How to Make a Nylon Whip

Making whips is a true art form. Many people spend years perfecting their craft and these fine whips sell for hundreds or even thousands of dollars. However, you can make your own nylon whip for play or work with common everyday materials. If you find that you enjoy the craft, then you may decide to get more serious and invest more time and money in supplies and the artistic side of whip making.

Things You'll Need

• 6-foot length of 450 nylon parachute cord
• 12-inch long by 1-inch wide wooden dowel
• Carton of standard BBs
• Spool of hemp or white twine
• Polyurethane glue
• 24-inch piece of ¼-inch leather (the fall)
• 12-inch piece of ¼-inch rope (the cracker)
• Scissors

Instructions

1. Knot the end of the 24-inch piece of leather to the nylon cord. This is called the fall, and will give the suppleness required to make your whip crack.

2. Fill the inside of the hollow nylon with BBs. Leave 12 inches open for the handle. The rest should be packed fairly tight, but still be flexible.

3. Insert the handle by spreading some glue on the dowel handle. Pull the hollow nylon over the dowel. It should be tight up against the top layer of BBs. Hold it in place for a few seconds while the glue sets.

4. Using your twine, tie off the back of the nylon and cut off any excess remaining. Spread polyurethane glue over the nylon-covered dowel. Slowly wrap your twine tightly down the entire handle. The glue will hold it in place.

5. Create a bolster, comfortable stop point, at the end of the handle so that your hand doesn't slide onto the whip. Coat a 1-inch wide space on the twine with glue and wrap several layers of twine together around it. Make sure this is well glued down. After several wraps, cut the twine.

6. Let your whip dry overnight in a warm, dry place.