8ft Joe Strain (?)

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!"

Moderator: BullWhipBorton

Post Reply
GCR
Dig Leader
Dig Leader
Posts: 637
Joined: Thu Jan 01, 2004 10:59 pm
Location: At the Indylounge

8ft Joe Strain (?)

Post by GCR »

Huh, so this is what the Whip section looks like, I don't think I've ever been here before.

Just thought I'd drop in to post a pic of my new whip. It's an 8ft, 12 plait, natural colored, Indy style whip from Western Stage Props.

According to the WSP catalog, these are made by Joe Strain, but I was wondering if anyone here can verify this? Based on some other info in another thread, it's possible that there may be some issues with certain details of certain makers of certain products from certain vendors...I guess (???) Anyway, it sure is a fine looking piece, no matter who made it.

http://public.fotki.com/GCR2/gcrs_gear/oct06029.html

-GCR
thefish
Dig Leader
Dig Leader
Posts: 658
Joined: Wed Apr 14, 2004 3:49 pm
Location: Athens, Ohio
Contact:

Post by thefish »

As far as I know, there are two other whipmakers who make the "Indiana Jones" whips for Mark Allen. One is our very own Paul "Midwestwhips" Nolan, and the other is Russell Shultz, who's OTHER work can be seen in the WSP catalog as the John Brady signature whips.

Essentially, if you order from WSP, and you WANT a Joe Strain whip, if you say, "...and I'd like a Joe Strain Whip," (or indeed if you ask for one from Russell or Paul,) Mark will take care of you. If you don't specify, then you'll get what's in stock. I don't really get the current thing with WSP saying "by Joe Strain," as Mark's never really specified before.

Whatever the case, you've got a great whip if it's from any one of those makers, but there are some differences. These differences aren't in quality, but in characteristics.

I find that Joe and Paul's whips are VERY close to each other in construction and behavior, though, (and this is no offence to Paul, as he's a bigger supporter of Strain's work than I am!) Joe's work is a little more consistant than Paul's from whip-to-whip. Nothing against Paul. He makes some of the greatest whips out there, but Strain is like A MACHINE: Straight, even, consistant whips everytime. Throwing a particular model of whip from Strain will be almost identical to throwing a Strain whip of the same length and design. Whereas throwing two of the same length/design whips from Paul, and you'll be able to tell them apart a LITTLE bit easier, (not by much, and if you're not a regular whip cracker who cracks lots of whips by lots of makers, you wouldn't notice any difference whatsoever.) Now, both of those whips from Paul will be of the same great quality, they'll just behave a little bit more uniquely. I think the only way I can explain it is "Character."

Paul's work can't be knocked though, as his attention to detail and how well a whip throws is absolutely amazing. I've seen Paul throw a perfectly good whip that he was working on away because he wasn't happy with how it was coming out, and MY 8' Natural Tan "Indy Style" whip is one of Paul's.

Russell Shultz's whips are typically characterized by being incredibly lightweight and smooth. Russell tends to cut his laces a little thinner than Joe, Paul, and especially David Morgan. The results are an incredibly reactive, lightweight and accurate, (for targeting, not necessarily screen accuracy,) bullwhip. The downside, is I've heard tell of people popping strands on Russell's whips. I've thrown a couple of Russell's, and they were top notch, and I never got the impression that they were any more delicate than anything else out there.

So, whoever the maker is, it's a great whip. I can't tell too well from the picture, but the fall definitely looks like one of Joe's. I know that Paul should be able to tell you at a glance as to whether it's one of his or not.

Whattaya still sittin' here readin' my drivel for! Go out and crack it!

-Dan
winrichwhips
Professor of Archaeology
Professor of Archaeology
Posts: 779
Joined: Tue Jun 08, 2004 2:14 am
Location: Fall Creek, Wisconsin
Contact:

Post by winrichwhips »

I'd say it's a Schultz whip. Someone on the board recently got a 10 ft Schultz and posted some pics of it. The knob shape on your whip is identical.

-Adam
www.winrichwhips.com
User avatar
Boggstandard
Archaeologist
Archaeologist
Posts: 211
Joined: Thu Jun 08, 2006 8:05 pm
Location: Glendora, California
Contact:

Post by Boggstandard »

Yesterday I received an 8' Schultz Indy from WSP. It is lighter, more delicate, and has a faster action than the Strain whips I own. The knot on my new Schultz is much more oblong than the one pictured on this thread.
User avatar
Bernardodc
Vendor
Posts: 295
Joined: Sat Feb 21, 2004 1:12 pm
Location: Arequipa, Peru
Contact:

Post by Bernardodc »

The photo is too small to really be sure 100% who made it. I think Adam is right...the knot looks remarkably similar to another Schultz Indy whip shown elsewhere in the forum, but the whip does not really look like a Schultz.

Another posibility is that whipmaker Jack Perry of cowboybydesign.com made it. I know he supplies his whips to Mark as well. I think he also made nammann's whip, bought from WSP as well, and shown in another thread. (my whip collection)There used to be a pic showing several handles handles, but the pic was deleted.

Bernardo
GCR
Dig Leader
Dig Leader
Posts: 637
Joined: Thu Jan 01, 2004 10:59 pm
Location: At the Indylounge

Post by GCR »

Thanks to you all for the info and clarification...I'm glad to know it's a good quality whip, no matter who made it. I've changed the text in my album to reflect the fact that it might not be a Strain whip. Still is a beauty though and it cracks great!

-GCR
winrichwhips
Professor of Archaeology
Professor of Archaeology
Posts: 779
Joined: Tue Jun 08, 2004 2:14 am
Location: Fall Creek, Wisconsin
Contact:

Post by winrichwhips »

Yeah, the thought of it being a Perry whip crossed my mind, though I think Jack doesn't make that many Indy whips for WSP.

GCR, I'm sure we could make a positive ID on the whip if you'd post a close-up picture of the handle.

-Adam
Post Reply