Double-perfect Whipped Paracord Staff Hand-grip

Whipping is the traditional way of binding the end of a rope to prevent it fraying.  Synthetic cords can be melted, but natural fibres need whipping, and melting is ugly.

Whipping can also be used to create hand-grips on walking sticks.


This is my own variation on a method known as "perfect whipping".  As far as I am aware, this is unique.

Step 1: Materials

The exact amount of paracord you need depends on the length of the grip you want, and the diameter of the stick you are using.

I used about three metres each of 2mm and 4mm cords.

The only tools you need to do the actual whipping are your hands, and a pair of pliers with a slightly-serrated face.

Comments

[canemaker49]

this looks like something similar that the japanese use to bind the flutes they make. i like to use bamboo to make walking canes but bamboo cracks and that is a problem. i found this site i hope will help strengthen the bamboo. binding is tedious but very cool. nice job on the ible. i like it. here is the site:

http://www.navaching.com/shaku/binding.html

[Kiteman]

Thank you for that link.

[bigdan35]

I love this. I've been thinking about doing something with a massive stick which I acquired a while back whilst walking through the wilderness (it was just too good and too good looking to leave there, all alone). I cannot wait to get my order of paracord through to do this.

[Kiteman]

Cool - post a picture when it's done.

[thebeef2]

 Can you do this with a single cord or does it have to be double?

[Kiteman]

Single cord is much more common - as far as I know, I'm the first to do it double.

[Vick Jr]

I like how it looks, and how it implements a handle and strap in one. It's also very comfortable.

However, I did notice that if you twist it against the way it was wound, it will get looser.
Also, i am wondering if there's a way to make the strap tighten when pulled on, or to have no (visible) knots in the strap, and just have the string go in at the top and out at the bottom.
Oh, and is there any way to do something like this with only one piece of cord?

[Kiteman]

One cord: yes.  Just use one cord...

I'm not sure about hiding the knots, unless you lay a loop of cord against the stick and hide the ends with the binding...?

Twisting - if you wrap it tight enough (pull hard so your fingers hurt) it shouldn't.

[NachoMahma]

.  Great job! I really like how you used two different colo(u)red wires to illustrate the sheet bend. All the background clutter in the pictures is interesting but rather distracting.

[Kiteman]

Is this better?

[NachoMahma]

.  Dang! That's almost professional looking.Most excellent.

[Kiteman]

Er, thank you?

[NachoMahma]

.  Er, you're welcome.
.  It was supposed to be a compliment - any DIYer that is doing a close-to-professional job must be doing things right.

[Kiteman]

I know - that was supposed to be humour.

[NachoMahma]

.  As with a lot of British humor, that one went

[Kiteman]

And that's American humour - three seconds of noise, 15 seconds of applause.

[NachoMahma]

.  ROFL  How else will those of us watching at home know when to laugh?

[RadBear]

That's not clutter! It's ambiance to inspire the creative mind. :)

[Kiteman]

No, it's clutter.

[jamiec53]

Haha! That made me laugh a lot.

[Kiteman]

The wire photo is from an old Instructable.

You're right about the clutter - this was the first time in the shed for quite some time, and it had sort of accumulated junk over the Winter.  I need to get myself a new cutting mat, and spend a couple of hour clearing the shed out.

[tevers94]

there is a paracord contest, you should enter this

[Kiteman]

I have - I'm just waiting to be accepted.

[tevers94]

same do you know how long it takes, because i entered one like 3-4 days ago but it says pending or something

[Kiteman]

Mine went in today, after being entered over the weekend - the staff need time off as well...

[tevers94]

same with my key fob

[Blainer]

 Thank you for posting this Kiteman.  It is particularly useful to me since I also make custom walking sticks with string wrapped handles.  I've been experimenting with different methods of wrapping and found a related method that I like.  Instead of wrapping straight on each course, I use a "half knot" on each one ( in other words, I pass the cord under itself then over for the next course).  Because this method puts tension on the cord in one direction, it results in a nice spiral pattern and has the additional advantage that if you stop you will not lose all tension on the cord.  Using this method on paracord might result in a knot that is too large, but it works well in smaller cords.  2 examples in photos.
I also like the way you have incorporated the retainer cord into the string wrap.

[Kiteman]

I tried something like the second wrap.  It worked, but the spiral proved to be uncomfortable.

[Kryptonite]

Awesome piece of rope work!

I'm just curious for the benefits of the two ropes?

[Kiteman]

Mainly for the look, but also because (as far as I've been able to find) nobody else has done this.

If you ever see a two-cord wrap, check the publishing date...

[Kryptonite]

Fair enough, nice job. I plan on enterring a usb related paracord entry. Also original!

[JohnJY]

 Psst: click the link!

[Kiteman]

I entered already, but it's moderated - I have to wait for a human to say "yes".

[JohnJY]

 Oh, sorry, didn't know! 

[TweakGeek1]

An idea, it might be nice to add "ranger beads" to the walking stick as well.  I wish it was my original idea, but it isn't so I'm glad to share it here!  I could see it would really come in handy.  I'll have to add this to my 'shroomin stick because mushroom season is just around the corner.

[Kiteman]

There are all sorts of things you could do.  I was making it for my youngest, so I finished it the way he wanted.

[TweakGeek1]

Very understandable!  Just thinking of ideas.  Would be a good project for scouts and adding the ranger beads would give them a great chance to learn orienteering. 

I'm going to try this project sometime soon.  I'll post pics when I get the chance.

Thanks!

[Kiteman]

Cool, you're welcome!

[LuminousObject]

That is pretty unique, I'll have to try it.

[Kiteman]

Post a picture when you do.