Just in: a Package from Joe Strain...

Shagbd · Post by **Shagbd** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 2:32 pm

let me preface this by saying this is my FIRST Roo hide whip... so my basis for comparison is slim..

)

well I got a box from Joe today... no surprise as I have been religiously tracking it since he shipped it last week

)
I ordered quiet a few things from him and I want to give Joe props for an AWESOME presentation!
he didnt just throw everything in a box and mail it, each item was meticulously placed and wrapped with green paper that somehow gave the whole thing a very regal feel.
Bascially I ordered a 9' KOTCS style whip from Joe..... what he delivered was so much more... this whip far exceeded my expectations and as Dan Trout said "its the most beautiful Strain whip" hed" ever seen".
and it really is.

I have been in the whip world only a few months and I have seen every picture, videu etc of these whips but nothing could have prepared me for the way it is in person. I finally GET the "connection" that Thefish always talks about.
Unfortunatly its very hot and humid outside so not the best time to go cracking, however i plan to go to the Karate school tonight and Ill have a bit more room.

My first impression was how STIFF it is! i realize its a 12 plait whip, but its like all the strands are ONE PEICE of leather.... its almost not human the way Joe plaits! lol
i guess its going to take some breaking it, but i WAS able to get off a few flicks and it cracks effortlessly and LOUD!
I could go on and On about this whip, but Ill have more to say once i have cracked it a bit.... so ill report back later.
anyway, here are some pictures of the items I got from joe.... Like i said, i got several goodies!

)

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb13 ... Strain.jpg

closeup of the handle:
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb13 ... Handle.jpg

the fall hitch
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb13 ... lhitch.jpg

PS: I just posted the links so i wouldnt get in trouble for any size requirements on the forum

rbinko2001 · Post by **rbinko2001** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 2:42 pm

That is a gorgeous whip! I can't wait to place my order for one. When you ordered, did you give Joe a bunch of specifics, or did you just tell him you wanted a KOTCS whip? Im going to order a Raiders 10ft. whip and Im not sure if he needs specifics or just say that I want a "Raiders" style whip and let him take it from there.

serrecuir · Post by **serrecuir** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 2:43 pm

Shagbd,

Congratulations on your purchase!! She's a beauty! You will be very happy with that whip! Joe is an amazing whipmaker. Now you need to break it in - that's where the fun begins!

-Craig

Shagbd · Post by **Shagbd** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 2:47 pm

rbinko2001 wrote:That is a gorgeous whip! I can't wait to place my order for one. When you ordered, did you give Joe a bunch of specifics, or did you just tell him you wanted a KOTCS whip? Im going to order a Raiders 10ft. whip and Im not sure if he needs specifics or just say that I want a "Raiders" style whip and let him take it from there.

besides the style and the length thats ALL i told Joe.
i told him to take his time with it and he did.... he made it extra special!

just let the artist work....... he knows more about whips than I do, so i didnt give him many specifics

rbinko2001 · Post by **rbinko2001** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 2:54 pm

Shagbd,
Thanks for the info. I figured I won't have to give him any specifics, just say I want a Raiders 10ft. whip and let him have at it.

Boggstandard · Post by **Boggstandard** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 2:58 pm

A great looking whip- thanks for the pictures.

There's something about anticipating the package's arrival, opening the box, and finally being able to see and handle the whip- almost like Christmas.

Boy, are you going to have fun breaking-in your beauty.

Happy cracking :!: :!:

TurnerME · Post by **TurnerME** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 4:04 pm

That looks amazing! Please make a video of the breaking in process.

bluzharp · Post by **bluzharp** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 11:37 pm

Mmmmmm! Yummy! You'll love that whip. I see you got some thread too. I just got the same spool from Joe, and it makes tremendous poppers. Congratulations!

Kentucky Blues · Post by **Kentucky Blues** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 11:42 pm

Beautiful whip

-KB

Solent MKIII · Post by **Solent MKIII** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 4:19 am

It never fails. I start paying the bills, and someone's gotta post pictures like these.
Great looking KOTCS whip, Shagbd! Strain really nailed the look of the Jacka whip
with that one. Here's hoping you get some whip-friendly weather soon. Have fun! :junior:

Indiana Rich · Post by **Indiana Rich** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 2:00 pm

Shagbd,

What was the turn around on that whip from Joe? I mean how long did it take you to get it from the time you first ordered it?

I'm planning on buying a 10ft Raiders whip from him as soon as I can get the money together (probably in the next month).

Thanks

IR

PS- Nice Whip. Joe does beautiful work.

zohar · Post by **zohar** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 2:07 pm

Gorgeous.

Don't Call Me Junior! · Thu Jul 24, 2008 2:24 pm

That's definitely a beautiful whip! Regarding the popper string - if I were to look for a spool of that somewhere in a store local to me (CT) what exactly would I be looking for? Or is it something a little more specialized that it's hard to find?

Bardoon · Post by **Bardoon** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 5:32 pm

Congratz on your whip Shag!!! It looks beautiful and Mr. Joe Strain DOES NOT DISAPPOINT!!!!!!!!!

bluzharp · Post by **bluzharp** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 5:58 pm

Don't Call Me Junior! wrote:That's definitely a beautiful whip! Regarding the popper string - if I were to look for a spool of that somewhere in a store local to me (CT) what exactly would I be looking for? Or is it something a little more specialized that it's hard to find?

It's a heavy duty nylon upholstery thread. I'm not sure what gauge it is, but I can check and let you know. It shouldn't matter too much though, because you can adjust the thickness of the popper depending on how many loops you make with whatever gauge thread you get.

bluzharp · Post by **bluzharp** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 7:29 am

Essentia Whips wrote:
Thread is the operative word there.....

Crown Barbour Bonded Twisted Nylon Thread....(thats a mouthful)

Tony

That's exactly it Tony, Thanks. You took the "words" right out of my mouth. Good stuff.

Tim

Shagbd · Post by **Shagbd** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 9:49 am

couldnt that have been taken to a differnt thread? lol

Mannie Bothans · Post by **Mannie Bothans** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 12:22 pm

Shag, does a person have to be present to sign for a package from Joe? My Nowak jacket was delayed because it required a signature. My Strain whip is on the truck for delivery right now, and neither I nor my wife are at home right now. I'd really like to get this whip today so I can go to Annie Oakley Days tomorrow in Ohio.

myrddin · Post by **myrddin** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 12:27 pm

I didn't have to sign for my Strain yesterday. I've had FedEx leave packages on my doorstep before when I wasn't here, and there's noting on the shipping label for my whip to indicate that extra care is needed in delivery.

Hope you get it today...

Shagbd · Post by **Shagbd** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 1:36 pm

i requested that he NOT require a signature

Shagbd · Post by **Shagbd** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 7:36 pm

heres a shot of her in her new home...

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb13 ... ipbag2.jpg

myrddin · Post by **myrddin** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 8:14 pm

ou're so mean to put those two whips side by side.

One is functional, but the other is a thing of beauty.... Kind of seeing two brothers, except one can double for the hunchback of NOtre Dame and the other is Brad Pitt.

Boggstandard · Post by **Boggstandard** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 8:14 pm

Sweet :!: :!:

Shagbd · Post by **Shagbd** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 9:21 pm

myrddin wrote:ou're so mean to put those two whips side by side.

One is functional, but the other is a thing of beauty.... Kind of seeing two brothers, except one can double for the hunchback of NOtre Dame and the other is Brad Pitt.

Ooooooooooh, thats just MEAN!
No hatin on my Cowhide now!......
its my FIRST whip.... its the one i learned on, ill always love it.
sorta like my first sword..... even tho it was a $50 wallhanger and I now have swords worth 40 times as much...

)

Chewbacca Jones · Post by **Chewbacca Jones** » Sat Jul 26, 2008 12:26 am

myrddin wrote:ou're so mean to put those two whips side by side.

One is functional, but the other is a thing of beauty.... Kind of seeing two brothers, except one can double for the hunchback of NOtre Dame and the other is Brad Pitt.

Just remember, the Hunchback can really ring your bell!

(Sorry, it's after midnight here....)

Chewbacca Jones · Post by **Chewbacca Jones** » Sat Jul 26, 2008 12:29 am

Shagbd wrote:heres a shot of her in her new home...

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb13 ... ipbag2.jpg

I like the case. What is it, and where did it come from? If I may...

Shagbd · Post by **Shagbd** » Sat Jul 26, 2008 12:50 am

I got it from Paul from Midwestwhips

its a great case, and has a nice lil zippered area on the outside for neccessities

Post by **BullWhipBorton** » Sun Jul 27, 2008 12:06 am

Very nice whip!

good choice! I like it.

Dan

Shagbd · Post by **Shagbd** » Sun Jul 27, 2008 12:25 am

Thanks Dan!

I appreciate the compliment!
Joes stuff rawks

slydini · Post by **slydini** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 7:57 am

Shagbd wrote:I got it from Paul from Midwestwhips

its a great case, and has a nice lil zippered area on the outside for neccessities

Thanks for the heads up on the case, I just bought one.

Hedji · Post by **Hedji** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 12:44 pm

Beautiful! Can't wait to get mine! Did you order the videos and extra goodies, or did they just come with the whip purchase?

Shagbd · Post by **Shagbd** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 7:52 pm

yes, i ordered those other items as well
hahaha.... no they werent freebies hahaha

raider 57 · Post by **raider 57** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 10:40 pm

Great lookin' whip!! I've been planning on ordering one of Joe's "Raiders" whips soon myself. Where's that $$ tree!!??
-raider 57

bluzharp · Post by **bluzharp** » Thu Jul 31, 2008 6:33 pm

Shagbd wrote:yes, i ordered those other items as well
hahaha.... no they werent freebies hahaha

I looked at that pic again, and I'm getting weak! I was trying to hold off ordering another Strain for a few months so I could recoup my finances, but.......

I'd rather be in the poor house with a couple of Joe's whips, than having spent it on gas to get to work. I can always take the bus, and practice my flicks at the bus stop. LOL!

Magno · Post by **Magno** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 2:27 am

I'm not a fan of the CS whip, but that my friend is a stunning piece of work. That leather has the nicest sheen I have ever seen.

Shagbd · Post by **Shagbd** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 10:46 am

Magno wrote:I'm not a fan of the CS whip, but that my friend is a stunning piece of work. That leather has the nicest sheen I have ever seen.

it really does!
and the more dressing i put on it, the shinier it gets...
Comparing it to BullwhipBorton's jacka whip, its becomes very clear how different this whip is.
My strain is a VERY light whip and its fairly skinny as well.... it handles like a shorter whip than it is...

Magno · Post by **Magno** » Thu Aug 07, 2008 3:29 am

The pictures would really lead me to believe that it was the opposite of light. That is very interesting. A real piece of art!