Allow me to introduce myself...

PyramidBlaster · Post by **PyramidBlaster** » Mon Feb 25, 2008 8:36 pm

Greetings!

I'm an Indyfan from the time I saw ROTLA in June '81...And I've never looked back.

Needless to say, KOTCS is going to be HUGE, and my duds were suffering...So I'm putting together a new outfit, which explains why I've found myself here.

I'd heard of Indy Magnoli back when he lived in Arizona---through a friend who ran a Knife shop in Brandon, Florida...But I lost touch. Magnoli, I'd love to touch base and find out where everybody ended up!!!!

I've done a good bit of leatherwork, and i'll be putting the skills to work for things like the Gunbelt, Holster (currently building a standard Webley, as well as a webley-pattern for my Brazilian S&W 1917), Bag-strap, and whip holder.

OH, and the reason I'm introducing myself in this section? I'm a self-taught whipmaster. I got my first 12' Cattle Baron bullwhip at the tender (trust me, after three months of teaching myself in the backyard---this term is spot-on) age of 16. I began making whips in 1994, and have paid close attention to each result, experimenting with the formula, materials, etc. for years.

Up to this point, only myself and my best friend own these whips---Many have suggested I sell them, but up until now, I have relegated them to the 'experimental' category, and would not want to offer them until I feel they're ready.

I hit a roadblock back around 2000 when I finished a massive, heavy latigo 20' monster, that I was quite disappointed in...Just too heavy. I dropped out for a while to raise kids, but was brought back into the fold when I discovered a local Whip Enthusiasts group. That first meeting totally opened my eyes.

Not only did I get lots of great, knowledgeable feedback on my designs, but I got to get a feel for others' work---including a number of David Morgan whips. I also noticed most people in the group were using high-quality nylon whips...Something I scoffed at as a purist over the years, but using these whips changed my whole outlook.

So, I began building whips again---This time experimenting in nylon. I even revisited that 20 footer and improved it immensely.

It has been an incredible experience---In the year or so since that first meeting, I have made more progress in my whip form than in the previous 19. I can now crack with both hands---and my target work is the best it's ever been. I can 'Australian cross' two 8/10/12-foot whips at once, or mismatched sizes...I'll have to shoot video of that one soon to post...

Now, I feel I've finally gotten to the point in my work where I feel I'm making a really decent whip---And the feedback from the group members has reinforced this.

I'm in the process of making three matched Indy-style whips for the upcoming film. A matched pair will be for my own use, and the third will go to my friend. They will be rust-colored nylon, 16 plait, 12-foot models, as this is what I typically carry in costume--and it's what I trained on.

Visually, they should look a bit like some posted earlier in this section...For some 'German TV show', with a few notable differences--

http://www.imageno.com/9lveprcao2w7pic.html

Mine are braided classic-style all the way to the fall, not 'twist-braided' at the tip like many nylons I've seen...Also, mine will include a wrist strap for accuracy (even though I typically omit them for my own use).

So there you have it. I just took pics of my stable of whips over the weekend, if anyone wants to take a look....

rjallen70 · Post by **rjallen70** » Mon Feb 25, 2008 9:11 pm

Welcome...
Nice nylon. I have a FL cow whip in nylon myself...I am a believer.
ROn

PyramidBlaster · Post by **PyramidBlaster** » Mon Feb 25, 2008 9:13 pm

Another Floridian! From whereabouts? I'm around the Tampa Bay area....

BTW, that whip pictured isn't mine, it's the one from German TV...But same color, materials, and form factor....

rjallen70 · Post by **rjallen70** » Mon Feb 25, 2008 9:25 pm

I am in boynton beach...South of WPB, north of Ft. Laud.
I was thinking of making a trip over to that Tampa whip group you mentioned.
Keep in touch.
Ron

PyramidBlaster · Post by **PyramidBlaster** » Mon Feb 25, 2008 9:28 pm

Will do! The meetings are the third sunday of the month in St. Pete.

I'm thinking of talking to the Group's admin about maybe inviting the media out for the May meeting...It's 4 days before KOTCS comes out...Media like that sort of thing....It'd be a shoe-in...

Post by **BullWhipBorton** » Mon Feb 25, 2008 10:00 pm

Hello PyramidBlaster, Welcome to Club Obi Wan. I think you'll find the site very friendly, useful and informative. Much like the W.E. group we have some of the best whipmakers and whip handlers in the world here. I'm looking forward to seeing more of your work.

All the best.

Dan

BendingOak · Post by **BendingOak** » Mon Feb 25, 2008 10:43 pm

Welcome aboard.

PyramidBlaster · Post by **PyramidBlaster** » Tue Feb 26, 2008 7:57 am

BullWhipBorton wrote:Hello PyramidBlaster, Welcome to Club Obi Wan. I think you'll find the site very friendly, useful and informative. Much like the W.E. group we have some of the best whipmakers and whip handlers in the world here. I'm looking forward to seeing more of your work.

All the best.

Dan

Thanks for the warm welcome! I hope to measure up and help contribute...Starting with a sample of my latest whip. Not an Indy style, but representative of my work thus far...

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj73 ... 0710x7.jpg

This is my current favorite- an 8', 16-plait nylon. As addressed in some other topics, I use a thin aircraft-cable core, as every whip I've made after my first has included with great success.

My proudest moment was when the administrator of the whip enthusiast group I go to---an incredibly seasoned and talented guy who owns Morgans, Allens, and much more---asked to take a swing with it and was taken aback: "Wow! This is really smooth" He used it for a while...I was so proud.

I'm currently starting work on my first 'Indy' whip--And I plan to take pix of the whole process for posterity. Should be done inside of a month...And of course, I'll post my progress.

Cracker · Post by **Cracker** » Tue Feb 26, 2008 8:30 am

Welcome PyramidBlaster, that's a nice looking nylon whip.

Indiana Max · Post by **Indiana Max** » Tue Feb 26, 2008 9:42 am

Welcome on board PyramidBlaster

agent5 · Post by **agent5** » Tue Feb 26, 2008 9:45 am

Much like the W.E. group we have some of the best whipmakers and whip handlers in the world here.

True dat.

PyramidBlaster · Post by **PyramidBlaster** » Wed Feb 27, 2008 7:20 pm

OK, I got a little restless today, and I wanted to see how bad I was after 6 months of no practice.

Don't be too harsh...But criticism is welcome.

Not too bad for a fat, old, bald guy with a cold. Perhaps after I lose a little more weight (i've lost 30 lbs. already) and work out a bit, I'll have more to share.

I use a microphone boom as both a whip training stand AND a braiding stand. The thing is just too useful.

Have at it...

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid ... 0415096422

Strider · Post by **Strider** » Wed Feb 27, 2008 7:55 pm

Welcome!

rjallen70 · Post by **rjallen70** » Thu Feb 28, 2008 11:42 am

Great video...
So those loooong whips just kind of lazily roll out a crack...really neat.
Thanks for posting it.
Ron