TWO WAYS TO WHIP ROPE ENDS

Using heat alone is an inadequate method for sealing your ropes – discerning sailors ensure they're whipped one of these two ways...

- ALAN BARWELL

With synthetic ropes, it's tempting just to seal the cut ends with a hot-knife or simply an open flame, but this is rarely sufficient on its own. A conscientious sailor would insist that all rope ends also be whipped, and there are various ways of doing this.