New Whip, Few Questions for a newbie...

[buda741]

Okay Here's my Louie Foxx 10ft KOTCS bull whip. I've only have taken it out to crack a few times since I've been so busy. I'm still learning the basic skills of cracking the whip and I've done it a few times during the few times I've had to practice. Now I understand that a whip takes time to "break" in. How long does it normally take if used weekly to "break" in? How does the whip respond when its new and the difference when it's broken in? Any help would be great. Also, what would be a good way to display my whip?

I know that the fall and cracker are not SA in color and I hope to have them professionally replaced when the time is needed, but I am in no rush.

Here's a few pictures of my whip, sorry about the low quality. What'ca think?

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n232 ... 080116.jpg
http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n232 ... 80116a.jpg
http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n232 ... 80116b.jpg
http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n232 ... 080117.jpg

(Mods please lmk if I posted pictures right and I'm not breaking any rules.)

[Canuck Digger]

A whip's break-in time varies; frequency of use etc.

Don't try to rush it by forcibly bending your whip or by applying a lot of grease though. Your whip is new and has enough grease in it for a while, and if you force it, you run the risk of bruising something, so just enjoy using it. DO however keep the fall loaded with grease all the time.

A well-broken in whip will feel very fluid and responssive.

There are many ways of displaying your whip. The simplest is usually the best. I have two pegs set at about 9 or 10 inches appart and I coil the whip and put it on the pegs, with one peg under the handle and the other under the coiled thong. You could just coil it and lie it flat on a shelf or something, or coil it and tie a length of leather lace around it and make a knot like when you tie your shoes and use the two loops to hang it from a nail. Unless your whip goes unused for a very long time, no kinks will form. If you don't think you'll be using it for a very long time, or if it's just for display, then maybe use the 2 wooden peg idea. But whichever you choose, just make sure it isn't a rough surface that might damage the leather.

[buda741]

Thanks!

Yeah, I don't want to forceably break the whip in as I've read how bad that is. I plan to break it in naturally with practice. I haven't put any peecards on the whip, only the fall once so far.

And thanks for the display idea, I'm going to head to the craft store today!

[Canuck Digger]

No problem.

I got the peg idea from my workspace; one day I had these two 6" metal clips (sort of big metal clothespin with strong springs in 'em) and they were about 9 inches appart on the same shelf, so I just coiled the whip and hung it on them. It worked perfectly and since they have rubber on the handles, there was no contact with the metal to scuff the leather and being that they are easily removable, you could just get yourself these metal clips (we use them a lot on sets) and just use those. I've put as many as 3 full-size bullwhips on 2 of these and they held no problem.

They are sold many places, but this is one: http://www.amazon.com/Large-Heavy-Duty- ... _hi_text_b

[buda741]

I haven't applied any grease or anything like that to the whip. I have been putting pecard's on the fall though as I've read its good to keep it moist.

As I've been breaking it in, I've noticed that the body of the whip thats closest to the handle is more "broken" in and lively then the thin part leading to the fall. The thin part leading to the fall almost feels stiff?

Is this normal going towards breaking a whip in?

[Canuck Digger]

I wouldn't worry about it. If you are using it a lot, then maybe give it some (not too much or too often though) Pecard's from time to time. I have whips I've made a year ago and because I don't use them much (winter here is long), they are still a bit stiff in certain places. So it really depends on your frequency of use. I like a well-broken in whip myself.

[nicetrylaoche]

buda741,
If you don't mind me asking, why did you change your mind about the 10 footer so quickly? It just looks so nice.
-Z

[buda741]

I love the whip and it's breaking in nicely but I think a smaller whip will fit me better. But I'm not 100% sure yet just testing the waters

[Canuck Digger]

I know that the fall and cracker are not SA in color and I hope to have them professionally replaced when the time is needed, but I am in no rush.

I know the kind of falls Louie puts on his whips, and its really good stuff-top quality! Keep it well greased, and it will last you a long, long time. Don't worry too much aboout SA, its more important to have a quality fall on your whip, and you do!

[buda741]

Do whips crack easier as they get broken in and are they easier to coil? I'm such a newbie...

[BullWhipBorton]

Hi Buda741,

For the most part yes and yes, but even a brand new whip should crack right out of the box fairly easily. As it breaks in and relaxes it will coil more naturally too.

Dan

[buda741]

I have recently have had more time to play around with my whip. I'm getting fairy decent at a few cracks and I want to master these before I move on. The whips cracking in very nicely and I'm pretty happy with the performance. I need to replace the popper tonight so I can crack some more tomorrow.