You don't need a workshop to make a flogger, but a few basics make every build much easier. The non-negotiables are a fid (or marlinspike) for opening rope, sharp scissors or a rope cutter, and a clean working surface long enough for your strands.

Rope choice matters more than people expect. Diameter drives the look and weight; lay (the twist of the rope) drives how the knots set. The most common choices on this site are 1/4″ and 1/8″ three-strand twisted nylon or cotton — start with whatever is easy to source locally; you can always upgrade for your second build.

For workspace: a flat, well-lit surface; somewhere to anchor the work (a clamp, a hook, or even a doorknob); and patience. Most knots feel awkward the first time and natural by the third. Don't rush.