What to expect from a nylon whip?

[Indiana Jake]

I just purchased a Krist King Nylon whip in 8 ft length. This is to be my 'beater' practice whip to use when no one is around, let friends try, and for me to use on wet grass. This whip did not have a popper installed so I added one that a friend gave me. Can anyone recommend the ideal type of popper for a nylon whip? This one just doesn't produce the sharp crack that most would be familiar with. Maybe it's the whip? When I received it, it was coiled up, and has some kinks toward the end. Will the kinks come out? I think it is waxed. It is extremely light compared to my J. Strain whips.
I did not buy this whip without trying one first. I had a chance to crack one that a friend owned, and it seemed to work just fine. Maybe it needs a specific type or amount of break-in to perform better?
I have consulted an number of different nylon whip makers that described their whips and the construction. I am still in the market for a high quality Indy style nylon whip, and never expected this one to take its place. However I did have some higher expectations of this product. Any ideas?

Cracking softly,

Indiana Jake

[hollywood1340]

Let's start with the thing behind the whip, the person using it. I'm not claiming to know you or your experience but it may not be the whip. Also treat all your whips as the prize possessions they are and your "beater" will last much longer. As for poppers, check the tutorials on how to take them and the threads on this board. Make a few different ones and fine one that works with the whip. Nylon is an awesome material for a whip and I'm told Mr. King is one of the best. Oh pics would be cool too. Congrats on your purchase!

[Alkali Jones]

Hey Indiana Jake,

I got my eight foot nylon bullwhip from classicwhips (James Emory) after having owned an Austalian eight foot kangaroo hide stock whip. I remember the 'roo hide breaking in much faster than the nylon! I have bad shoulders from over twenty years in the garage door industry (winding springs) and I must go at it easy or else. I about thought that nylon whip would kill me before it cracked easily. To me, nylon seems much stiffer at first, but my experience is small. See what others say as well. Good luck with your whip.

Dan S

[Dangerman009]

Artificial sinew works well for poppers. As does decoy cord, that's what I use. If it's got kinks in it try rolling it between two boards. As for it not producing a sharp crack, it could be because of the lighter weight of the whip and the popper (is the popper floppy or stiff? I think stiff works better), don't know for sure. A shorter (not that 8 ft. is short, but it's shorter than 10 ft.) and lighter weight whip will have a quicker action. Try adjusting your timing. I don't think that it's being waxed would affect it's performance. Hope that helps.

[floridacrackerbullwhips]

It has been my experience that you will find that nylon whip makers use varying methods to create taper in a whip. One method sometimes used is to wrap the entire core length with electrical tape, vet rap or both to create a base taper to the whip. A whip constructed in this manner will require a long time to break in and handle well. Another issue is proper weight distribution, if the whip is not properly balanced it won’t handle well either. As far as the cracker goes if the whip is new it may be some time before the whip will crack well with any type of cracker. It has been my experience that a well made whip will crack well with any type of cracker, but you can vary the tone of the report with varying cracker designs.

http://www.floridacrackerbullwhips.com

[EvilDean]

post a pic so we can see!

I own a krist king 8ft nylon aswell, and it cracks without problem, even in heavy winds!



btw.. is the whip yellow with leather TH+ring knots?