Whip Making Trade?

[Ciara]

Just a proposal for discussion. . .I know there are generic trades to make like.. steel/copper/etc., daggers/swords/etc., but I think it would be interesting for people to be able to learn from experts how to make a real customized whip.

It would probably involve them collecting the proper material, learning how to cut and polish the leathers, learning about plaiting, etc, etc. I think it would be a nifty trade to add to roleplay and all the other trades FK has so far. I've looked up a few sites on whip-making and think I could compress it into a decent trade quest. . .but I don't know, thoughts? Am I forgetting something?

[Mingus]

Or general rope making with whips when you get really good and GM with chains. Of what use are the other two, well if PC owned boats make it on, you might need a store of rope/chain/canvas/wood in you hold for repairs. Besides aiding with climb other uses for chain and rope can be thought up... and there's always the sale of them.

[Opia]

I love the idea of making whips, especially with all the religions, alright maybe just two but hey, that like them. The only problem I see with it is that with metal weapons they are definite materials, copper, titanium, etc. Same with all the other item-making trades. With whips, the leather would be easy enough, but how would you work the handles? I imagine if you wanted to make your own whip you would want it to be somewhat unique, and I don't know how unique you could get with this code without applying for every whip or something similar..just my thoughts. Perhaps they will just be plain metal, leather, or bone handles-that could work. Great idea!


Opia

[Andreas]

As a whip maker IRL, I can personally attest to the difficulty in mastering the techniques. I've been at it for a few years now and my herringbone plaiting is still less what I consider commercial quality. The whips I make are either of nylon masory cord or high impact parachute cord, both of which behave quite differently from each other when working. I haven't become brave enough to put out the money for kangaroo hide (which happens to make the best whips) for leather whips.

The handles of the whips I make are self incorporated. By self incorporated, the strands that make up the belly of the whip itself also comprise the handle. Because nylon is such a lightweight material, I don't need to shot load the handles. I figure if I get into leather, I will need to rethink this because of the weight of that material. Purists would call my whips snake whips or signal whips because they lack a true handle that is found in the bull whip or stock whip.

Those whips that do have handles, it is usually lathe turned wood with shot or plug molded weight that is covered over with the whip material (usually leather). Turks' Head knots are the most popular "capping" knots and a true PAIN to master.... I'm getting better, but they still look... lopsided at times. The more plaits, the higher the quality of whip. Also, a double-plaited belly is of better quality than a single-plaited belly.

All that said, I think Whip Making would be a fantastic trade addition to the game.

[Mingus]

So the nylon ones you're making are like long a quirt, or atleast grip is like that of a quirts?

Since you know so much about the craft, try to list from least to most hard of making whips. From the few that I can recall, and please if you know of any more classes and styles do insert them, there's the quirt(riding whip) Cat-o-nine tails, Bull whip, a scourge(flogging whip though I'm pretty sure you can flog with any of them) Those are all I can recall. If this does become a trade, you need a scale from what you do as an apprentice to what a master does can make.(not just quality but actuall effort and know how)

I know its not the same style of braiding but would you think as something the inept would do, say, start out making ropes?? Later splicing ropes...Maybe make rope/line weapons and then get into making whips?

[Andreas]

As I said in my original post, the whips I make would be considered signal whips or snake whips since they don't have any other material added in for a handle.

For the most part, I use a combination of macrame, marlinspikemanship (go Navy! lol) and plaiting to make my whips. They are quite durable and can be hand or machine washed. Best of all, they crack!

[Selveem]

Just out of curiosity, is this ever available in weaponsmithing? I don't think I've seen this yet.

[Athon]

I think it would be a fun add and hopefully not too terribly difficult to add.

Make the required material be leather from leather workers and we could see some added RP between weapon smiths and skinners (as well as a higher demand in leather).