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Chapter 9 Knots and Ropes 155

secured. There are several ways to secure the ends of Whipping is wrapping a small diameter cord around the
rope. One is to apply tape around each end, leaving ends of cotton rope to prevent fraying. A thick kitchen
¼–½ inches of rope sticking out; a quick pass through a string or lightweight nylon cord about 12–24 inches long
candle or disposable lighter flame will melt the ends is needed in order to give you a deep enough whip.
together and prevent fraying (Figure 9.6). The tape can 1. Start on one end of the rope with unfinished ends.
be removed after the ends are melted to facilitate it Make a bight in the center of the whipping cord.
being passed through a ring or loop. A temporary fix is Place it on alongside the rope with the bight
wrapping the ends tightly with tape; however, tape adjacent to the end of the rope.
becomes brittle over time and often slips off. A simple 2. Use long end of the whipping cord to begin tightly
overhand knot tied at the end of the rope will also pre- encircling the rope and the bight of the whipping
vent unraveling (Figure 9.6). Unfortunately, the thick- cord about 2 inches from the end of the rope
ness of the tape and the overhand knot may prevent the (Figure 9.8). Place each wrap adjacent to each
insertion of it through small loops while tying a knot. other, without a space between the wraps or wrinkles
A third technique of securing an end is to whip it with
smaller cords. This is called whipping (Figure 9.7). or twists in the cord. Wrap toward the end of the
rope until you have all but ½ inch of the rope
covered with the whipping cord. You should be close
to the bight. Stop wrapping and put the end of the
whipping cord through the bight at the end of the
rope.
3. Pull the other end of the whipping cord left free at
the beginning of the wraps until the bight and the
wrapping end of the cord are pulled under the
wraps, about half the length of the wrapped cord
(Figure 9.9).
4. Trim the end of the cord used to pull the bight
under the wraps close to the first wrap, then trim
the rope within ¼ inch of the end (Figure 9.10).
FIGURE 9.5 Examples of types of ropes.

FIGURE 9.6 Melted and tied ends of nylon rope.

FIGURE 9.7 Start of whipping. FIGURE 9.8 Wrapping the whipping cord.