to whip or not to whip?

**barracuda** · 03-22-2017, 19:36

Hi! I'm new to the site also hammock camping. I just finished my fist DIY hammock. I ran the whoopie sling through the sewn ends twice. Originally I ran the sling under some whipping to reinforce the ends but I noticed the ENO type hammocks just rely on the sewn end. Is it overkill to use whipping? I removed it today and it seemed fine as far as strength. Any Ideas? I'd appreciate any input. Thanks!

**Andy "Bull" Bullock** · 03-22-2017, 19:47

I went through the same process as yourself. I didn't like how the whipping shortened the hammock so I stuck with the sewn channel. However I think my next hammock I won't sew the channel and just whip it....whip it real good.

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**Tikker** · 03-22-2017, 22:03

imo you either use the sewn channel, or whip

doing both seems overkill

whipping allows you to slightly tinker with the lay compared to using the channel (you can pull the edges a little tighter)
you can also produce slightly different ridges within the hammock lay with different ways of folding/bunching the end when you whip it

**johnspenn** · 03-23-2017, 05:10

Appropriate...

**OneClick** · 03-23-2017, 09:33

^ ah beat me to it!

**barracuda** · 03-23-2017, 10:02

Thanks for the replies. I think I'll stick with the sewn channel since I do get a little more length and better lay. I just gotta trust my sewing skills!

**cougarmeat** · 03-23-2017, 18:36

Belt and suspenders guy that I am, I'd go through the channel twice (ENO style), then whip and feed the end through the center of the GE. My concern was, with just one loop through the channel, I'm relying solely on the stitching. If I go through the channel twice, the loops grab the hammock material more (in my mind anyway), so I'm then relying on the strength of the hammock material - not so much the stitching. And the whipping is to assure I'm using the hammock material. In that case, my trip through the channel is just to make a bunch/knob that I whip up against. Also, I might have been concerned that just looping through the channel would loosen up and re-grab with each outing. The whipping would be a "one time" tightening.

But because this is a commercial hammock, I should trust Dutch's triple stitching and just go with the two loops in the channel and be done with it.

**Ranc0r** · 03-24-2017, 07:41

My theory is that I can inspect my whipping and CL every time I set up, but I can't do a decent job of inspecting the stitching without un-gathering. So, in the same vein as braces and buckles, I whip and lark's head the CL beneath the whipping. I also don't trim the ends of the whipping too short, so I can re-wrap my whippings whenever I feel the need. I have lots of rope grabbing lots of material and I can inspect for wear or slipping at every turn. Helps me sleep well.

**bowl-maker** · 03-24-2017, 08:23

I have become a fan of just tying the end of the hammock into a single overhand knot, and looping a larks head of the suspension behind the knot. Easy to do, and provides quite a strong mechanical joint that doesn't rely on whipping or stitching for integrity.

**Tugboater203** · 03-25-2017, 07:35

So if I'm planning on a Ripstop by the roll DIY and was going to whip it then I could leave it at the 12' length it comes in and should be fine? Could I use the Amsteel from the kit to whip it rather than something else?