Page 78 - Des Pawson "Pocket Guide to Knots & Splices"

West Country Whipping

First described by George
Biddlecombe in The Art of

Rigging in 1848, the
best use for this whipping

is to hold together the ends
of a large rope or cable.
The very first knot stops

any movement of the rope
ends. The series of

overhand knots tied
round the rope, working
back from the end and

finished off with a reef
knot, ensures that,

should the whipping
start to come
undone, it will take

a good while before
failing completely—

and the loose ends of
the whipping will
Pocket Guide to Knots & Splices
draw attention to the
problem so it can be

repaired before any
harm can occur.