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!"
I couldn't help it - When Paul made his version of the KotCS bullwhip, I had to give it a try too.
Because I didn't have anyone requesting that the handle knot be more square, I chose to give it a little more of a traditional Indy shape (though not completely - it's still a little squared). I chose to skip the shellac on this whip too - just personal preference on my part. I suppose I could always add it later if I want. Also, Paul is ordering some brown dye to dye white falls, so I plan on replacing this white fall with a brown one once he gets that in.
This is actually my first ever whip over 5ft, and this one is an 8ft. You all can judge from the pictures how you think it looks, but I have to tell you I'm surprised and amazed with how it cracks. The weight is distributed well out into the thong, so the whip really did all the cracking for me - I felt more like I was cracking a 6ft than an 8ft.
Lauren, I think you did a very good Job. The taper looks great, the plaiting looks even and tight, and I don’t see any spiraling in the seams. It looks like a good solid whip, so I am not at all surprised to hear that lays out and cracks as well as you describe. If it was shellaced, i'd like it even better then Pauls version, but dont tell him I said that .
Thanks for all the responses! I am really very excited about how well my first 8ft turned out, and I'm just as excited that so many of you liked the looks of it too. But as happy as I am with it, I of course have to give Paul a lot of credit. So many whipmakers, both new ones and veterans of the art, were all self-taught. But I've gotten to work with Paul Nolan for quite a while now, and he is not only a great whipmaker but also an exceptional teacher.
As every whipmaker I'm sure agrees, there's always room for improvement. But it's that constant striving for the nearly unattainable "100% perfect whip" that's so ridiculously addictive about whipmaking to me. I try to work out how to braid patterns in my head as I'm falling asleep at night, I practice tying cleaner or more complex knots on chair legs while I watch TV in the evenings. It's crazy! I really appreciate the constructive feedback and positive comments from everybody on this post, and that so many people are active on this section of the forum in general.
LemonLauren wrote: I try to work out how to braid patterns in my head as I'm falling asleep at night, I practice tying cleaner or more complex knots on chair legs while I watch TV in the evenings.
Bless you
Keep up the good work, and congratulations on the 8 footer, it's quite daunting the first time you have twelve strings 15ish foot long dangling in front of you, I remember it well give my regards to Paul....
dont tell him I said that 
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