View Full Version : Whipped end vs. knotted end?
I'm in the middle of sewing another (third this week) and I am trying to figure out the pros and cons of the whipped in and the knotted end. Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe the Speer hammocks are all knotted at the end? And most other homemade hammocks (Zhammock, etc...) are whipped.
I can do either, I doubt one is harder to do than the other.... but what are the real differences between the two?
Just Jeff
05-14-2006, 01:39
I suspect whipped ends are a fraction of an ounce lighter and marginally less bulky. Probably not enough to make any real difference.
I like whipped ends so I can undo the hammock and change how the ends are folded if I want to, or I can redo the sides if I don't like how tight they are, etc.
Not much difference one way or the other, IMO...just personal preference.
papa john
05-14-2006, 08:40
The knotted ends require extra fabric that can be used for a roomier hammock using a whipped ends (according to Risk).
Just Jeff
05-14-2006, 11:09
I agree with that. By whipping the ends, you can use less material for the same size hammock and save a little weight, or you can keep the weight the same and have a roomier hammock.
I've tried both, while i agree that the knot is slighter larger and takes up more material, it's also simplier imho and you dont have to worry about slippage. granted, i probably didnt pull the whipping tight enough, because i had some slippage on my silk hammock.. or maybe it was just because the material was thin and slick and it made me kind of nervous, so i whipped the ends, then took the excess material and folded it over the whipping and did a short whipping over that. probably overkill, but wanted to make sure.
mike!
I found this site tonight:
http://raysbeambots.solarbotics.net/knots/easyhammock.htm
IMHO this looks like the best of both worlds. It's almost like a knot (with less fabric, plus it has all the advantages of a whipped end... all in a single piece of rope.
He has a video (5 parts) up that will show you how to do it... I just did it tonight and it took a whole five minutes to finish. I am on my way outside to try it out right now.
Let me know what you guys think of his knot/whip.
Frolicking Dinosaurs
05-15-2006, 07:24
Excellent method. Thanks for sharing this, subigo.
I must say, after trying this last night I think a lot of people will be using this method. It was very stable, didn't use too much fabric, and I was able to take it apart to pull a little more fabric through with no problem.
I'm not sure who Ray is, but he obviously reads this forum. If you ever see this, thanks for the great idea.
Whipping produces a more durable end and on sailing ship rigging is the ONLY acceptable way to treat a rope's end. Of course ropes there get more mistreatment than a hammock rope.
Mouse,
That's what I thought they were talking about also. It's wipping the end of the hammock fabric almost like whip finnishing a line, but different. Peace J.J.B.
Subigo...good video. But what size rope is used for whipping? The stuff in the video looks large. How about the REI 6mm or 8 mm rope rated for something like 1400 pounds? What is parachute cord?
Just Jeff
05-16-2006, 11:13
Nothing fancy needed...boot laces work just fine. I guess shoe laces would work but I don't like cotton.
Parachute it what I usually use since I have some on hand. It's nylon cord that connects a parachute to the harness (the backpack part of a parachute). It also called 550 cord b/c it's rated to 550 lbs, and it's stretchy to absorb the parachute's opening shock. You can't stretch it by hand like elastic, but if you use it for hammock supports it stretches quite a bit. It's also a bit weak for hammock supports...I broke one once.
It's pretty useful b/c it has a nylon sheath that covers several "inner core" strands that provide the strength. You can remove an inner core for other stuff, and even take the inner core apart for dental floss or sewing thread. So taking a few feet is very versatile.