New to the forum and the world of whips

mlawson · Post by **mlawson** » Sun Jul 27, 2008 11:58 pm

Hello everyone, I'm new to this forum and to the world of whips and whipmaking. I've been browsing this forum the last week or so and have found it to be a wonderful resource so I thought I'd join. I started making/cracking whips about 2 months ago so I am completely new to this hobby and I'm sure that I will learn a lot here. Here are some photos of the whips I have made so far. The first is a cowhide (calf) 10 footer, the second a cowhide 9 footer and the third a two-tone cowhide 6 footer. They all seem to crack well but I have no high-end whips to compare them to. I am also awaiting some kangaroo hide right now and can't wait to try it out.

Indiana G · Post by **Indiana G** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 12:42 am

very very nice for your first whips....i'm quite impressed.

welcome to cow and i hope you enjoy your stay. come of the folks here in the bullwhip section are some of the friendliest gearheads that you'll talk to.

cheers,

g

Canuck Digger · Post by **Canuck Digger** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 3:01 am

Well done, well done indeed!

If you've worked with calf or kip, then you are going to go bonkers over 'roo! Yer not going to believe this!

Welcome!

TurnerME · Post by **TurnerME** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 10:49 am

Welcome!

Very nice looking work.

mlawson · Post by **mlawson** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 5:15 pm

Thanks! I am really looking forward to trying the Kangaroo, the calfskin is thick and there is a lot of waste on the small hide. The kip I have tried so far has been too weak and not at all suitable for whipmaking so far as I can tell. Does anyone know of any good sources for hide in the Toronto area?

Canuck Digger · Post by **Canuck Digger** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 11:31 pm

Geez I hadn't even realized we were neighbours!

Well not sure about T.O. but you could always try the Tandy shop, maybe they have some decent hides there... I have never found a kip hide I felt was strong enough to make a whip from, but I know many use them. There is just no comparison with the strength of roo! If you want to make a cowhide whip, you're going to have to do some digging to find the hide that works for you I'm afraid.
Cheers

mlawson · Post by **mlawson** » Tue Jul 29, 2008 7:22 am

Tandy is where I've been getting my hides. The calf is very strong but as I say it is small and there is a lot of waste. I've looked at every other thin hide they have there and never found another hide strong enough. Where do you get your kangaroo from? Also, while we're on a materials discussion, where do you get your lead from? I can't find any lead stripping, I've been using a lead based solder that I have been hammering into flat strips. It works well enough, but it's a lot of work to do. Thanks for all your help.

DRD Whips · Post by **DRD Whips** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 2:45 am

I’m very new to the hobby myself, just about two-months in making whips as well only I started with nylon instead of leather.

I have to say, and speaking as a total newbie who can still appreciate the initial complexities of the craft, that is incredible work for someone who claims to be a novice. I hope my ventures into leather turn out as well.

I’m currently trying to find a local leather supplier, but am having a hard time of it. I’m afraid to order hides as I don’t have enough practical experience with leather to correctly choose a hide over the phone or net – I need to feel it in person. Anyone have any advice on finding local leather vendors?

Canuck Digger · Post by **Canuck Digger** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 4:04 am

Though not the cheapest around, David Morgan usually has excellent hides. Just specify it's for whipmaking.

Marhala · Post by **Marhala** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 9:10 am

WOW! If that's your first whip, I wonder how the next will come. Absolutely awsome. What I still find arcane is the way you balance a whip. But as with anything in this life, it can be learned.

mlawson · Post by **mlawson** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 12:49 pm

I'm definitely open to alternative methods of balancing my whips. The method I have been using has worked well enough, I am able to wrap it pretty tightly and the butt is solid, but it's definitely less than ideal. Any suggestions?

Canuck Digger · Post by **Canuck Digger** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 7:48 pm

Well you could always buy a 1"-1 1/4" steel rod, have a machinist cut it into 1" lengths and have him drill a hole in the center so you can pass the spike and weld the whole thing together. That would certainly be solid and alternative, but I'm not sure it would make any sense money-wise. Cost asside the reason lead is used by most, if not all, is also because it is maleable and can later be corrected and shaped to finalize the look of the butt.

Edit:
I answered this in a PM but then realized the info could benefit everyone new to making whips, so I'll post it here too if you don't mind. I use lead tape from 3M that I find on Ebay, but if you can find a roofing supplier that carries it, I would buy a roll and cut it up into strips you can use. While the tape I use is very good, I don't think it's %100 lead; it think it's an alloy and because of this, it may be lighter than pure lead, so more has to be used to get the same weight.

If you can't find either the tape from 3M or real lead sheets, here are some ideas: try to find an organ maker. I know it sounds crazy, but they make their own sheets which they then roll into tubes to make the organ, and while they don't use pure lead either, maybe they could make a special run for you.

Or failling that, I would stop using solder and try fishing weights or weights used to balance tires. You will still need to melt them and work them into a shape, but you are already doing that, and this would be cheaper and of a higher lead percentage for the weight than solder.

OR

You could always ask Louie or even another whipmaker to sell you some lead strips. It will cost you in the shipping, but whadya want? Such is the price of the craft in these modern times I'm affraid...