Whip Bags: A void in the market?

Shagbd · Post by **Shagbd** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 8:50 pm

Im sure your thinking : "Shag! there are SEVERAL whip bags out there... so whats the problem?"

well the problem is have too many whips! and i wanta carry them at all times and i dont want to have to carry 3-10 different bags! I want ONE bag that does it all! Also, i dont want to have to skimp on what kinda stuff i carry with them, so i want BIG expandable pockets for accessories.

Now, I am not bashing anyones product here, Im just noting obvious shortcomings.
Currently, I own a whip bag from Paul... I have another coming to handle all of my whips... I like them! Buuuuttt, I want BETTER!

I had a breakthru in my "design" when I was looking at a tactical Rifle case marketed by 5.11 tactical.
It can be seen here:
http://www.511tactical.com/511-36-inch- ... 58753.html

What your seeing there is a double rifle gun case with a padded divider in between each side.
Also, each side has MOLLE webbing which allows velcro straps to be passed thru.
If this were incorporated into a whip bag then you could literally adjust to ANY whip you have.

And yes, i DID consider getting THAT bag for just that purpose BUT, it still doesnt quiet work...
#1, its too long...... 36" is excessive... too long, too much bulk. The case needs to be big enough, but not TOO big, or then your just carrying BAG around.
#2. This case, like most every other case for rifles AND whips is grossly too THIN. It seems like the folks making these cases think these items are just 2 dimensional. I mean if you stack two coiled whips on top of each other, your easily talking 3-4 inches...

So heres My idea...... Im currently discussing with a custom bag maker to make me my idea of "the perfect" whip case.
My goal is for it to EASILY hold at least 12 whips.
My idea is to have it rectangular to give plenty of options inside.
I want it to have 3 compartments seperated by padded dividers... on each "page" i want it to be covered in molle webbing. In fact i want the outside to be covered in molle webbing as well..... NO pouches built into it, just the molle, so the owner can add any kinda pouch you want.....
the goal here is COMPLETE customization.
It could be used to carry practically anything.

Im trying to get these to be made out of real cordura nylon for durablity, and since they'll be custom made, might be expensive.

This sounds like its turning into an interest thread, and its really not because its still in the planning stage... but Im just interested in hearing folks thoughts on my idea, and any suggestions?

Again, i think about 29" overall length would be just about right.... long enough for stockwhips.... also its going to have some thickness to it... probably look sorta like a suitcase when packed full...
and i want each of the 3 sections to have their on zippers, so when you unzip one section, all your whips dont fall out of the others...

Boggstandard · Post by **Boggstandard** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 9:44 pm

You have an interesting idea, and perhaps a potential market.

But, for carrying a large number of various sizes and styles of whips (up to 15), I have found nothing better than a well made rope bag.
The rope bags I favor are made of heavy cordura nylon, have a strong shoulder strap as well as handles, have two large zippered
compartments for loosely coiled whips, with several zippered and flapped pockets for goggles, falls, crackers, energy bars, water bottle, etc.

Most equestrian/tack stores sell rope bags for $50-$75.

The url is just to give an idea of the product, not meant as an endorsement of a vendor.

http://basic-bits.com/asccustompages/pr ... 195655[url]

Shagbd · Post by **Shagbd** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 9:50 pm

BUT what do you do about stockwhips?
stockwhips dont coil that well....
so thats why im thinking rectangular case

Boggstandard · Post by **Boggstandard** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 10:03 pm

With some manipulating, stock whips fit just fine.

I am like you, wanting something for carrying a number of whips at once with ancillary storage for incidentals.
The rope bags is the best medium that I have found- so far.

Go with your idea- a better mouse trap and all of that.

Shagbd · Post by **Shagbd** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 10:13 pm

Ive been really talking about this more and more with the maker.
Hes a SUPER talented guy and has made some incredible "tactical practical" bags that blow away the stuff on the market... so hes the man for the job...

I actually had a modification on my idea.
instead of having seperate compartments, imagine one BIG compartment with "pages" that have MOLLE webbing on them.
The pages will be attached at the base with strong velcro so they can be removed or moved if needed... a totally customizable case!
Picture a big Zippered CD case, and youll get the idea...

The nice thing about this case, is that itll be a super customizable case for ANYTHING, not JUST Whips...
you would have one section wiht whips.... another with knives... another with pistols..... ANYTHING that can attach to MOLLE webbing or be straped down would work!
This might be the ultimate gear bag ever designed!

thefish · Post by **thefish** » Wed Aug 13, 2008 12:52 pm

The Nail Gun Bag that I've used for a couple years wasn't a tactical bag, but it was made to survive construction sites, (which might as well be a warzone at times.) But the shape of it does well to accommodate stockwhips, but as I've said, I'm OUT OF ROOM.

It's survived incredibly, but I need to replace it, and EVERYTHING That I've looked at has just not had the durability I look for, (Construction Site Bags, Video Production Gear Bags, and Tactical Bags are what I've looked at, and nothing has really caught my eye thus far.)

The MOLLE webbing WOULD be great, as it would allow different lengths and styles of whips and accessories easy storage.

And with my...er...OUR strange hobbies, having sections for other....Incidental Necessities...is a good thing, (never know when I'm going to need a Kukri, a hat stretcher, a pair of drumsticks, a balisong, or a spare Glock mag.)

Let me know how things go with this, as I'm planning on picking up a couple more "Training Whips" here soon, and there's just no more room at the inn on my old reliable bag anymore.

All the best,

-Dan

Shagbd · Post by **Shagbd** » Wed Aug 13, 2008 2:42 pm

Dan!
I KNEW youd be interested in this..

well I am already discussing the smaller details with the maker... hes thinking around $150 pricetag, which is pretty decent considering most production bags of this type are well over that.

Also on the inside MOLLE webbing, we are going to do the strips with the "loop" side of the velcro out on the straps, so you could theoretically just velcro the straps directly on. Also the entire inside will be soft padded, so itll really protech the whips.

My idea behind this is that NO whip will have to be "stacked" on another whip.... to reduce damage...

let me know if you want one we might could work out a better price on multiples

techrtr · Post by **techrtr** » Thu Aug 14, 2008 3:55 pm

I use a heavy cordura courier bag. Compressable, lots of room.

WhipDude · Post by **WhipDude** » Sat Aug 16, 2008 11:14 am

A huge sports duffel bag?

http://www.duffelbags.com/index.php/sit ... 563&site=1

Now sure how durable you guys are looking for. But that website has many duffel bags which can easily hold whips and they often have other pockets for to carry your poppers, falls, and more.

Shagbd · Post by **Shagbd** » Sat Aug 16, 2008 11:45 am

going for more organization and protection of the whips here...... hence the heavy padding to ensure no two whips are touching each other

thefish · Post by **thefish** » Sat Aug 16, 2008 12:44 pm

Chris Camp used to use a HUGE duffel bag to hold his whips, target supplies, etc, (last time I saw him, he was using a large rolling "Carry On" type bag, because he'd KILLED the duffel.)

The problem with those, as David said, is separation and organization. Now, separation isn't that big a deal to me. My whips go through worse in a day of handling than being laid on top of one another. But organization...aye...That's the problem.

Chris's standard method of using that HUGE duffel was to move the bag to a "Staging area," and then essentially empty it, because in order to get to one whip, you had to pull out all the ones on top of it. The bag was FULL of whips of all different sizes, shapes, and characteristics, and Chris would use A LOT, of them, (the number and type varied by the show he was doing and the venue he was performing in.)

That stated, I don't so much mind the whips laying together, (as I mentioned,) but what bothers me with duffels is that they have no structure. I try to be careful when transporting my whips, and don't like laying stuff on top of or having to wedge my whip bag in and out of places that are going to bend it around. It's THAT that damages whips, (even moreso if they are rubbing together.) They get bent out of shape, kink up, etc. etc.

My whip bag has a fairly solid structure to it. It is compressible somewhat, (and expandable, thank God with as crowded as it's getting in there,) but it's fairly resistant to being bent out of shape, especially when it's full.

I've seen the "Use" of the bag that inspired David's current quest, in which the guy had at LEAST 20 swords and knives of every shape and size carefully, and neatly packed into that bag. It was inspiring to me as well, and I'm glad that David is pursuing this, because what he's got in mind is, I think, going to be spectacular!

No more digging through the coiled snakes to extract that one whip you're looking for, (and even my whip bag with it's current population of 5 or 6 suffers from that.) Various types of spare poppers, a dedicated PST, razor knife, and fid for expedient whip maintenence and repair, conditioner, saddle soap, and cleaning cloths. All neatly organized whips that can be browsed through as easily as a portable CD case. I'm ALL about that!

Anyway, all the best and happy cracking!

-Dan

Shagbd · Post by **Shagbd** » Sat Aug 16, 2008 3:07 pm

You made a good point there..... STRUCTURE

My guy workin on this says that with all the .5" padding going in it, itll be plenty sturdy.
I have a feeling its going to look somewhat like a suitcase when finished.
Im shooting for it to hold 12 whips easily.... sure you could cram probably twice that many in.

For someone like Chris who has more than that, TWO of these bags could be attached to each other using MALICE clips and, VOILA! you take 2 bags and make them into ONE bag.... easier transport.

Imagine being able to carry 20 plus whips around.... and sit your bag down, unzip and IMMEDIATLY have the EXACT whip you want without disturbing others.

Dutch_jones · Post by **Dutch_jones** » Sat Aug 16, 2008 3:19 pm

IMO a "perfect whip bag" should be able to be worn on your back like a backpack

Shagbd · Post by **Shagbd** » Sat Aug 16, 2008 3:42 pm

Dutch_jones wrote:IMO a "perfect whip bag" should be able to be worn on your back like a backpack

You know what?
that is TOTALLY possible with my idea!!

the guy makin this ferrr me, could easily make shoulder straps to attach to the MOLLE straps.

we were already planning at least a shoulder strap attachment, but backpack attachment is not that much of a problem either

Dutch_jones · Post by **Dutch_jones** » Sat Aug 16, 2008 3:47 pm

Shagbd wrote:
Dutch_jones wrote:IMO a "perfect whip bag" should be able to be worn on your back like a backpack
You know what?
that is TOTALLY possible with my idea!!

the guy makin this ferrr me, could easily make shoulder straps to attach to the MOLLE straps.

we were already planning at least a shoulder strap attachment, but backpack attachment is not that much of a problem either

shoulder is also good, but thats what i've been missing on tother whip bags.
Loving the Idea man ! Gonna follow this

thefish · Post by **thefish** » Sat Aug 16, 2008 4:18 pm

See now, I really DISLIKE backpack straps. Most of what works best for me is just a single, padded shoulder strap, though I can see why some folks would really want full-on backpack straps for long hauls and free hands, so having the MOLLE straps for customization, and ADDITION is a great idea, (because I can see where I MIGHT occasionally want backpack straps, but typically, they are the bane of my existance on any bag I own that has them.)

WhipDude · Post by **WhipDude** » Sun Aug 17, 2008 5:54 pm

Ah. I see what you are looking for now. I'm curious to see a final result. I would have to agree overall, most whip bags don't have enough room or protection.

This man making your bag, is this just for you? Or is he producing it to see how you like it and then it will be offered to all?

Shagbd · Post by **Shagbd** » Sun Aug 17, 2008 7:24 pm

yup TOTALY customization!
if you want a dog on your bag? STRAP A DOG on your bag!! ANYTHING, you name it!

The guy making it, does one-off custom work. Im currently 7th in line so i have a little while to wait..
this is definantly the prototype, but if anymore are needed, he'll gladly make them, but this isnt a "production" type thing...
strictly one at a time, hand made bags....

Magno · Post by **Magno** » Sun Aug 17, 2008 8:25 pm

Perhaps you can mention to him that some of your friends might be interested in it in the future. That way he can hang on to the plans, or whatever he uses to make them with.

Shagbd · Post by **Shagbd** » Sun Aug 17, 2008 9:25 pm

DONE!

WhipDude · Post by **WhipDude** » Wed Aug 20, 2008 8:43 pm

Good work Shagbd! Depending on this turns out, I might be on the list for sure. I could use a good one right now.

kooniu · Post by **kooniu** » Thu Aug 21, 2008 8:00 am

Shagbd wrote:DONE!

:

hmmm only I don't see it ..

: