The West Country Whipping is a simple way to secure the end of the rope to prevent it from fraying.
It consists of a series of Half Knots tied alternately behind and in front of the rope and secured in the end with one or more Square Knots.
The best part?
If the whipping fails, it does not fail all at once, and you can fix it right on the spot.
Let’s learn it in detail.
West County Whipping Details
Type: Whipping Knots
Other Names: Half Knot Whipping
ABoK Reference: #3458
How to Tie a West Country Whipping Knot
- Pass the rope around the rope and tie a Half Knot in front.
- Take the ends behind the rope and tie another Half Knot there.
- Continue making Half Knots in front and behind.
- Tie a Square Knot to finish off the whipping.
- Trim off the excess ends.
Pro Tips
- Make the length of the whipping about one and a half times the diameter of the rope. That’s usually just right.
- Want a little extra security? Start off with the Constrictor Knot instead of the Half Knot. It works as the last defence if the whole thing unravels.
- Most people wrap the whipping outwards towards the end. But if you wrap it inward, you can tuck the end through the body of the rope. This makes the knot last longer, and it helps stop the Square Knot from coming undone.
Application and Uses
The West Country Whipping is used on synthetic ropes when you want to temporarily prevent the rope from fraying.
But that’s not all. It can be used as a grip wrap to cover an object like:
- Knife handle
- Bike handlebars
- Hiking sticks.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Simple to understand and remember
- Does not unravel quickly and can be retied again
- No need to unlay the rope
- Does not require any special tools.
Cons
- Can slip off easily
- Not suitable for heavy pulling or load-bearing jobs.
Other Whipping Knots
Common Whipping Knot
The Common Whipping is the most basic whipping knot.
It’s easy to tie but not super strong. It should only be used for temporary whipping and for decorative purposes.
Sailmaker’s Whipping Knot
The Sailmaker’s Whipping is probably the yardstick of the whipping knots.
It’s the most secure of the whipping knots, but is harder to understand and remember compared to the West Country Whipping.
If you need a long-lasting whipping, this is the one to practice later on.
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