bullwhip "spike" handle

[Mike]

I've heard in a few posts about DM using a "steel spike" for the base of his handles. For some reason, I can't get my brain around this image as I just keep picturing railroad spikes.

Can someone who has picture posting abilities, and a shot of one of these spikes post one up? If not, could Kyle S., Sergie, or someone else knowlegable describe them better? I believe Kyle wrote that they were galvanized. Are they hollow, or solid?

Thanks,

Mike

[Sergei]

I've heard in a few posts about DM using a "steel spike" for the base of his handles. For some reason, I can't get my brain around this image as I just keep picturing railroad spikes.

Can someone who has picture posting abilities, and a shot of one of these spikes post one up? If not, could Kyle S., Sergie, or someone else knowlegable describe them better? I believe Kyle wrote that they were galvanized. Are they hollow, or solid?

Thanks,

Mike

Mike,
It's not a railroad spike. But a roofing spike or what people call a "bridge spike". The attached photo is from Bernie in Tasmania. He shows the development of the handle foundation with the 8 inch nail spike and the beginning of the first belly that is attached.



-Sergei

[Mike]

Aweome, that really drove the point home. Sorry for the bad pun, couldn't think of anything better.

Thanks, Sergei,

Mike

[whipwarrior]

Actually, a railroad spike is an apt description as any. The foundation of David Morgan bullwhips are, indeed made from a similar piece of hardware, albeit circular in form rather than the more common, squared variety. I have often imagined what a square handled bullwhip would look like, and it seems pretty cool. But whenever I explain the construction of whips to somebody, I always use the term 'railroad spike' in my description, as it is the easiest object to associate it with.


-Dale

[Sergei]

Actually, a railroad spike is an apt description as any. The foundation of David Morgan bullwhips are, indeed made from a similar piece of hardware, albeit circular in form rather than the more common, squared variety. I have often imagined what a square handled bullwhip would look like, and it seems pretty cool. But whenever I explain the construction of whips to somebody, I always use the term 'railroad spike' in my description, as it is the easiest object to associate it with.


-Dale

Well, the railroad spike, if you ever picked one up is extremely heavy and the diameter would be way too thick. So the weighting and balance would be quite off. Nail spikes are used by whip makers due to their abundance in supply. The diameter usually runs about 3/8". The weighting you can control by applying lead tape. It's so much easier. You walk into a hardware store and you can buy them by the hundreds.



-S

[Dalexs]

Now THAT would give one #### of a workout

Dalexs

[whipwarrior]

I noticed something about the bridge spike pictured above. The end of it seems to funnel inward, as if the spike were hollow, and the metal appears to be some kind of light aluminum alloy. Now, compare this with the handle foundation of a David Morgan. (You can try this with your bullwhip) Hold the handle upside down so that you are looking at the bottom of the knob. Fold the wrist loop down and spread the bottom of it open, where the loop strap tucks into the knob. You should see the flat, rectangular area where a piece of leather is wrapped over the base of the spike. Press it with your finger. It's perfectly flat and unyielding, as if it were made of concrete. I can't even find the slightest hint of a depression like that seen in the above picture. I've checked this on all of my whips, and they are identical.
Without jumping to any conclusions, maybe it is possible that David Morgan uses a different kind of iron spike than Bernie uses in making his whips. Also, I roughly gauged the diameter of the spike pictured against the diameter of the handle on a Morgan bullwhip, and the David Morgan appears a bit thicker. Additionally, I've compared squared railroad spikes to my bullwhip handles, and they are a nearly identical match for size and weight, excluding shape, of course. This test can be done by simply holding a DM bullwhip in your whip hand, keeping the handle in the downward resting position, and doing the same with a railroad spike in your opposite hand. Raise and lower them independently, then together, and you will see that they are remarkably close in weight and performance. I understand that it's rather impossible to be completely sure, as we're comparing a photograph to a whip in-hand, but I just couldn't discount the possibility of differing spike foundations. In any case, it makes for an interesting discussion.


-Dale

P.S.- Can somebody in Washington possibly visit David Morgan's shop and photograph one of the iron spikes that he uses?

[Sergei]

I
P.S.- Can somebody in Washington possibly visit David Morgan's shop and photograph one of the iron spikes that he uses?

WhipWarrior, you distrust my statements? ) P-shaw. )

Well I called in an order earlier this afternoon on a couple of items and requested an update on the new book (still on track for November 2nd). I did mention what he uses for a handle foundation. And the answer is:

8 inch common nail spike

He actually laughed at the railroad spike idea. "Why it's too square and too heavy."

Best Regards Whipwarrior,

-S

[whipwarrior]

Well, if David Morgan says it's an 8-inch spike, then who am I to disagree? His word is Gospel as far as I'm concerned. I humbly acknowledge the master's edict, and I bow out gracefully. Everyday is a learning experience, or as Robert Watts so eloquently put it: "You never stop learning because you never know it all. Your apprenticeship is for life."


-Dale