Paul, Chris and Adam are all very trusting souls, (read that as stupid!)
Seriously, all three WhipDude mentioned are stand-up guys. All three have previously, without EVER seeing me crack a whip or knowing my experience just handed me a whip, (including some of the most prized items in their collections,) and said "go at it!"
Chris Camp's exact words to me at the Annie Oakley Festival two years ago were, "anything in that bag is yours for the weekend," and that bag contained at least 15-20 whips that Chris uses on a daily basis to maintain his livelyhood. That really meant a lot to me, and I did my best not to abuse the privilege, (or the whips, for that matter!)
I like to think I've earned a little bit of trust from these guys now, (I've spent a not insignificant amount of time cracking the hero whip that Alex Green and Anthony Hopkins used in "Mask of Zorro," and a Cecil Henderson whip that was over 50 years old that didn't even belong to Paul!)
But then, Paul knows that whips are actually pretty tough tools that take more than just one fouled up crack to damage.
On top of that, (if you couldn't tell from the site,) Paul is all about getting people as hooked on the whip arts as he is.
I think most people on this forum are quite aware of how addictive "Crack" is, and Paul, Chris and Adam are three of the biggest pushers out there, (two of which are suppliers as well.) ;-)
Anyway, cracking crappy whips doesn't get you jazzed about the sport/hobby the way that a well-balanced, quality Kangaroo hide whip will. The first whip I cracked was a 6' whip from Joe Strain, and I was immediately hooked.
So, if and when you attend a Whip-Nic. Keep in mind what these guys are sharing. Don't abuse it. Enjoy it, and thank them bunches! They are truly fine gentlemen, (but don't worry guys, I won't tell anyone else. You DO have reputations to uphold!)
Nice site, Paul, but then, you know my thoughts on it already. ;-)
-Dan