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!"
My new JS 10 ft Indy is twisting toward the last 2 feet of the whip ( not including the fall or popper). The last 2 feet has become stiff & started "S" twisting & spiraling. You can bend the end & the leather stays in that position. When it kinks up like this, it doesn't want to crack easily. I grab it & straighten it w/ my hand it & then it cracks, but shortly after,... the last 2 ft kink up again. The leather is stiff and it only bends in rolling curves(not sharp bends). I have only had it 3 weeks & used it about 7 times. I do relaxed cracks . nothing hard. I've pecarded it the day I got it & one more time. The rest of the whip up the thong is nice & flexible. Is this last 2 ft kinking/spiraling on its own effect during cracking sessions normal? Is it cause for concern? It does seem to prevent cracking on a throw.
I don't know what would cause the last 2 feet of your "to become" stiff suddenly. You better go straight to Joe. It seems like something has gone awry in the belly, but not seeing the whip I cannot make that judgement.
You do not need to pecard the whip so often, unless you are in a dry & arid climate such as Arizona or California. Usually a whip needs to get conditioned once every 6 months depending on climate and use. Usually a whip just made needs no conditioning either, as plenty has been applied during the process of plaiting.
Quite often newbies will overcondtion a new whip hoping it breaks in faster. DON'T DO THAT. To break it in, use it honestly. Keep your falls conditioned every day that you use them. Some whipcracking competitors condition their falls before and after every practice. There's nothing wrong with that. Falls get dry and snap easily when dry.
I gave Joe a call & he eliviated my concerns on my whip. Turns out its just part of breaking in the whip & its actually a perfectly normal & good thing. Joe is such a helpful & friendly guy. He even gave me a few pointers on improving my techniques. I feel better about the thing now!
. nothing hard. I've pecarded it the day I got it & one more time. The rest of the whip up the thong is nice & flexible. Is this last 2 ft kinking/spiraling on its own effect during cracking sessions normal? Is it cause for concern? It does seem to prevent cracking on a throw.
I feel better about the thing now!