It has begun

[Lukes Roommate]

Quick intro, I've been a silent member here for a little while. Researching whips, reading up on various techniques etc.
I borrowed a friend's Indy costume at Halloween last year, and was instantly smitten with the whip (his was a Todd's), and wanted to learn the craft.

For Christmas, my wife bought me a Joe Strain 8ft 28th Anniversary Raiders Whip! Especially awesome considering I only showed her a pic of it once on my iPhone, 2 months prior, casually stating "This is the whip I'm looking to get".

I got to start it's break-in period this weekend as we had our first batch of nice, warm dry weather up here in Southern Ontario.
This whip is a real work of art. It cracks effortlessly, seems alive in my hand and does what I want it to do.

I knew the Overhead Crack going in, and over the weekend learned the Forward Flick and the Underhand Flick.
I also managed to link the Underhand Flick into an Overhead Crack. And will be trying out the Cattleman's Crack this week, weather permitting.

I have gone over Adam Winrich's YouTube vids whenever I can, so that helped a lot. I've also ordered the Basics DVD from Anthony De Longis. For now, I'm concentrating on form, and making sure everything is in order as I perform a crack.

I am absolutely thrilled with my Raiders Whip, and have to reiterate how incredible Joe's work is, and what a pleasure he is to deal with. He helped my wife out with everything she needed and got her the whip in time for me to open it Christmas day. It arrived Christmas Eve, so it was close!

I'm looking forward to my journey down this path!

Ryan

P.S. My wife said to me yesterday, while watching me wield the whip, "You want the 10ft now too, don't you?"....Oh she knows me too well...

[IndianaChris711]

Welcome Lukes Roommate!! Great story on receiving your first whip, looks like your wife is getting you a second. I have a Joe strain Raiders whip, while it may not be the 28th Anniversary whip it is a work of art. Joe is extremely helpful in getting what type of whip you want. He is a great guy to talk over the phone to and knows whips very well. He learned from the best, what else can I say. You have already started yourself off great in getting a Strain and sounds like your getting the basic cracks down well. Took me some practice in order to get them down, but I need a better instructional DVD than the one I have. I probably will go with the Basics DVD, as I do not have that one. Welcome to COW and I hope you come for the gear and stay for the people. You have a very knowledgeable wife and she knows you very well. That is great blessing.

IndianaChris

[IndianaBravo]

Welcome aboard Lukes Roommate!

Indeed it has begun, and you couldnt have gotten off to a better start than with a whip from Joe. I have two of his and they are both just incredible and functional works of art. Kudos also on your "better half" getting you one for Christmas. All I get from mine is a Marge Simpson type "hmmmmm" reproach every time I indulge in my hobby
Adam is certainly a great source for picking up whip cracking know how. Anyway, I hope you have fun here and "hold on to your potatoes !" You are in for quite a ride...

Cheers!

IndianaBravo

[Lukes Roommate]

Thanks guys!
It's like an addiction this whip craft (wow, there's a Frank Sinatra pun..."Cause it's whipcraft, wicked whipcraft,...").

Spent last night learning the underhand flick into a forward flick (2/3rds of the Cairo Flash?).
It felt awesome to get that flowing! Now I guess I will have to add the third part to that combo. Sadly, we have rain forecast for the next 3 days