Office Bricolage 2

Wire Whip

by
Nathan Walton
PsychicGoldfish.com

Materials and Tools

Parts:
  • Large Chisel Point Permanent Marker (sometimes called "jumbo" size, varies by brand)
  • Ungrounded Extension Cord (minimum 9' length)
  • Ungrounded Extension Cord (minimum 12' length)*
  • One No. 1 (Large) Ideal Clamp
  • One Small Rubber Band
  • One Medium Binder Clip
  • One Roll of 3/4" Strapping Tape
* Extension cord color is up to the builder. However, differing cord colors can be useful for keeping track of strands during the braiding process. Additionally, differing cord colors can add aesthetic appeal. The choice ultimately comes down to personal preference.

Tools:
  • One Leatherman Multi-Tool (or similar folding pliers with wire cutter)
  • One Pair of Scissors
  • Permanent Markers*
  • One Medium Binder Clip
  • One Lighter
  • One Large Paperclip
  • One Ruler
  • One Pocket Tape Measure (if available)
  • One Clipboard
  • Several Heavy Books, Catalogs, or Similar Materials (not shown)
* Permanent markers are used both for marking during construction and for coloring exposed segments of strapping tape. If available, markers of colors matching the extension cords can be used.

Construction


Completed Whip and Belt Clip
(Alternate view with 12" ruler for scale.)

The wire whip is an effective long range melee weapon constructed of commonly available electrical extension cords and other office supplies. The whip design tapers from four braided strands at the handle to one strand at the tip, providing for flexibility at the end segment (the "fall") while maintaining a measure of control at the handle end. Overall prototype whip length is 11' end-to-end. (Some variability in length should be expected from build to build, depending on how tightly the whip is braided. Refer to instructions for details.) A belt clip design is also provided for easy transport. (Follow the links for construction information.)


Whip Carried in Belt Clip

Testing


Impact Test
(Closeup View)

Impact Test: A 36" tall cylindrical target was constructed for testing the striking ability of the whip. The target core was an 18" diameter roll of 1/2" thick carpet pad. This core was covered with a 1.3 mil, 30 gallon plastic trashbag (Hefty SteelSak®). The plastic was pulled taut across the front surface and taped in place. The target was stood on end for the tests.

The test target was struck several dozen times, using a variety of techniques (underhand, overhand, sideways, backhand, and so on). Most of the test strikes did not tear the plastic, but instead imparted a strong blunt impact. This characteristic required the addition of a center post to the target, as the whip had the tendency to knock it over with even moderately strong blows. The centerpost was a piece of 3/4" PVC pipe, driven several inches into the ground. It should be noted that, after several impacts, the center post started to wobble and work loose from the dirt. The tester reported some surprise at the amount of force the whip could deliver to the target.

During testing, several rips and tears developed in the plastic (more easily seen in the closeup view). Most appeared to be the result of repeated blows to the same areas, first stretching, then breaking the plastic. Some were direct cuts created by the exposed wire on the stripped ends of the cracker. In the case of two especially good blows, small chunks of the carpet padding underneath were torn away from the roll. However, after multiple attempts, the tester was unable to reproduce the latter result.


Grappling Test

Grappling Test: A target was constructed for use in testing the grappling ability of the whip. A 36" long, 3" diameter cardboard mailing tube was firmly affixed to the side of a one gallon paint can. Additional mass, in the form of a paving brick and a 16kg "kettle bell" weight, was added to the base. This brought the overall weight of the apparatus to approximately 50lbs.

Using a fast, horizontal sweep, the end of the whip was wrapped several times around the target post. Constant tension was maintained throughout each test. It was found that the whip was consistently capable of firmly gripping, tipping over, and sometimes even dragging the test target. This is possibly due to the relatively high friction coefficient of the plastic used in the extension cord insulation.

Whip-Crack Test: After several tries, the tester was unable to produce a satisfactory whip-crack sound. This is probably due to the relative stiffness of the wires used in the cracker. However, the exposed segments of copper wire braid whistled disconcertingly during the attempts. It would be reasonable to assume that this noise would have similar deterrent value to the more conventional whip-crack.

Anecdotal Evidence: During initial experimentation, the tester (a rank amateur at whip use) struck himself several accidental blows to various portions of his anatomy. According to the tester, these incidental impacts "Hurt like a [explative deleted]." It can be assumed that if these relatively low velocity, incidental backlashes were that painful, an actual direct blow against an opponent would be quite unpleasant.

Acknowledgements

Special thanks to Donnie Walton for his instruction in the four strand round lanyard braid, and to Eva Gullion for photographic assistance.

This project would not have been possible without the inspiration and support of the Bleach Eating Freaks.