Whip Making Group Course
Come and learn the Beautiful Technique of Plaiting.
It is hard to credit one culture over another for the development of the whip, we do know that whips were symbols of status in Egypt over 5000 years ago, so it is not a new thing.
But what can be said with some certainty… whips are cool!
Whips are, in the main, known for being made from leather, all types of leather have been used over the years but more recently, Kangaroo has become the popular choice due to its exceptionally high tensile strength.
Making a whip from Kangaroo is quite a complex and expensive process, the hide needs to be prepared in a very specific way, it needs to be cut into a consistent lace, stretched, Â straightened, split, tapered, and bevelled.
It is only after all of this that it can be plaited.
We are going to cover a wide range of techniques on this course, you will learn the following:
How to Prepare your Handle
How to Load a Whip
How to Build your Core
How to Bolster
How to Bind
How to drop and add Laces
How to plait in groups, useful when using a larger number of laces, 8, 12, 16 etc.
How to  measure the correct amount of lace required for each stage.
How to calculate how many laces are required for each stage.
How to make a Fall
How to make a Cracker
How tie a Ball Knot
How to tie a Transition Knot
Tuesday 23rd to Friday 26th September 2025 - 9am - 4pm
8 Spaces Available
£800 Per Person
This is a detailed and technique filled course
Crack on andBook your place Now!
Learning how to prepare the leather as well as the techniques required to make the whip is very time consuming. So in this course, I am going to teach you the techniques using nylon.
If you enjoy this course and want to move onto the leather, this can be covered in another course.
My advice is to start with this one first, you need to know what to do with the leather before you invest the time and cost required in preparing the leather for a whip.
Nylon is surprisingly well suited to making whips, it is exceptionally strong, it looks when done and above all, works in exactly the same way as leather.
On this course, you will be working on a 4ft Bullwhip. A shorter whip is both an advantage in construction, and easier to handle once made.
It will then have the fall and cracker added giving you a total length of 6ft.
I know, why not just call it a 6ft whip, that just not how they are measured.
Who is this course for
People with Patience, nimble fingers and a love of fine detail.
Absolutely no previous experience with whips is required.
Evidently, if you have some, can crack a whip or tie complex knots that will be a bonus.
Everything you need to know is covered in the course.
What is included
During your day, all materials, tools and sundries are supplied to enable you to get the most from your day.
There are no additional costs or fees.
If you have your own tools please feel free to bring them along. Â Nigel will be more than happy to offer any advice on use and technique so you can get the most from them.
Lunch
During the day, there is an endless supply of Tea and coffee but lunch is not provided, so please bring your own. There is a fridge and a Microwave for use.
The Green Door Bakery which provided a wide selection of Rolls, Baguettes and Cakes is only 0.4m miles away.
Location
All group courses take place in the workshop of Armitage Leather Ltd, contact details can be found here: Contact
You will also receive a map and location details at the time of booking.
The course runs from 9am to 4pm with a break for lunch at 12:30
Accommodation
There is the Golden Cup in Yoxall: It has mixed reviews about the food and staff, so I’ll leave that with you.
Finally, there is Poppies Barn just up the road, another Airbnb. It is local to the workshop and has good reviews, again, it can be booked through this link: AirbnbÂ
A wider Google Search will reveal many more options.
Travel
Burton Train Station is 8 miles (16 minuets) from the workshop with Taxi Services running to and from the station.Â
Lichfield Town Centre is 9.5 miles away and Uttoxeter is 11 miles.Â
The recommended way to get to the workshop and by far the easiest is by car. There is not direct bus service to speak of.
Cancellation Policy
If you have booked a course and need to cancel, you are able to do so at any point up to 14 days prior to the course to be eligible for a full refund.
If you need to cancel within 14 days of the course, no refund will be given but alternative dates will be offered. Should you be unable to attend or have to cancel within 24hours of the course. alternative dates will be offered at a 50% reduction of the original course.
If you do think you will be unable to make it, please let me know as soon as possible.
