Club Obi Wan

I know kangaroo is the best but what other hides can be used and how do they compare to ‘roo?

Best,
Herr Jones

I've used chrome-tanned cowhide, latigo, chrome-tanned deer hide, brain-tanned deer hide, elk hide, and bison (buffalo) hide at one time or another for whipmaking. I even tried to make a whip from vinyl (plastic leather subsitute) in my early days.

While all of the above can be used in a whip, the only two leathers other than 'roo worth consideration by Indy fan would chrome-tanned cowhide and vegetable tanned cowhide.

For starters I should say that kangroo is the ABSOLUTE BEST for whips any pretty much everything else pales in comparison for strength, handling, longevity, and beauty. This is why many whips used by performers are made from kangaroo hide. For the Indy fan and Indy-style whip cracker who is looking to crack a whip like Harrison Ford, however, the finer qualities of kangaroo are not required.

I make my cowhide Indy-style bullwhips from chrome-tanned cowhide. Properly selected hides are strong, well oiled, and produce a whip that will last for years. To maintain strength cowhide whips are usually slightly larger in diameter and heavier than their kangaroo counterparts.

Whips made from vegetable-tanned cowhide, such as those made by Bernardo del Carpio and the cowhide Indys at Western Stage Props, come closer to the look of a new Indy whip as the leather has a 'natural tan' color. This leather is also strong, though it is not plaited as finely as kangaroo again because it is not as strong as kangaroo.

Generally, cowhide whips will break in and break down faster than kangaroo whips, but this would be more noticeable to a performer spending hours a day developing a complicated routine than to a hobbiest learning the three basic cracks. The main appeal of cowhide whips over 'roo whips is cost and hide availability. Cows are domesticated and quality tannages of cow hide will be available for a long time and the supply will be not as afftected by drought as kangaroo. Cowhide whips from reputable makers cost about half as much as a comparable kangaroo whip.

Whips are sort of like cars: some will handle better than others based on how they're made and what they're made from, but not everyone learning to drive has to learn on a Porsche.

-Adam, www.winrichwhips.com

PS: I'm sure I left something out that you were curious about, so please let me know if there's anything else I can add to help answer your question.

Adam,
The extensive info you gave is exactly what I was looking to find, thanks. What is the thickness of the chrome-tanned cowhide you use for your whips?

Best,
Herr Jones

The thickness of the chrome-tanned cowhide I use is around 2 mm, or between 3 to 5 oz.

-Adam