Does anyone have any info or pics or tips on the best way to tie them?It looks like a piece of rope bent back on itself and both ends unlaid to give six working strands.Tie your knot of choice(six strand diamond,turk etc)then fray the ends so that you have a loop at the top,decorative knot in the middle,and frayed rope bristles at the bottom.I have tried this only to find that the six strands don’t give you much in the way of a brush head and weaving extra strands through the knot gives a very bulky knot.Any suggestions?For a picture see Mr.Budworth’s encyclopedia P.11
I used the instructions in Des Pawsons ‘Knotcraft’ and made two belters of whisks, one is still in use in my kitchen. I used a six foot length of 18mm Manilla (Abaca) from B&Q to make each one. My hints would be, use thick rope and get the strands really soaking before you try to comb them out. Good luck.
I agree completely. Especially the soaking of the strands before combing is very important. Without soaking you will never get a nice straight brush.
success
Andr? van der Salm
And - dont forget to hang it up to dry using a ‘Swab Hitch’
Gordon
Right !!! How could I have forgotten to mention that
Many thanks to everyone for all the advice.I’m now off to Amazon to see if can find a copy of Des Pawson’s interesting sounding book.
Well, another pic of a “sailors whisk” can bee seen at http://www.flickr.com/photos/igktpab/575926837. Another of Mr. Charlie Bell’s works of art.
Here’s another beautiful wisk from fellow member Barry Brown.
http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/ropeandcanvas/page25.html
http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/ropeandcanvas/img163.jpg
Sailors Whisk Brush.
Made with 20mm Manila, hitching is antique tarred marline,
(over 60 years old)
How Do All 
Ha Ha; Nice one Rick; you beat me to it; I was just reading the top post and though oh I have a picture to post here, I will need to get up a bit earlier next time ;D
By the way this Swab is made as ABOK #3584 and then hitched over. #3584 makes for a very full Swab as there are many extra added strands.
Also the pictures of the Swabs mentioned In Geoffrey’s book were actually made by Des Pawson and are the same design shown in Des Pawson’s Knot Craft.
Take care,
Barry