I've been lucky enough to meet David Morgan and spend a full week learning from him in his shop! It's been the best week of my life, and truly a dream come true for me.
As most of you know, I'm a huge fan of David Morgan, and I really admire his work. Ever since I found that the Indy whips were made by him, I wanted to meet the man and see how his whips were made.
At the time I didn't have a Morgan whip. It wasn't until June 2000 when I finally was able to purchase my first Morgan bullwhip directly from him. It was because of that whip that I started making my own Indy whips, always trying to imitate the work of the great master.
Now, six years after buying my first Morgan bullwhip, I finally got to meet David Morgan in person. Over the last 3 years he had been kind enough to help me and answer my endless questions on the phone. It was about time to meet him in person, I realized, and he graciously invited me to visit him, an opportunity I will be forever grateful for.
I stayed last week from Monday 4th through Saturday 9th, 9am to 5pm. That Monday was a national holyday, and he was kind enough to receive me in his shop. I felt like a kid in a toy’s store, I didn’t know where to look first! There were simply too many interesting things around.
I brought with me three special whips: one from Bolivia (a few years back he asked me to get him a sample), one presentation whip from northern Peru (different from the southern style he already had) where there’s a strong braiding tradition closely connected to the Peruvian horse breed Caballo de Paso; and the third whip was one of my own Indy whips, so he could judge my work. He told me to bring my best whip, so I made one that closely resembled my 8 foot 2004 Morgan, using a very heavy hide Morgan himself sent me a couple of years ago. I saved that hide for a special occasion.
After we entered the shop, the first thing he asked me was to see my whip. I took it out of my bag, he examined it closely, didn’t say a word, and immediately rushed to the front counter area to crack it. He gave it a few cracks right there in the shop, using the overhand and underhand flick. Again, he didn’t say a word. So I asked him “well, what do you think?” and he replied: “It’s a good whip. It will crack readily”. Knowing that Mr. Morgan will rarely praise anybody’s work, I was more than pleased to say the least. I think he was pleasantly surprised. Later on he mentioned he liked the fact that I cut wide strands, like he does.
Then we went over the other two whips I bought for him. He also tried them right there in the shop. Then we spent the rest of the day in the back of the shop, where the whips are made, while he coached me on polishing my braiding techniques. We also started going over his 350+ whip collection that includes all types of whips from all over the world.
I spent the rest of the week doing some braiding for him, looking at more whips in his endless collection, asking questions, and taking lots of pictures. At the end of the week, he had shown me everything: how he makes his bullwhips, and the reason behind every thing he does. I perfected my plaiting technique, and learned tons of new things. He was extremely generous and patient in showing and coaching me in doing things “the proper way”. I found David Morgan to be an extremely knowledgeable person, who knows a lot about many subjects.
On Thursday, he had a special surprise for me: he told me I would be able to take home one of the whips that I was braiding for him, for free! I couldn’t believe it! That whip was going to be my 4th Morgan, a 10 footer, actually plaited by myself! He did all the cutting, and coached me to ensure things were done the Morgan way. Every little detail counted, and like I said before, there's a reason behind every part of the process. There's a polished and time-saving technique even for attaching the cracker.
Then on Saturday, I finished my whip, and he proceeded to test it with a series of cracks, and said: “You did a good job. This is a good whip. It will crack readily, and once it’s fully broken it will crack even better.” Amen.
Overall, I couldn't ask for more. David Morgan and his lovely wife Dorothy were more than great to me, as well as their son Will, who among other things was kind enough to bring his pair of white Morgans so I could take some photos of them. Mr. Morgan’s crew also were extremely nice, friendly and helpful. They all have provided me of a truly memorable experience.
Well, I hope you liked my story. I thought I had to share this experience with you guys. I could easily spend a few days talking about it, but I think you got the general idea.
Now I think some pics are in order... Enjoy!
Bernardo
Here's Mr. Morgan trying my whip...
...and here's holding it after gaving it his seal of aproval
This is an old whip that he keeps nearby to show it to customers and crack it right there in the shop
A close up of that whip, a 10 footer. He couldn't say exactly how old it was.
This is the first "Classic Bullwhip" he made, a 16 plait, 8 foot, natural tan without wrist loop. Gorgeous!
This is another old whip he made for his yet-to-be-born grandson.(if I recall correctly)
A matched pair of white 6 footers. They belong to Will, Mr. Morgan's son.
Mr. Morgan at work, pulling tight. The whip is a black 10 footer.
Mr. Morgan testing the whip I made during my stay.
Yours truly. That's a happy face, isn't it?
A close up of the 8 footer I took with me on my trip.
The best souvenir ever! This is the 10 footer I made during my stay.
Finally, a comparison shot. Let me know if you'd like to see more pics...
). anyways, i knew nothing of whips until i received yours and then followed up with some homework on whip-craft. 
.....or go with a 10' roo from you who has been schooled by the master and who's whip i can use for my enjoyment. i guess i'll have to sleep on it. suggestions anyone?
I've been after a 10 footer for a while now, but the prices are so high for Morgans now... I guess the older he gets, the higher the prices. He probably doesn't make as many as he used to. 
Like I always say; if anybody wants to give away a DM... 
Can you resist that?
