OK...So everyone wants to hear the story again. I'll rehash.
I don't think I've ever posted all of my whips, but since there are a few in other people's possession, I'll just post the ones I have pictures of.
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.
My first whip, circa 1994---following a recipe from a veritable pamphlet of a book from Tandy Leather: "Whipmaking: A Beginner's Guide", by Dennis Rush...Homely, ain't it? Hand-cut laces (as opposed to a lacing tool), nail foundation, epoxy pommel, leather-core...8-plait overlay over a 4-plait belly...
http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj73 ... 9410x7.jpg
My second---a 16' cowhide with 3/16" aircraft cable. Almost a snakewhip, but cracks like a shotgun blast...Circa 1995. I think it's 14-plait.
http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj73 ... 9510x7.jpg
#3---A 12'. This one started as one for the wife...Circa '95-'96. Cowhide.
http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj73 ... 9510x7.jpg
These first three were complete stand-alone one-offs...Afterwards, I would get a little more serious, change from Cowhide to Latigo, and start trying to actively tweak my own formula. These all featured hollow brass handles mated to a solid brass pommel. The first whip I made was the 10' 12-plait whip designed to be my 'main' whip--which it was, until I gave it to my best friend on the occasion of his wedding. I still miss it...But it was for a good cause! I have yet to snap pix of it...But eventually I will.
My friend then commissioned me to build a whip to his specs---similar to the 10', but it was in the neighborhood of 15'...and 14-plait. Need a picture of this one, too. These have held up very well, and are nice whips aside from being pretty heavy.
The last leather whip I did was similar to the two I made for my friend---but it was a monster. I used leather that was a wee bit too thick, and the unfortunate choice of a 6" handle foundation. This was circa 1999-2000. It was uncrackable, but I revisited it in 2005 and did much to improve it. Not my favorite, but at least it's finally acceptable for what it is.
So, after getting married, changing jobs, starting a career, and having kids, I laid off of the whips for a couple of years--I still cracked them, and I still had some ideas bouncing around in the back of my head... But I didn't build any. I had yet to produce the 'formula', but I was getting closer.
In April of 2006, during an Internet search for a whip-enthusiasts group in San Francisco, I discovered that there was a branch within driving distance of my town--so I went. I didn't know what I'd find.
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.
My first Nylon whip was an experiment from the beginning---But I made a very active effort to figure a few things out, and finally nail down the 'formula'. I used a lot of the feedback I got from the elders at the Whip Enthusiasts meet. It came out well, but there were still a few flaws in the design. I noted this and adjusted my recipe.
10' Nylon, circa 2006: 16-plait over 10-plait, dual-belly, 3/32" cable-core, billet aluminum handle, stainless pommel...
http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj73 ... 0610x7.jpg
Next I made a shorter whip-something new for me. Apart from the first whip (which worked OK, but wasn't a daily user--more of a learning experience), I'd never made or used a whip less than 10'. So, I tweaked the formula and came up with a 6'--
http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj73 ... 0610x7.jpg
It was an interesting whip, and closer to what I wanted---So I made more notes and moved on. I thought I was beginning to be on to something!
My next whip, an 8', I incorporated many of the tweaks I'd learned over the years, and added yet more experimental touches. As with the past two, the entire process was documented. What resulted was a
very smooth and accurate whip. It got great feedback with the 'elders'. I felt I was really getting somewhere:
http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj73 ... 0710x7.jpg
This is actually one of the whips I'm talking about carrying in my car. It's really a good balance, and pretty lightweight without being
too light.
So...Only one problem remained. None of my whips looked anything like Indy's! I set about making a couple to fill that need, but in Nylon. My next whip was semi-experimental, building on the success of the formula for the last 8' black nylon--So I dubbed the 'new' formula 'Version 2'. The handle, core, and pommel were all the same---but I added some different filler materials around the core, and stiffening around the transition area. As a result, I also brought the final overlay to 18-plait.
The result was my 12' 'Indy' whip. The only quibble I have is that the wrist strap is not SA length, being instead built shorter to fit around my wrist in use. Here it is:
http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj73 ... cial08.jpg
Note that in this picture, the turk's-head still has gaps---it being my first since the very first whip i'd made 14 years earlier. I've since completely remedied it---it's on the left in the picture below, with its 10' brother...
http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj73 ... ials-s.jpg
My last whip was built as a 10', to give me options when deciding what to wear to the premiere. I built it with a SA length strap, and got the Turk's Head right the first time. It's currently the first one I reach for, whether cracking in the yard or attending an event. An overall very, very nice whip.
http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj73 ... cial-s.jpg
I've started of late to make my own crackers, as well---I was braiding waxed nylon shoelaces into crackers for a while, but now I make classic-style crackers with Spectra line...I like them an awful lot.....
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.
In truth, I've always just made them for me--making a whip is such a labor-intensive experience, it's almost not even worth it unless you can charge a premium for your work. And by the time I'm done with one, I'm ready to name it and raise it as my own!
My next project? I think I'm finally ready to apply the formula to Kangaroo. I'm no stranger to leather, as I've been doing leatherwork for years. It's what originally brought me to whipmaking in the first place. I recently made ALL of my leather goods for the premiere of KotCS--Gunbelt, holster, whipholder, bag strap.
The 'Roo whip will probably take a little while to percolate, but I can already start to feel the bug again......
