Cowhide 10-foot Indy whip from Gus Caicedo

Captain Ron Solo · Post by **Captain Ron Solo** » Mon Aug 27, 2007 12:53 pm

I just ordered a whip from Gus. He said he'd probably have it ready to ship by next Monday, so hopefully I'll have it by Thursday or so. I post pics and my impressions as soon as I can. It'll be my first Indy-style whip. I can't wait.

JKL
Ron

Jaredraptor · Post by **Jaredraptor** » Mon Aug 27, 2007 3:37 pm

Lookin' forward to the pics!

Captain Ron Solo · Post by **Captain Ron Solo** » Fri Sep 07, 2007 9:36 am

I just checked the tracking online. The whip should be here today, but I won't get home from school until late tonight.

It'll be a very long day, indeed.

Ron

Kaplan · Post by **Kaplan** » Fri Sep 07, 2007 10:29 am

Captain Ron Solo wrote:I just checked the tracking online. The whip should be here today, but I won't get home from school until late tonight. It'll be a very long day, indeed.

Ron

congrats! I love my whip from Gus. Enjoy it!

Ripper · Post by **Ripper** » Fri Sep 07, 2007 11:27 am

just checked the tracking online. The whip should be here today, but I won't get home from school until late tonight. It'll be a very long day, indeed.

You should have ditched

. Be sure and post lots and lots of pictures !

louiefoxx · Post by **louiefoxx** » Fri Sep 07, 2007 7:33 pm

checking the tracking numbers for estimated delivery is a mixed blessing. It's great to know when your package is arriving..but it also ***** to know.

Recently I had some whips from Paul Nolan shipped to me and one morning at 7am I checked the tracking # and found out that the whips were at my PO Box...but they don't open until 9am! That was a long two hours, then I had to do a few gigs with the whips sitting in the trunk of my car for a few more hours until I could crack them.

xoxo

louie

Captain Ron Solo · Post by **Captain Ron Solo** » Sun Sep 09, 2007 9:50 am

Sorry I've been delinquent, guys. I received the whip on Friday. Ripper, I would like to have ditched, but I had a mock trial for school that night. Otherwise, I might have.

Anyway, about the whip. Overall, I am very pleased. I'm sure it's through no fault of Gus, but it wasn't quite what I expected. Having never had an Indy whip before, I had built up an idea in my head about exactly how it would look and feel. When the package arrived, I couldn't believe how light it was. Kind of like when my first lambskin Wested arrived. I thought he had forgotten to put it in the box.
So, the whip was much lighter in weight than what I had imagined. Especially with the lead loaded in the handle, I was expecting a much more substantial feel. Again, I have nothing to compare it to other than my imagination, so it my be spot on with what it should weigh.
Secondly, the turk's head knot seems a bit small, but I have large hands, and asked Gus to make my handle a little thinker, which he did. Perhaps that's why the knots seem smaller.

If the turk's head was any bigger, it might be unwieldy.
Of course, I'm not crazy about the pink cracker, but he's shipping me some others.

I've also got a white hide fall on the way.
On the plus side, the night I got it, I took it outside at about 10pm. On my very first attempt at an overhead crack, it cracked so loud that I had to go back inside for fear that someone would call the police.

As I said, overall, I'm very happy with the whip. Gus is a very nice guy, and he gave me everything that I asked for. I got a reasonably screen accurate whip that I know cracks for a very reasonable price. www.purewhips.com
I'm planning on putting some brown Pecard's on it to darken it up a little.

Ron

ydam · Post by **ydam** » Sun Sep 09, 2007 10:38 am

I personally think the whip looks great Mr. Solo. I know what you mean about getting things built up in your mind only to be let down because whatever it was could not possibly live up to what you are expecting. For me i find if i just test it out for a week or so before making any decisions the item tends to grow on me and i eventualy end up really liking it. In fact that is what is going on with my new AB. I was a little dissapointed, to be honest, when it first arrived. Since then i have been wearing it and workin on the shape and it has really started to become an enjoyment to wear it. Anyway, the whip will darken with time if it is anything like mine. I know that was one of my big concerns when mine first arrived. Now she is nice and tanned and it actually happened quite fast. Of course i am sure the pecards will also help with that as well. Anyway, I think it looks great Ron and interested to see how you feel about it a week or so from now.

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Sun Sep 09, 2007 11:23 am

Ron, I know what you mean about expectations on how heavy a whip should feel in your hands. I have the prototype IOAB from Adam, and because of it's "simpler," less plaited construction, mine was made with lead shot throughout (if I remember correctly). Anyhow, it's a hefty whip and I've grown accustomed to the weight of it. Since then, I've had numerous chances to try other whips, including current production IOABs, and all these other whips are noticeably lighter in weight! It felt weird, but all the other whips weigh the right amount, but I'm still used to my heavier wip! Your new whip liiks great, though!

louiefoxx · Post by **louiefoxx** » Sun Sep 09, 2007 12:08 pm

I think that whips in general look heavier than they actually are. You get a thing that's dense leather and 8 feet long and it only weighs 3ish pounds.

Also if you compare a whip with lead with one that has no lead it's a huge difference.

Louie

Guardian Devil · Post by **Guardian Devil** » Sun Sep 09, 2007 12:56 pm

That looks very nice to me too. I'd probably let it darken naturally though. I've been thinking about picking up one of these from Gus, I must say I'm even more tempted now I've seen this one

Captain Ron Solo · Post by **Captain Ron Solo** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 10:53 am

Last night, I mixed a bit of brown leather dye in with the conditioner that I treated the whip with. After treating the entire whip, I also took a bit of the dye and applied it directly to the ring knot for a little contrast. I really like the results.

I'll try to get some pics up tonight.

Ron

Canyon · Post by **Canyon** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 11:39 am

Capt Ron, I really like your new whip.

coronado3 · Post by **coronado3** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 12:39 pm

Good whips, good price. Gus is a heck of a nice guy with which to communicate , too!

And I have read that he is a very fast plaiter!

C3

Captain Ron Solo · Post by **Captain Ron Solo** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 10:33 pm

Ok. Here are a couple of pics of the whip post-dyeing. One with flash:

And one without:

I had told Gus that I wanted the ring knot the same color as the rest of the whip just in case I liked it that way. I'm pretty sure now that I prefer the contrast, though. I tried not to go overboard on the dyeing. Just enough to tone down the paleness.

It's definitely getting easier to crack, now that I'm honing my technique. More often than not, I get a good crack with little to no effort.

Thank you Gus. It was worth every penny.

Now if I can just replace that pink popper...

Ron

Ripper · Post by **Ripper** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 11:29 pm

That's a darn nice whip you have there my friend ! Crack her in good health !

coronado3 · Post by **coronado3** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 8:50 am

Don't worry, the popper will pick up dirt and grass stains and will change color... If that doesn't happen fast enough, take a black sharpie to it!

C3

Post by **BullWhipBorton** » Sat Sep 15, 2007 3:45 am

Nice, Gus’s work has come along way. Regarding the color, no real need for the brown Pecards, You just use it a few times; the light natural tan usually darkens up pretty quickly in the sunlight.

As for a the popper, Neon pink makes it easier to find if it flies off the fall, but I don’t blame you one bit

Just make your own popper http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseacti ... id=5787754
and change it out.

Dan

Captain Ron Solo · Post by **Captain Ron Solo** » Sun Sep 16, 2007 1:47 pm

Thanks for the replies, everyone. I went to some hobby supply stores yesterday, and found some leather strips to use for a fall, and black string for poppers. Now, I think I'm done messing with it. I may roll the fall a bit to smooth the edges, but I am very happy with how it has turned out. Just for comparison's sake, here's the before pic from the day I got it:

and today:

Still cracks like a champ.

Ron

Captain Ron Solo · Post by **Captain Ron Solo** » Sun Sep 16, 2007 2:10 pm

While I was at the crafts store, I also picked up some snaps and rivets, and was able to make a Mola Ram-esque non-slip whip holder. It took quite a bit of experimenting to find the right placement of everything to allow for meaningful adjustment, but I wound up with a holder that is hands down better than anything I had before.

So, I think I'm ready for Halloween.

Ron

Ravenswood · Post by **Ravenswood** » Sun Sep 16, 2007 2:46 pm

I've had my Gus Caicedo whip for some time now, and I've just been having a wonderful time with it! (I take it with me practically everywhere I go!) And yeah, it has been my observation as well that the weight was on the light side, because the handle wasn't loaded. The thong however, is probably as heavy as any Indy whip "should" be. I did however put an inquiry on the COW as to whether loading the handle would cure the weight issue, but I was ultimately disuaded.
Henceforth I was pleasantly surprised when it came time to replace the fall. I did so with a light-weight red-hide fall. It completely changed the character of the whip. It rolls and flows more fluidly. The extra length on the fall really helps to make it feel like a moderately heavy whip, like the Russel Schultz that I have. The shorter fall that Gus provides gives the whip faster action, and as such, you have less of a that long and languid wind-up before the crack. It's interesting how the character and feel of the whip can change so drastically with different style falls!

Indiana Snipes · Post by **Indiana Snipes** » Wed Sep 19, 2007 5:51 am

Captain Ron Solo wrote:I just ordered a whip from Gus. He said he'd probably have it ready to ship by next Monday, so hopefully I'll have it by Thursday or so. I post pics and my impressions as soon as I can. It'll be my first Indy-style whip. I can't wait.

JKL
Ron

How many plaits does this one have? And does the 10 foot seem to be a pretty manageable size? I have a really cheap 12 foot whip that I purchased for costume purposes a couple of years ago and it's basically a pain to crack because it's so long.

Captain Ron Solo · Post by **Captain Ron Solo** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 7:59 pm

Snipes,
This whip is a 12-plait. I'd say it is a fairly manageable length, but this is my first Indy whip. I did have a 14-ft 8-plait whip made in Mexico that I could not get to crack, no matter what I tried. I will admit that with this whip, the only crack that I have consistent success with is the over head crack (whatever it is called). I tend to think that it has more to do with my technique than a flaw in the whip. I don't get to play with it as much as I would like.
That being said, I think that an 8-footer would probably crack easier, and would not appear much shorter that the 10-footer when coiled. So, based on what I know, if cracking ease is your main concern, I would go with a whip shorter than 10 feet. Good luck!

Ron

Captain Ron Solo · Post by **Captain Ron Solo** » Thu Dec 27, 2007 11:51 am

After getting a little overzealous with the rolling, I managed to work the ring knot loose on my whip. I contacted Gus, and he said he'd gladly re-do it for me. I sent it back to him, and had him slightly increase the size of the turk's head as well. He also tightened the handle some, re-dyed it, and coated it with beeswax. Here is a before and after shot of the whip:
Before:

and After:

I am very happy with the results. Trying to dye it myself, I had ended up with more of a pumpkin color than the dark brown I was going for. It is now a dark saddle tan, and I dig it. The beeswax seems to have added some mass to the entire length of the whip, as well as cutting down on drag a little, making it easier to crack. He also sent along an extra fall and poppers. Thanks much, Gus.

Ron

Cracker · Post by **Cracker** » Thu Dec 27, 2007 1:16 pm

Nice looking whip Ron !

purewhips · Post by **purewhips** » Thu Dec 27, 2007 1:34 pm

Hey Ron thanks for cool comments. Happy you like the whip and the way I worked it. Drop me a line if you have any problems.

Gus Caicedo
www.purewhips.com

backstagejack · Post by **backstagejack** » Thu Jun 11, 2009 9:35 pm

I just received my budget 8 plait whip from Gus....great whip. I got a 10 footer as I had read somewhere that the most common length carried on HF's belt was a 10 footer while different lengths were used for stunts, etc.....I could have mis read that info but, I have a 10 footer. Its a little darker then natural but still a good color, and the popper is black, which works fine for me.

I've gotten some good cracks out today after watching some vids from midwestwhips....I honestly can't wait till this weekend so I can practice more. My neighbors are now scared of me I think.....lol

I think once I get better and have saved up some more money I'm going to go for the full 12 plait indy whip from Gus......Great service, great product and great price.

Indiana Leon · Post by **Indiana Leon** » Sun Jun 14, 2009 5:20 am

Wooow! This whip looks awesome!

Can't wait until my Caicedo 8ft 8plait Indy-whip arrives.

Cowhide 10-foot Indy whip from Gus Caicedo

Cowhide 10-foot Indy whip from Gus Caicedo

re: Replacing the fall on the Caicedo whip:

Re: Cowhide 10-foot Indy whip from Gus Caicedo

Re: Cowhide 10-foot Indy whip from Gus Caicedo

Re: Cowhide 10-foot Indy whip from Gus Caicedo