is the removable piece of
un-braided leather that is attached to the end of the fall on bullwhips,
snake whips,
and stock whips. It is where the cracker/popper is tied on.
Handle - On a bullwhip or stock whip
this is the solid part of the whip you hold on to. On a snake whip
or signal whip it is still the place you hold on to but it is flexible
and usually is plaited with a single diamond plait.
Popper/Cracker - The part of the whip
that makes the sound on the whip. On bullwhips, stock whips and snake
whips it is attached to the fall and can be easily replaced. On a signal
whip it is braided in and has to be replaced by a whip maker.
Wrist Loop - A braided loop usually
attached to the heel knot typically on signal whips and snake whips.
Heel Knot - The knot at the end of the
handle.
Junction Knot - The knot that separates
the thong and the handle on a bullwhip.
Keeper - The loop of leather on a stock
whip that the thong is attached to. This is also on the same as the
keeper on the stock whip thong.
Fall Keeper Knot - The knot that holds
the fall onto the thong of the whip usually it consists of several
overhand knots however some whip makers use avery intricate knot called
snake head knot.
Wrap - This is when the fall of the
whip and in some cases the thong wraps around an object like a tree
or someone's arm or body.
Cutting - Usually having to to do with
cutting targets like sheets of newspaper or other targets.
Plait - Pronounced "plat" not "plate".
The term whip makers use for braiding. It means the same thing. It
is also
the
term
used
to
describe
the number of lace ie; 4 plait, 8 plait, 12 plait, 16 plait etc.
Four Seam Plait - Also called a whip
makers braid/plait. It is a braid consisting of four seams as opposed
to a herring bone plait which consists of eight seams. It is the most
common type of plait used on the thong of the whip.
Red Hide - An Alum tanned hide used
for falls. In the US it is called Latigo.
White Hide - Partially tanned rawhide
used for falls. Usually those found in Australia.
