Which Bullwhip do I get?

IndianaChris711 · Post by **IndianaChris711** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 11:05 pm

Hey guys, I have been checking off my Indy gear as I have started getting it over the past year or so. The last piece of gear I am going to buy here, hopefully in a month or two, is going to be a bullwhip. I am looking for a whip close to what is seen in Raiders. Naturally I am leaning toward a David Morgan, since he is the man who made the whips for the orginal films and supplied whips for KOTCS. Also there is Joe Strain, who makes some very nice whips at a lower cost than Morgan. I don't really know where to get my whip from. I am not even sure what length I want. I am fairly short so I thought an 8 foot whip would be plenty long enough, but a 10 foot whip is a little longer and not that much more expensive than a 8 foot whip (at least we are talking DM whips here). This will be my first whip, and I just want it to be a gear piece that will last a long time. I figure it would be cool to learn how to crack a whip in all kinds of different ways.

I am just seeking what you guys all think. I am asking this now because I am trying to save the money for a whip, it is just going to take a while. So voice your opinion or comments on which whip you think I should go with.

Thanks.

IndianaChris

louiefoxx · Post by **louiefoxx** » Sat Feb 02, 2008 1:40 am

Generally a 6-8 foot whip is a good length to learn on. Personally I prefer a 6 foot bullwhip, I think an 8 foot is a tad slow...and I'm a weakling and the extra two feet of whip kill my arm after a little while.

Try to fight the temptation to get a 10 foot if you want to learn to crack it. In my opinion a 10 foot is a very difficult whip lenght to learn to crack on (compared to a shorter whip).

xoxo

Louie

http://bullwhips.org

nammann · Post by **nammann** » Sat Feb 02, 2008 1:54 am

I myself prefer a 6 - 8 foot bullwhip, I have a 10 foot but don't usually use it alot. I do use it alot for wraps though, but you caould use a 6-8 footer for wraps also. I would have to say for the first whip to keep it around 6 - 8 feet becuase with the length of the fall and the reach of your arm usually adds an extra 3-4 feet when you are swinging the whip around. Plus when you get a shorter whip you can use it in more placing than just outdoors depending on the room you have. I can get my 8 footer to crack inside my house pretty well without hitting anything but I would not try it with my 10 footer.

Vegeta · Post by **Vegeta** » Sat Feb 02, 2008 1:58 am

I'm 5'6" and I use a 10 footer 99% of the time. I have a JS 10 foot natural tan and I LOVE IT!! There are better and more accurate whips to be had than a morgan thats for sure. But he IS the man....I personaly would buy my next whip from Bernardo http://www.delcarpiowhips.com/ he is a member here and his attention to detail is amazing.

Satipo · Post by **Satipo** » Sat Feb 02, 2008 10:24 am

I can only speak from owning a DM, as that's all I have. But once I received it, I felt like I'd finally filled a hole in my heart that had been opened when I first saw Raiders.

Anyway, I've got the 10ft model, and it is a hard one to learn with. It can tire you out quite quickly, and you've got to be patient while getting used to the timing. BUT I love every minute I spend with it.

Canada Jones · Post by **Canada Jones** » Sat Feb 02, 2008 2:23 pm

Satipo wrote:I can only speak from owning a DM, as that's all I have. But once I received it, I felt like I'd finally filled a hole in my heart that had been opened when I first saw Raiders.

Anyway, I've got the 10ft model, and it is a hard one to learn with. It can tire you out quite quickly, and you've got to be patient while getting used to the timing. BUT I love every minute I spend with it.

Did you buy your morgan new?
best
Canada

coronado3 · Post by **coronado3** » Sat Feb 02, 2008 4:33 pm

I, too, can vouch for Bernardo delCarpio's work. Very tight and perfectly balanced... Also, he can build you exactly what you want. I went with a 10' temple of doom style - tapered, long handle in Roo.

Here it is with my Adam Winrich KCS cowhide, 10'.

C3

IndianaChris711 · Post by **IndianaChris711** » Sat Feb 02, 2008 5:47 pm

I am trying to fight off the temptation in getting a 10' whip, but it was the one used most in the film. Now I am debating in my head what to get now.

I was thinking I could just go with a Joe Strain 8' whip for now then get a 10' DM. Man does Bernardo make some good whips, I didn't know Kip hide was used in Raiders and Kangaroo hide in the other films. Unfortunately, he is all out of Kip for the time being. And his prices are great for a whip. Coronado that is a great looking TOD whip, and Adam's whip looks great as well. Now you may have me convinced to get a whip from Bernardo.

I guess it all depends on your preference, Vegeta you are right, DM is the MAN in making whips for all four films. I may get a JS 8' and then a Morgan 10' later this year or JS 8' and a Bernardo 10' Raiders style. I don't know I still need to think a bit more about this decision. Thanks for everyone's opinions so far, keep em coming. Maybe I should just buy all three.

IndianaChris

hollywood1340 · Post by **hollywood1340** » Sat Feb 02, 2008 6:44 pm

I'm going for balanced approach myself. I'm just now starting to get into 'real' whips, and my first was a 5.5ft nylon stock whip. Followed by my latest, a 10' KotCS IOAB from Adam Winrich. My next purchase will be a 4 foot fighting whip from Peter Jack, and I think I'll finish off with an 8' from a DM trained braider down the valley. So I have a 10' for times when I need it, but I'll have and 8' as well.

WhipDude · Post by **WhipDude** » Sat Feb 02, 2008 7:11 pm

Here's what I suggest Chris

10 foot isn't something to good for a learner. That may be long and a bit difficult. I personally started with a 8 footer and it worked well. You can do the basics pretty well.
I have a Strain myself and it's awesome. You won't go wrong with a Strain. tight braiding. Fantastic whip and awesome prices. If you ask for a Raiders style whip, I'm sure he'll make it. Great choice. don't forget, he did supply some whips for the film.
If you are somebody who really has to be able to say "I own a morgan" then fine. I have used a morgan whip before but they are pretty heavy, and in my opinion, over priced. They are still a good whip however.
Bernardo? Never used one of his whips but by the reviews and talking with people who do own one, you won't be disappointed and it has a good price tag.

Vegeta · Post by **Vegeta** » Sun Feb 03, 2008 4:00 am

I'm almost 100% sure that roo hide was used in all 3 indy movies.

WhipDude · Post by **WhipDude** » Sun Feb 03, 2008 10:25 am

Some Raider whips were roo and others were kip.

IndianaChris711 · Post by **IndianaChris711** » Sun Feb 03, 2008 1:42 pm

I think I am definately getting an 8ft whip from Strain, I figured a 10ft whip is going to be too much to handle learning how to whip. I might hurt myself.

Bernardo really makes some awesome whips, from looking at other people's whips from him and comments about them, it just seems like the way to go for a 10ft whip. Since I was thinking of almost shelling out $700-800 for a Morgan, I may just get a 8' Strain soon, save up some more money and then get a 10' whip from Bernardo. Then probably wait and save up my money for a Morgan sometime late this year or next year sometime. I think an 8' foot whip from Strain is really where I need to start, and plus he did supply whips for the new film.

I really appreciate all the help and knowledge about whips on this site. I really thank you guys for helping me out in this very costly decision. Now I just got to start saving.

Thanks again.

IndianaChris

WhipDude · Post by **WhipDude** » Sun Feb 03, 2008 1:56 pm

I think you made a good choice. My 1st whip was an 8 foot strain. Excellent service, fantastic whips, tight braiding and all. Superb whipmaker.

whiskyman · Post by **whiskyman** » Sun Feb 03, 2008 2:19 pm

Joe Strain makes fantastic whips but personally I think Bernardo's look more the part. They are also excellent whips and have that rugged Morgan look whereas Strain's almost seem too neat. But that's just my opinion (and I've owned 2 Strains and 2 Bernardos).

Vegeta · Post by **Vegeta** » Sun Feb 03, 2008 3:51 pm

Here are a few pics of my 10ft Joe Strain. It's about 3 years old and I use it very regularly. You guys wont believe me....But this whip still has the original fall and cracker that came on the whip

bigrex · Post by **bigrex** » Mon Feb 04, 2008 11:28 pm

I picked up a 12 plait 10 ft. calfskin whip from an unmentionable auction site. Of course it's darker than the Indy whip, but still a very good deal at under one hundred smackers. Cost about $59 bucks, which probably can't be beat for sheer value.

coronado3 · Post by **coronado3** » Tue Feb 05, 2008 8:55 am

I think an 8' foot whip from Strain is really where I need to start, and plus he did supply whips for the new film.

The thing about this approach, is you can have Joe make it for you in the same style and color that he provided for the production - a certified KCS whip!.

C3

ANZAC_1915 · Post by **ANZAC_1915** » Tue Feb 05, 2008 10:42 am

I agree with Louie, I am 6'5" and my 10ft DM is still an armful. I'd say the only real plus with the 10ft is how loud it is (like thunder). I am considering getting an 8ft or 6ft as well now after trying some of Louie's whips.

IndianaChris711 · Post by **IndianaChris711** » Tue Feb 05, 2008 4:23 pm

coronado3 wrote:
The thing about this approach, is you can have Joe make it for you in the same style and color that he provided for the production - a certified KCS whip!.

C3

Hmmm, I will have to think about that, sounds like a good idea a KOTCS whip

. I will ponder about that one when it gets closer to ordering the whip.

Vegeta, that is a great Strain whip, is that done in the Raiders style? Looks great for whip that has been used for 3 years.

Bernardo's whips continue to impress me, I am definately getting one from him, most likely a Raiders 10ft. I may have to wait a little bit on that, but I was already kind of saving for a Morgan, and I did not realize how much cheaper Strain or Bernardos whips are so I may be getting two whips, just not at the same time.

IndianaChris

Vegeta · Post by **Vegeta** » Tue Feb 05, 2008 5:28 pm

My whip was ordered through western stage props when they offered whips made by Joe Strain. I called Mark Allen and asked him specificlly for my whip to be made by Joe Strain. I also asked for that style turks head knot. But since Joe isn't doing whips for them anymore you can tell Joe exactly what you want.