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!"
Since many people were asking me to make an Indy bullwhip, but using kangaroo hide (instead of kip), I thought it might be a good idea to post a few pics of a roo whip I just finished: a TOD style, 12 plait, 8 foot, natural tan of course. It is going to COW member Doc Riviere.
Can you tell me the difference between your Raiders, LC and TOD replicas? I've heard that the Raiders whip has a darker knot - but what are the features of the whips in the movies otherwise??
Doc ordered a whip from me this spring, and I'm sure he sent you the same pictures he sent me. He didn't like my first attempt, so I said I'd make another whip, but he cancelled his order before I could make it.
Looking at the pics he sent me, you certainly got really close to the one sold in the Christie's Auction, which is the one I think he liked the most.
You know, as far as assigning a distinct style to the whips from each film, I think it's hard because there was so much variation between each of the Morgan whips. I think with some people who go as far as to ask for a 'TOD' bullwhip or something, they have actually picked one screen shot or one picture of a screen-used whip that they particularly like, and then consider that one whip representative of all whips from that film. Of all the Morgan pics Doc Riviere sent me, each whip looks different to me.
Thanks! I knew you were getting sick of seeing too many cowhide Indy whips
Adam,
Thanks too! I think you are absolutely right. No two whips are the same, and the ones used in the films differ a lot not only from movie to movie, but from scene to scene. I have also found that each Indy fan has his own preferences and ideas of what constitutes a screen accurate Indy whip. I always do my best to try to meet the specs each customer sent me, but it's a tough job.
Actually, this particular whip is my second attempt to match Doc Riviere's specs. With the first I think I got a little confused with all the different numbers and photos he sent me. And you are right: I made this whip to look as close as possible to the TOD Christies whip.
Moses,
As for the differences in the whips used in the 3 movies, as far as I can tell, in general, the whips used in Raiders have a thinner handle with no discernible taper, while the whips used in TOD have a taper in the handle, and LC whips have a slighty thicker handle like modern Morgans.
Hey Bernardo! awesome job on that style of whip ,, perfection at it finest,
I know I never get tired of seeing your cowhide whips, (especially the 8 seem ones) then again I love cowhide and deer hide as much as roo, .
Either way,,,, excellent job,, thanks for the pics.
I think it's worth noting that all the whips that are mine (the 1st 3) are recent purchases. I think I received the 2 from you some time in June? And the Strain whip is only around 1 month old!! This demonstrates how rapidly a natural tan whip will darken in sunlight, especially is you pueposely suntan them!! You can tell by you Morgan replica on the right that Jim doesn't suntan his whip as I do.
I certainly wouldn't suntan a whip. I like the slow progression of color. I don't especially care for them being almost white like they are when brand new, but that goes away in a week or so. I really like them when they start taking on that real nice light golden brown color. Why you want to rush right through all that is beyond me. Mine will get darker, soon enough. No need to rush it. I guess, to each his own.
Do you ever crack any of those whips? The falls don't look like they have ever even hit the ground. Very nice collection of whips.
I suntan my whips to get them to this color or a bit darker, and then pretty much stop. I have one whip that I'm trying to get to that ToD almost black color, but the rest I like more or less the color in the photo.
Buff -- yes, I use all of my whips, but I take care not to let them hit the pavement or concrete. And as I stated before, all of these whips are almost brand new. I also seem to use my Aussie bulls more than the Indy ones -- might be the more control you have with a longer handle...
Whiskyman -- that's not yours, that an 8.5 ft bullwhip that I had Joe make for me. Yours is a lot darker than that!
BTW, why does almost everyone on this board rush to 'beat up' gear to make it look like they're owned it for years, but when someone does it to a piece of gear that they wouldn't have, they get the 'head shake?' FYI, a jacket, a gas mask bag or a pair of gloves aren't the onlt things you can artificially age/distress. And suntanning a whip is something that happens naturally anyway, unlike sandpapering a jacket!! Why do you think that all whip get darker eventually??
Bernardo, Nice Job, Great looking Bullwhip. Your work keeps getting better and better. Nice to see one in Kangaroo too, I am guessing you opted for the two bellies on this whip?
Thanks a lot. Yes, I used two bellies on this one (and all my kangaroo bullwhips).
The reason I use one belly on the kip whips is because of the increased thickness of the leather. If I were to use a thin 2 1/2 oz. kip, (i.e. the same thickness as heavy roo) then I'll have to put two bellies in there as well.
Beranrdo, Thanks for clarifying that for me. I had a feeling you did a double belly on that bullwhip, you know your stuff. Still since some whip makers only use one plaited belly even with thinner kangaroo hide bullwhips, I wanted to know for sure.
Thanks again Bernardo for this beautiful whip !! it' s the best whip i have seen and the most accurate with your Raiders replica !!
and sorry for the confusion with the specs for the first whip...
The whips looks so nice right now, I'd be very interested to see how it looks after it gets a bit darker in color...How about some new pics after a few weeks?
How does a Bernardo hold up to a Morgan? What are the prices for kangaroo hide whips? Will I have to pay an arm and a leg for one? Is Natural Tan hide readily available?
I think Bernardo whips are sold on WSP, right? But not Kangaroo hide ones.
Best thing to do would be to PM or email Bernardo for his whip prices. He's very easy to deal with, and will work with you to give you exactly what you're looking for...
Speaking of 'bump', where's Doc Riviere with the more recent pics of this ToD whip??
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