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Trailerboat Fisherman

West Country Whipping

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West Country Whipping is used as a binding knot, most commonly to tie off strands of rope. It is most effective when formed using waxed twine near the end of a strand of rope.

Step 1:

Step 1:

Tie an overhand knot around a rope using twine or another similar appropriate whipping material. Tighten the knot firmly.

Step 2:

Step 2:

Form another overhand knot on the opposite side of the rope. Tighten the knot firmly.

Step 3:

Step 3:

Continue to tie alternate overhand knots in this fashion until a sufficient area of the rope is covered. Form a reef knot as a stopper knot.

Step 4:

Step 4:

Tighten the reef knot to complete the West Country Whipping.

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Knots Description

West Country Whipping

West Country Whipping is used as a binding knot, most commonly to tie off strands of rope. It is formed by making a series of overhand knots which are formed on alternate sides of the rope or object. It is most effective when formed using waxed twine near the end of a strand of rope, although it can be a useful binding on any section of a rope. Ideally, the whipping should be one to one and a half times the width of the rope that it is binding over. In order to reduce the chance of the binding slipping off the rope ensure that each overhand knot is tightened firmly before the next is formed. Finish the whipping with a reef knot. Note that the reef knot is not the only option here as a stopper knot, but it is simple and lacks bulk.

About Rope Knots

Regardless of your situation at some point in your life you’ll encounter a thread, cord or rope knot. Research records of archaeologist J Wymer shows records of knots as far back as 380,000 years ago! Some of these knots are as described, as used then, on this site.

 

Your life will be made easier and safer with some knowledge of how to tie a knot.

This site holds over 250 different animated knots. That is more than most could be expected to reasonably use. However, the question still remains; for the situation you currently find yourself, which knot should you use?

It is my hope that the animated illustrations provided on this site will assist and encourage you to extend your knot tying skills.

Rope knots can basically be divided into the following groups:

  1. Bends    - Joining two lines by intertwining them, without splicing, or sewing.
  2. Hitches  - A knot that secures a rope or line to another object.
  3. Stopper  – Used to bind strands at the end of a rope to stop fraying or unraveling.
               Also formed to stop a rope slipping through a hole or to provide a weight or handhold.
  4. Bindings – Much like hitches. They are used to bind either lines or objects together. Their aim is
               to keep objects in place.
  5. Splices  – Describes the act of joining the ends, or the end and a standing part, of rope by
               interweaving strands. They are not knots in themselves.
  6. Loops    – Loops create structures used to tie, or secure, another object or line to another line.
               They can be formed at the end or midway a length of rope.
  7. Plaits   - Weaving several lines together to form a pattern and a cohesive structure.
  8. Miscellaneous & Decorative – Knots that have decorative, dress or multiple category
               characteristics.

The rope knot section of this site is set out with these groups firmly in mind.

Good luck

Andy