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!"
Here's some pics of a bullwhip I finished this week. It's a 12 ft 8-plait cowhide bullwhip with a full-length steel cable core. It was inspired by an earlier post about whips built for swinging.
Each pic shows each layer that went into the whip.
The handle foundation is hollow, so the cable passes all the way though it and is brought out of the end, bent back, and bound and glued to the handle foundation.
No, I didn't try swinging from it.
This core wasn't that hard to put together, and I think it'd be pretty easy to make up an IOAB with a cable core.
The only thing about this whip is that it's more of a novelty than something all that great to swing from. I understand that the 'swinging' whips in the Zorro movies were made with a tube going down the center, and the cable was allowed to move freely out both ends of the whip and it could be fastened to the actor/stuntman and the object being swung from.
I didn't take it outside to see if it would REALLY crack (which I think it will), I just flicked it around in my basement a little bit and got a couple of little cracks out of it.
Maury, when you get it, probably the easiest crack to do with it will be the flick. Also be prepared that your 10 footer is ALOT lighter, with my intention being that it would make for a whip that you could use a lot without getting tired, and it'll also be comfortable to wear on a belt, too.
thanks for the tip Adam I can't wait to give the beast a go. hopefully it will not be raining when it gets here so I can try it out.
as for the other whip for how you ahve descirbed it that whip will be perfect. I'm sure the two of these will be like night and day when handling them.
One of my friends is betting that I nail myself in the chin. Had to laugh since well we all know the begining of LC, plus this is a person that knows I have a history using whips
Adam your a genius, thats a sick idea, and a great looking whip. By the way, have you finished or started my IOAB yet? I got all my gear now except that baby, im dying to play with it!!!!!!!
The packaging said that the cable is rated for 450 lbs.
Bryan,
I was hoping I'd get your whip done early next week, but right now I only have reddish brown cowhide. I ordered a meduim brown hide today and I hope to have it by the end of next week. I'll make your whip as soon as it comes in.
If you can see the color in the pics, this 12 ft cable whip is made from the reddish stuff. It's still a very pretty color, though; but I'm sure you'd rather have a more brown whip.
Yea id rather wait, i got my jacket and other gear to play with in the meantime. I def want a lighterbrown whip, no red, even though it is very pretty. Ok Adam thanks for the update, once its done i can get some nice full gear shots, but ill have to make my whip holder first.
450??? That could hold me then thats really sick. But wouldnt the whip still get damagged from swinging? I dont think it will pull apart like a normal whip might, but the leather would def get cut up some still. Would a steel cable whip also hurt more if u hit someone?
Yeah, I was wondering that myself. I had a friend when I was a kid who tried making his own whip out of an old telephone cord. He ended up hitting someone else by accident with it and gave them quite a cut.
It's a cool idea though and the whip looks great. I guess if you were looking to do some swinging with a whip this would be the one you'd want to buy.
That is very cool Adam. It will be interesting to hear how it performs, I’d imagine its going to pack a wallop. Not counting the long swinging whips made for the motion picture industry, I’ve never known anyone to make a make a functional steel cable center bullwhip over 7 ft before. The Australians use some cable core bullwhips with a light steel cable in the belly, but they are usually short and used as yarding whips. They tend to be a bit slow, but are hard hitting and work great for cutting.
That's just mad! And I mean that in a good way, Adam. Excellent!
If you wanted a stunt whip you could swing from all day without scuffing the surface too much I guess a kevlar one would work? (Like some of the fire whips?) Probably not too cheap though... Anyway.
Rebel; Let us know ALL about it when it arrives, will ya?
Winrich, if someone buy that whip and run to hang on trees (of course he would) and falls down and hurt... i wouldnt like to be in your shoes do you know a good lawyer?
Seriously, it's something you should consider pal.
well if that is an issue erri, adam should put something on his site about whips being dangerous, and that they are not used for swinging, and any injuries resulting from their use can not be held against winrich whips. He even said about that the metal core is more of a collectable idea then for actually using for swinging.
Adam, i think you would be fine with just a warning on your site or sending a piece of paper with the whip saying that its your fault and responsibility and you agree to this upon purchasing the whip.
When i use to skateboard alot all parks have a waver you sign saying all accidents are your fault, or if there was no waver there is just a sign saying, skating is dangerous, and upon entering the park your responsible for your own actions.
You should be fine with something like this i assume.
don't think ya have anything to worry about adam at least from me. heck ya built it based off how i said i wanted it. besides not the type to blame others for my stupid mistakes if i did do that.
however erri does bring up a valid point if you do decide to make this an "option" for the future you might want to have some sort of disclaimer written up (both on the site and sent with the whip).
looks like i'm having to wait for my whips though, looks like they tried to deliver today and since no one was home they didn't drop off the package. didn't even leave them in the apartment complex office *sigh*
Adam,
I would go with the disclaimer on the site, as suggested above. I would also print up some sort of warning tag that you attach to these whips. If you really wanted to be cautious, you could go with an order form on your site that forces customers to sign a sort of waiver and perhaps confirm that they are 18 or older. You could print these and file them, just in case.
There are TONS of companies out there selling edged weapons, replica firearms and whips, too. Check out some of these sites to get a good idea how to word your disclaimer. Even the "sticky" at the top of this section will help. I think WSP and US Wings also have disclaimers regarding the whips they sell.
Unfortunately, I think you would have to admit/attest to the fact that these whips were made to be strong enough for swinging. That's the whole pyrpose of why most people would want a cable-core Indy whip. If you described it as a "novelty" item people might take that literally and lose interest. And that's why you would need the disclaimer. I would state that:
1. this is NOT an actual piece of stunt and/or safety gear.
2. attempting to swing from ANY whip is very dangerous.
3. you personally do NOT condone/endorse/encourage anyone to attempt swinging from ANY whip.
4. You must be at least 18 years of age to purchase a cable-core whip.
"The Winrich cable-core bullwhips are designed to bear weight within reasonable limitations and to tolerate stress beyond the capabilities of a bullwhip constructed by traditional techniques. Winrich Whips DOES NOT recommend, endorse, promote or encourage any individual to ever attempt to swing from one of our cable-core bullwhips or ANY OTHER whip! Swinging from a whip can be extremely dangerous and is best left to professional stuntmen. Anyone attempting to swing from ANY Winrich Whips bullwhip assumes full responsibility for their own actions, any injury that may incurr and for any damage to the whip itself. Furthermore, Winrich Whips does not warranty its products against damage that may occur from improper use".
It will be interesting to hear how it performs, I’d imagine its going to pack a wallop. Not counting the long swinging whips made for the motion picture industry, I’ve never known anyone to make a make a functional steel cable center bullwhip over 7 ft before. The Australians use some cable core bullwhips with a light steel cable in the belly, but they are usually short and used as yarding whips. They tend to be a bit slow, but are hard hitting and work great for cutting. 
