From falls & poppers to plaiting & cracking technique, this section is dedicated in memory of Sergei, IndyGear Staff Member and Whip Guru. Always remember to keep "Celebratin' Life!"
If I post this in the wrong place I am sorry, but just wanted to say Hello for the first time.
I am a regular on the replica props forum and I am trying to find my "Inner Indy" " here !
Thanks for letting me join the quest.
First Question: Best whip that'll grow with me from beginner to expert whipcracker I was thinking about a JS Whiskey 8 or 10 footer or going for a DM 8 or 10 footer.
I don't know if you want to drop 500 bones on a Dave Morgan as a beginner, but an 8 footer is probably a good start, just the maker might be the tougher choice.
Welcome Ken, Like Mr Das says, I highly recommend an 8 foot whip over a 10 foot, no matter what maker you choose. The 8 is much easier to crack and more accurate as well. I have a 10 and a 12 and hardly ever use them. My 8 and my 6 get all my time. I have 3 sons who also whip, they could choose any whip but always crack the 6 or the 8, as well.
As for the maker one would choose David Morgan if one wanted a whip by the maker of the Indy whips. He made all the Indy whips and popularized the American bull whip by adapting the Australian bull in the 70’s. Mr. Morgan is in his mid 70’s, hand makes all his whips himself. If you use a Morgan correctly it will last 20 years.
On the other hand a David Morgan whip costs twice as much as other makers. If you can’t pull the trigger on a Morgan I recommend a Strain or a Stenhouse. Both make almost exact replicas of Morgan’s, cost half the price and are of the highest quality. They will last just as long as the Morgan.
Let us know what you choose, how you like it and how it cracks. I like people who use their whips. Too many people treat a whip like a prop and rarely ever crack it.
Hello fellow Jersey person. A state where Bon Jovi and Camaros thrive.
I recommend the Joe Strain 8 foot whip. I got mine a few months ago and love it. When it arrived it was a bit stiff, but two months of average use have broken it in nicely. Great tan color too! Remember over time it will darken from use and exposure to the elements.
What part of NJ are you from? I'm up in Bergen County. Drop me an email or a PM if you want. I also have a couple of whips here that I haven't sent out to customers yet, if you want to come and take a look at them.
So as not to sound like someone plugging myself, I'll recommend either one of those two you listed. I have met both of them and they are both nice people. You won't be disappointed. The biggest two differences that I am aware of between them is that Joe's whip will be stiffer, but that he typically uses narrower strands. If you go with Joe, I'm sure he'll cut them as wide as DM if you ask him to.
8 or 10 feet will do you fine, but as a beginner, using an 8 footer is more forgiving. Make sure you buddy up with someone that can show you how to crack, or get ahold of a video on the market that will show you how.
I should also mention that I do have a group that gets together for some whipcracking a couple of Sundays every month. So feel free to come out and do some cracking no matter who you get your whip from. Whip cracking lessons are always free out here, and we're always excited to help anyone who wants to learn.
I am leaning toward the whiskey colored Joe Strain 12 plait 8 footer right now, but I'm still doing my homework. I love that not quite brown looks like Raiders look !
Now I need recommendations for a hat and jacket. Will Wested do a 54 Regular so I can put my ponderous self in it ? Do they run large ?
You really should take a look a Stenhouse as well. The price is certainly more reasonable and the quality is top notch. There should be a link to his site in his .sig and on IndyGear. Note that he has gotten some notice from David Morgan, which is pretty impressive.
...now that I've said my piece I can keep sitting by the mailbox waiting for my Stenhouse Whip Cracking and Maintenance DVD.
Sergei wrote:A helmet is not necessary, but a hat with a wide brim. In fact, an Indy fedora is perfect. Oh yeah, no shorts.
-Sergei
Hey Sergi,
If'n ya wanna find out where that whip is travelling when you are learning new routines, wear only a pair of shorts with the hat and glasses. Then after a few miscalculated throws you can go in and look in the mirror. Those red welts will show you exactly where the throw went wrong!
Also, when someone is watching you with the whip and it kisses you real soundly, take a page from the baseball player who was hit by a pitch - "You aren't supposed to rub it!"
Jerry R - who most always wears a long sleeved shirt and jeans. Mostly
here !
I was thinking about a JS Whiskey 8 or 10 footer or going for a DM 8 or 10 footer.
