West Country whipping

1. Tie an overhand knot around the rope.
2. Tighten.
3. Tie an overhand knot on the other side of the rope.
4. Tighten.
5. Tie another overhand knot in the front.
6. Tie another overhand knot in the back.
7. Continue until the length of whipping is 1.5 times the diameter of the rope.
8. Tie left handed overhand knot.
9. Tie right handed overhand knot to create reef knot.
10. Tighten.
11. Trim the ends.

Description

The West Country Whipping is a quick practical method of using twine to secure the end of a rope to prevent it fraying. It has several advantages: it can be tied without a needle; it is simple to understand and remember; if the whipping fails, the loose ends can usually be re-tied to temporarily prevent the rope’s end from fraying.

Use

Used as a simple and easy to learn whipping.

Security

The final square knot may become undone followed by overhand knots. However, this happens slowly as overhand knots fail in sequence and there is opportunity to repair the knot.
For added security you can start the whipping with the constrictor knot.

Tying

Half hitches are tied alternately behind and in front of the rope until the width of the band of twine approaches the diameter of the rope. A reef (square) knot, or better a series of reef knots, completes the whipping. If a needle is available this string of reef knots can be pulled
through the rope to bury the ends.