From falls & poppers to plaiting & cracking technique, this section is dedicated in memory of Sergei, IndyGear Staff Member and Whip Guru. Always remember to keep "Celebratin' Life!"
It is my understanding that a longer whip cracks more easily than a smaller whip, but that a smaller whip is inherently easier to use in terms of control.
My question relates to cracking volume level and ease of cracking.
Does a 10 foot whip crack THAT much easier than an 8 footer of the same quality?
Also, does a 10 footer crack That much louder than an 8 footer or is this a false assumption?
Essentially, I am looking at an 8 ft JS in the near future unless there is compelling evidence that a 10 cracks sooooooo much better.
IndyNorth wrote:To all you whipper-snappers out there...
It is my understanding that a longer whip cracks more easily than a smaller whip, but that a smaller whip is inherently easier to use in terms of control.
My question relates to cracking volume level and ease of cracking.
Does a 10 foot whip crack THAT much easier than an 8 footer of the same quality?
Also, does a 10 footer crack That much louder than an 8 footer or is this a false assumption?
Essentially, I am looking at an 8 ft JS in the near future unless there is compelling evidence that a 10 cracks sooooooo much better.
Muchas Gracias amigos
north
A well made whip will crack easily no matter if it is a five feet or ten feet. Assuming that the taper of the thong is well constructed, the volume level at which a whip cracks is determined more by the weight of the whip and/or the amount of efficient force exerted. A heavier bullwhip is going to crack louder with less work than a bullwhip of the same length but lighter in weight thrown in the same manner. However, a five foot stock whip can crack just a loud as it's heavy eight foot bullwhip counterpart. This is because stock whips, even though they tend to be lighter, are more efficient in their energy conduction. Note that when you perform a forward throw with a lighter whip that it takes more speed and sharper more precise movement to get a loud sharp crack. A heavier whip can be thrown slower and with almost a lazy form and still get a well defined crack. It just happens to be that the longer bullwhips tend to be heavier because of the fact they have more material. But this isn't always the case.
Now that I've rambled on with more information than you ever cared to read both the JS 8' and 10' whips will crack very easily. They are both moderately heavy whips that are expertly balanced. Joe makes a superb whip and either length will serve you well. If you've never cracked a whip before I would recommend going with the 8' or even a 6' bullwhip. They're better suited to learning the basic cracks. A ten footer can lead to bad habits. It's better to graduate up to the longer whips (10'+) or down to the shorter whips (4'-) after you have figured out how the whip works with the moderate lengths.
If you are concerned about a loud crack, with Joe's whips you're not gaining or losing anything in regards to volume by going with an eight.
My $0.2...
-Kyle
Last edited by The_Edge on Wed Sep 25, 2002 1:39 pm, edited 1 time in total.
I'll have to go in the opposite direction as Kyle's advice. I would not bother to get a 6-foot and graduate up. Whips are expensive, and you'll need/want to "graduate" well before your wallet is. An 8-foot is a good way to go, I would say. It may take a bit more time to get it down, but two feet makes a big difference and a 6-foot whip is REALLY small and just doesn't look the part of an "Indy" whip. You may still want to go for a 10-foot someday, but you'd tire of a 6-foot whip a lot faster than an 8-foot. I should say that I don't make whips, as where Kyle does. I've owned about eight of them, handled about a dozen total. but I'm sure he's handled more. This is just based on my experience, opinion and the way I learned to use a whip.
With all due respect ArdethBay, let me take it back to the opposite direction and backup Kyle's point. From a non-Indy gear perspective, and if putting a premium on getting a good start in becoming a good whip handler, then the 6's are the good length to start on. I think I even remember David Morgan mentioning that to me when I was placing my order for the 8 footer. The 6's allow the beginner to concentrate on proper technique, and also that length allows you to do so many more cracks that are limited by the longer whips. Beyond the 4 basic cracks, volleys, figures 8's, fast figure 8's, cross overs, target work, etc. are so much easier on a 6 footer when compared to the 8 or 10 footer. A 6 foot for target work is much more accurate than an unwieldy 10 footer. Coupled with another 6 footer, it's easier to do double handed work. If decibels are an issue, well then my 6 foot Paul Stenhouse bullwhip is just as loud as a 10 foot Morgan.
But I think an 8 footer is a reasonable compromise to performing the more complex cracks, which it can do, versus the 10 footer where it's much harder to do anything beyond the wraps and the 4 basic cracks. That's where the 10 footer get's boring real quick. In fact my first 3 whips were 10 footers. I just got bored with them due to their limited range. And I have to be honest, starting out on 10 footers got me into some bad habits, where I had to reconstruct my technique when I went to the shorter whips. So take this as advice from me and Kyle, that is much easier to work your way up, not down.
The 8 footer, Indygear-wise, also looks acceptable while wearing it off your whipholder and I freely admit that the 6 footer doesn't quite bring that off.
It's good to have contrasting opinion, Indy North. There is nothing wrong with having multiple views on the same topic. This topic is a great one, so you have to put your priorities in the right place. There are no wrong decisions.
-Sergei
p.s. I have to say one more thing before closing, I was really amazed to see how many professional whip artists, use lengths between the 4 to 6 foot range. It's rare to see anything longer than a 6 footer. The main reason of course is usually the stage, but the shorter whips are faster and really dazzle the audiences. In fact, I had a chat with Mark Allen who likes to do performances on the longer whips, and he said that you can only do that for about 20 seconds before the audience gets tired of seeing you crack a 12 foot whip before they make a break for the beer stand at a rodeo. It's the quicker, shorter whips that grab the attention of the audience.
Last edited by Sergei on Wed Sep 25, 2002 10:35 am, edited 1 time in total.
you can only do that for about 20 seconds before the audience gets tired of seeing you crack a 12 foot whip before they make a break for the beer stand at a rodeo. It's the quicker, shorter whips that grab the attention of the audience."
Not to mention, it's much more difficult to maintain good multiple cracking routines for any length of time with a longer, heavier whip(s). Especially when doing double handed routines. I was going to buy a pair of matching 7 foot stock whip and Mike Murphy talked me down to 5.5 footers. BOY AM I GLAD. Any decent double handed routine with 5.5 footer can be taxing on muscles quite quickly. (Even when you practice for a couple hours per day.)
I can't imagine trying to maintain with anything longer.
Indy aside, if you are going to buy a whip for whippin sake and if you only had 10 and 8 ft to choose from, I'd go with the 8 foot. I think you will get a bit more versitility out of it.
Well, I am definately inclined to agree with what has already been said; it is easier to start on a shorter length whip. While the 10' is more Indy accurate, it is a more difficult length of whip to start out on. Personally, I started out on an 8'. Some time later, I purchased a 10'.
I am now inclined to say that if you want to use a 10', then it is better to have some experience with a shorter whip. Not only will the shorter whip be more manageable while you're learning, but the whip will be more versatile once you move on to advanced tricks. The shorter whips are much better suited to target work, double-handed tricks, and multiple cracks (take that as advice from the guy who has attepted to do a snake killer with a 10').
Just my .02...
