"THE DRAGON SCEPTRE" Ok this has got to be my most adventurous flogger project to date!! Commissioned by a wonderful woman from Essex, named Iona.This project was not only quite complex to pull off, Iona is a vegetarian which meant finding a different alternative to the leather I normally use for the falls! (Something I had not come across before,but I do love a challenge lol.) After "kicking around" a few idea's we finally came up with a design we both agreed on. A friend of mine had generously given me a beautiful piece of Brazillian mahogony (from a managed forest I must add) which I knew would be ideal for this particular flogger."THE DRAGON SCEPTRE"

So with the handle turned and the Dragon heads cut out I immediately envisaged our first problem, because of the cut out between the heads this was going to require strengthening!! (this being a "working flogger") I have used 1/4" brass rod in the past for this purpose and thought it would look great with the rich dark tone of the mahogany

I love using contrasting materials and mixing together different colour woods so decided on using Ash for the top of the Sceptre and for the tail piece.I also carved out a "through barley twist technique" on the tailpiece which exposed the brass rod.

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The next thing was to sort out the material which would make up the falls, the usual suspects came to mind like Faux leather/suede but to no avail, too rigid and not really heavy enough! I did use suede in the end, but because of it's light weight it needed 3 layers to give it some substance.(A daunting task!! lol). I had recently acquired a book on leather braiding with different designs for various plaits,("Hats off" to these guys, some are so complicated you need a degree, I kid you not lol) I decided on a 5 braid herring bone design which was something within my limitations and also being new, a bit of a challenge for myself.

I've been 'toying' with a new idea lately,Interchangeable Falls, a sort of one handle does all concept.Basically it will consist of a handle with a threaded insert into which you can place a variety of different implements e.g flogger falls, paddles plus, just about any implement you require within reason, you get the picture. I have discussed this with Iona and she has agreed to put this new prototype to the test, and let me know how it performs 'in the field' so to speak. So with this idea in mind I set about making a few different attachments to add to the Dragon Sceptre.I decided first on a customised paddle which is pictured below.However after fitting this attachment to the handle it became apparent that the handle may not take the force used with such an implement.To get around this problem I created two smaller handles which would be more suitable and would also accept the flogger attachments.

Iona had requested a "tawse" attachment which is usually made of leather,but of course that was out of the question because she is vegatarian.I thought a wooden alternative may work,(pictured aboveand below) not exactly a tawse it turned out,more of a rule,but effective all the same.

The attachments and handles were steadily inceasing in numbers and such a collection I thought would benefit form a carrying case or box to keep them in.I used the same logo which I had used on the paddle for the front of the case and gave it a metallic look.

Ok looking back on this project it has been both challengeing and rewarding,the Dragon Flogger and attachments made their debut on the 10th of March and I have been told it was a success! I would like to take this opportunity to thank Iona for giving me the chance to work on such a project and also thank Iona and her friend Whirly for their help and experience in bringing this creation to life.