Uses: The Sailmaker's Whipping (
ABOK # 3446, p 547) is the most secure whipping. The whipping turns are contained by the frapping turns which both grip the rope and prevent the whipping from unwinding if damaged. It looks most satisfying when applied to the end of a three-strand rope - each pair of frapping strands follows the twist of the rope and is accommodated in the groove. This whipping can be used equally well on braided or kernmantle rope - but greater care is required to distribute the frapping turns evenly round the whipping.
Techniques: There are several variations of this whipping:
- Needles: With three stranded rope, this whipping can often be tied without a needle: the strands of the rope can be opened up by hand to pass the twine through between them. However, a large needle makes the task easier and is essential equipment when tying a Sailmaker's Whipping round a braided or kernmantle rope.
- Number of Frapping Turns: Many texts describe this whipping with just one frapping strand lying in each groove - which necessitates a different start to the whipping. As shown above, the short end is initially threaded diagonally and is wound inside the whipping. When using a single frapping turn, the short end must be left outside the whipping turns and then threaded up outside the whipping and through the rope to trap the long end.
- Completing the Whipping: The animation above describes finishing the knot with a buried reef knot. In practice, I usually tie a stack of multiple reef knots and then pull this chain of half hitches through the rope with a needle so that they are thoroughly buried and very unlikely to shake loose.
- Burning the end: A rope's end, whipped with a Sailmaker's and neatly trimmed is a neat and attractive work of art. Its beauty is undoubtedly diminished by then burning the end. Nevertheless, burning the end is sensible, provides additional protection, and is recommended. For ropes with an aramid core, e.g., Kevlar, which will not melt, it is still worth doing as it still seals the sheath. Ideally, trim back the aramid core shorter than the sheath and then burn the sheath to cover and bury the core.
- Braided Rope: It is relatively easy to decide where to thread the twine in three stranded rope - the gap between each of the three strands provides a natural target and the three strands dictate that one pair of frapping turns will lie in each groove. In braided rope the principle is the same, the frapping turns should be distributed evenly round the rope. However, in smaller braided ropes, it is not uncommon to see just two sets of frapping turns 180 degees apart instead of three sets 120 degrees apart. For larger, and more valuable rope, three sets are strongly recommended.
