Bullwhip falls

[Jim]

I need some expert input on this one:

I read on the bullwhip homepage that bullwhips function best with narrow falls. Has something to do with physics. So why is it the less expensive whips (such as the good ol' fashioned latigo swivel handle) always have such wide falls. I have a swivel handle, and I took the advice of the guys on the bullwhip homepage and trimmed almost a quarter of an inch off of either side of the fall. Not only is it easier to pop, but the fall has lasted for two years and taken some pretty heavy abuse, and it's still in great shape. So why the wide fall?

[The real Henry]

Maybe they are made in factorys and so another machine/worker for cutting the fall would be to expensive

or


the makers are just too lazy!

[The real Henry]

Maybe they are made in factorys and so another machine/worker for cutting the fall would be too expensive

or


the makers are just too lazy!

[Jim]

Could be

[Jim]

Could be

[racerx]

Howdy,

from what I can remember, the wide slapper like falls were called Texas Falls, (someone correct me if I'm wrong) and were used to move cattle,
by slapping the butts of the cows, cracker/poppers were not tied on the end at that time either I don't believe, cause it would have sliced the cows and ruined the beef so to speak.


Now, to make the fall more arrow dynamic its suggested to thin it down or trim it, thus letting kanetic energy travel down the thong and produce a loud crack some what easier.

I also have an old swivel handled bullwhip 12 feet long that I used to put threw the wringer, when the fall finely snapped off, (due to using it in the rain all the time) I tied a leather shoe string on it, it cracked a lot easier and louder back then, hahhaha, but now I know better.

Sorry bout all the excess ranting.


Cheer's

Jim J.

[BullWhipBorton]

Hi Jim, Most wide falls are seen on the American style bullwhips (And much less expensive Mexican copies) These types of bullwhips where used primarily used for working cattle, In addition to cracking the whip, you also could give a stubborn animal a little slap to get its attention, the wide fall would prevent cutting, bruising or injuring the animal.

Dan

[Jim]

Thanks for the 411. I knew someone would know what's going on.