End Whipping Material?

[Atlas918]

The girlfriend and myself are going to try out hand at some DIY hammocks. We're going to follow the double layer guide on backwoods daydreamer.

The question I have is: what cord to use when it comes to whipping the hammock. Do I have to use something like amsteel, or would spare paracord work?

Thanks!

[Caveman]

Anything will work. I've used paracord, zip ties, amsteel. The strain will be applied to the suspension, not the whipping.

[Stargaze]

I used some guy line I had kicking around. One end is reflective the other isn't. One of these days I will make the ends match.

[vinny]

I've used 1.75mm climbing cord on mine, because i had it.
Paracord will work, even old shoelaces/zipties will work..

[bowl-maker]

No whipping...tie the end in an overhand knot after you finish gathering it ,, no muss, no fuss, super strong attachment point for the suspension

[gargoyle]

No whipping.

Back when whipping was necessary, the lines/ropes/strings available had lots of stretch. The whipping process helped combat the main suspension stretching/slipping. The whipping process allowed the suspension lines to grip the ends of the hammock's bundled fabric.

Today, that is not needed, IMO.

Modern cordage (amsteel) can simply be larksheaded to the hammock, as long as there is a hem at the ends in the fabric.

Bundle or fold your hammock as you normally would. Then secure the bundle with a larksheaded whoopie or continuous loop. Cinch the larkshead firmly. I recommend a double wrap. Once you weight the hammock, the larksheads will become firmly seated and be set tight enough that they will need a bit of attention to undo.

Eliminating the whipping reduces weight, allows more fabric to be used, and is cheaper. I also think its looks cleaner vs a large wrap at the ends of the hammock.

If your bundling the ends as wb does (small channeled ends with a drawstring), any light string will do. Paracord is overkill, imo. But use what you got. You can always trade it out later. Then larkshead with amsteel-type line.
hyoh

[gargoyle]

No whipping...tie the end in an overhand knot after you finish gathering it ,, no muss, no fuss, super strong attachment point for the suspension

Knotting the fabric works, but it is a huge waste of available fabric.
hyoh

[Roadrunnr72]

I have not done the full whipping. But have done the Knotty gathered end, and use a small piece of mason line to hold the end tight.......RR

[Daemeos]

I used 550 paracord, got a 50' section of it from Home Depot for $3