Whips and Whipmaking [Paperback]

David W. Morgan (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 219 pages
• Publisher: Cornell Maritime Press; 2 edition (March 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 087033557X
• ISBN-13: 978-0870335570
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 7.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #277,991 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great view on history and whipmaking techniques, July 10, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Mexico City, Mexico) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Whips and Whipmaking: With a Practical Introduction to Braiding (Paperback)

I met Mr. Morgan after owning this book. He is a person who knows what he is talking about, either in printed or first hand information. The general view on such a beautiful craft makes you be aware of the different circumstances which led to different styles and handling. It too, helps you learn much of the basic techniques, such as braiding, paring, cutting, making knots, dee belts and hat straps. You can't make a whip from this book (let's say a finely braided kangaroo whip), but, as he states, much of whipmaking is empyrical; you have to be open-minded and try everything you have at hand to improve your skill, always trying to keep up with excellent quality. Be sure to analyze and understand his formulas for the width of strands and diameter. This is, mostly, what will lead you to good shaped thongs (though balance and appearance, tightness in braiding will be gained gradually). For those who are fond of mathematics, try to see how trygonometry is related to it (I found it out, and helps quite a lot! This does not mean that only engineers can make them, but you understand and learn faster). I'd like to recommend another book, available through Amazon.com, also. It's "How to make whips" by Ron Edwards. Eventhough I own the Australian edition, Cornell Maritime Press has made a great job by editing it for America. Anyway, I think you should buy Morgan's book first, to understand, and appreciate this craft and this book (Edwards') on the right level. Remember, if you bought the latter first, be sure to get this one! One-of-a-kind for your leather library.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book, misleading title, April 15, 2005

By 

S. Mann (Carlisle, PA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Whips and Whipmaking (Paperback)

Mr. Morgan's book is excellent for those who want to learn a variety of skills in order to hone one's leather plaiting and learn the basics behind how a whip is made. However, it does not lead one with limited experience with whips on what leads directly to making one.

For that, Ron Edwards "How to Make Whips" is much better.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent wide view of the subject, May 8, 2009

By 

Bullwinkle "Acrobatic Philosopher" (St Louis MO USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Whips and Whipmaking (Paperback)

This book is a great collection of different whips of the world, how they differ from each other and how they are used. It is a good buy for that reason alone.

It has a section that roughly describes some common whip construction techniques, but that part is not very detailed. There are other better books for that.