Club Obi Wan

I called and ordered an eight foot David Morgan whip, yesterday. I have been putting it off for some time.

I began to think about what would happen if David retired, or if the draught continues and he stops making whips if he has trouble getting quality hides as he has stated. Would he eventually start making whips again? I thought that if he stops making whips, the price of his used whips would increase. I realized that if I continued to put it off, I may end up missing out on getting a David Morgan whip. I knew that with all of the things that I have collected so far, I am not happy with close enoughs, I just don't stop until I get the real deal. So, I would never be happy with a whip until I have a David Morgan, and I might as well get one while I can.

After giving my information to the person that answered the phone, I asked a question. She said that she wasn't sure and that she would check to see if David was available and let me ask him. She put me on hold, and a few moments later David Morgan got on the phone.

I found him to be a very nice and pleasant man. Quite talkative, too. I asked him a question and then he started talking about the history of whipmaking, how his whips have changed over the years, a little about his business, who he thinks are some of the best young whip makers today, how much practice that it takes to become proficient with a whip, his own whipcracking ability, the amazing things that some people can do with a whip, a little about hats, talked about the whips that he made for the Indiana Jones movies, and maybe a few more things that I have forgotten.

He said that he doesn't think that he is that good with a whip, but he does know how to crack one. He said that he cracks every whip that he makes, just to check it out. He said that he thinks it takes at least three hours of practice a day to become real good with a whip.

Anyway, the answer to my question was, he would be making my whip himself as Meagan is working on other projects right now, and that it would be ready in two to three weeks.

Congradulations Bufflehead! There is nothing like owning the real deal handcrafted by a master.

Hey Bufflehead I guess I dont need to buy one if you have your DM. I will save myself some money and crack yours Like I always say...What are friends for I cant wait to see it. I know you have been wanting one for some time now.

GRG,

No, you can't hang mine on the wall of your home theater. I just thought that I would tell you before you asked.

Bufflehead you know me too well....Please You can borrow it anytime you want

Thanks, Zach. I agree. There are plenty of good whip makers out there, but because of the Indy connection, I just had to get a David Morgan.

"The stuff that dreams of made of."
Good for you Buff. If there is something you feel you must have and you can provide for yourself, do it. As it has been said, "Regret the things you do, not the things you don't do." And I don't think anyone has ever regretted the purchase of a Morgan.

Post pics when you have them.

Thanks, HJ. Sometimes, I sit around and wonder what piece of Indy gear or prop that I want to get next. Most of the things, I feel will be available for a long time. I was starting to get antsy about the David Morgan and decided to go ahead and pull the trigger.

I don't know how long David plans on making whips, but I didn't want to wait too long and miss the boat. When I spoke to him, he said that he had enough skins to last about three or four months. He said that he was hoping to get a new shipment in, soon. With the information that we have read about the draught and how hard it is to get quality hides, who knows.

Congrats Bufflehead. I didn't think you would take the plunge due to the last exchange we had on the subject. ) Your stated reason was my exact line of thinking several years back. Three Morgan's later.... You just never know when he is going to stop making whips. And you just know when he stops, the price is going to go up for a used Morgan.

Thanks, Sergei. It was just a big misunderstanding. I think that we agree on just about everything about a Morgan whip. I am still puzzled about how we got into an argument over it. If it was in person and not over the internet, it probably wouldn't have happened. I know that I can lay on the sarcasm at times, so I'll take the blame for it. How's that?

I have been tip toeing around mentioning his age, but I am glad that he is still physically able to make whips and that I was able to get one.

I am much more of an Indiana Jones fan than I am a whip enthusiast. I do like to mess around with whips, now that I have tried it. But let's face it, if it wasn't for Indy, I never would have tried it. So, it makes sense for me to buy "the" Indy whip if I am going to buy one. I must admit that I have been tempted at times to buy a Paul Stenhouse or a Joe Strain.

I listened to what a lot of people have said concerning the length that I ordered, including David Morgan himself. I got the eight foot because you can do more cracks with it and it is easier to handle. The ten foot has more coils and looks better on the belt, but I do intend to actually use the whip, not just carry it around.

Now that I have the whip taken care of, I must decide which Indy item to pursue next. Ummm....

Wise choice on the length. 8 footers (bullwhips - not stock whips) are just an absolute great length for more versatillaty than a 10 footer.

Well Morgan's age is no secret. It's right on the inside cover on all his books:
" David Morgan, 1925 - ". Another example of someone belonging to the greatest generation.

I didn't realize he was pushing 80, that gives me a new found respect of the guy.

Yeah, I know I bought by 10 footer from David earlier this summer for many of the same reasons Bufflehead and Sergei did. I also picked up a used 8 ft. Morgan, so now I've got two, which is exactly two more than Paul Nolan has

I've talked with whipcrackers who bought Morgans 10-20 years ago and I always as them what they're going to do with their whips. One guy said they were going to his children. A blacksmith I know has a 12 ft. and it happens to be the first Morgan I ever saw in person. I think if I work at him and pay a really high price I might get him to part with it.

I think the interesting thing to do would be to collect older Morgans and compare the vintages. I know that my used 8 footer was made in 2000 and it is quite different from my new 10 footer. Now I suppose I should try and find one made in 1995 to get a better spread.

On the other hand, when I consider the price of a Morgan, I think of the whips made by Fraser, Murphy, or Chris Barr and think that I could get a really fine stockwhip (probably 20-plait) for the same price as a new Morgan. Morgans are probably still a better investment, however, considering how prices are appreciating. After all, I don't think there's a website/forum like this one of people looking for a whip just like the one used in 'The Man from Snowy River.'

-Adam, www.winrichwhips.com

Bufflehead, congratulations on the whip. DM sounds like a great guy.

Would love to see some pictures.

Congratulations on your whip Bufflehead! And thanks for filling us in on your experience with David. I know you will enjoy having "the whip" for years to come.

Have a great day,

Congratulations BJ, IMO a David Morgan bullwhip is as good as it gets. Often imitated or copied it is a part of whip making and Indy history you can use everyday for 10 + years knowing that’s what it was made for.

Let us know how you like cracking it.

Thanks
Bill Walton

Thanks, guys. I'm still sittin' here waitin' for it.

Congrats as well from up here in Minnesota! DM is a class act, and I was truly fortunate to get to meet the man in person two years ago. My 8 ft DM is doing fine and has darkened up nicely since then. A DM is truly a work of art! Please be sure to post pictures of that bad boy when you get it my friend!

MJ, where did you meet him, on one of your road trips?

Congrats Buff, a wise decision indeed. I wanted one badly but opted for a 10' Joe Strain instead. (wimped out on the price)

Now I'm hoping I can scrape enough pennies together in time to get a DM before he retires.

Bufflehead Jones wrote:MJ, where did you meet him, on one of your road trips?

MJ had the same experience as me. When I ordered my 8 footer, I timed the completion by visiting David himself. Here's a picture of me receiving my 8 footer from David:


MJ has a similar photo.

-Sergei

Sergei,

That is a cool photo to have. Kind of like going to the Corvette factory to pick up your car. It would be a long way for me, so I have to settle for the $7 shipping option. As a matter of fact, that is a pretty long way for MJ, too. That fella sure does get around.

Bufflehead Jones wrote:MJ, where did you meet him, on one of your road trips?

Yup, on our roadtrip two years ago to the QM, we turned North after the QM all the way to Seattle before heading back East. Here's a pic in the shop with David Morgan and Kyle "The Edge"

Well, David Morgan told me that it would take two to three weeks for him to make my whip. It arrived a little while ago. Two weeks to the day. I took it right out of the package and put some Pecard's on it as it did not seem to have any on it. It seemed to soak that stuff up pretty quick.

I then took it right out side to see if it cracks. The good news is that it actually cracks. The bad news is that it is a different size than I am used to and it makes my timing off or something. I am not as good with it yet as I am with my other whip. Like they say practice makes perfect. Well, I certainly need the practice because I am not that good at it yet, anyway.

Before any one has a chance to ask, I will put up some pics as soon as I can. It won't be right away as I will be at the Medical Center almost all day tomorrow having some tests done. (I may be in trouble as I didn't even study for them) I will be there from 8am to about 3pm. The next five days I have to work, so it probably won't get done then, either. On my next days off, I will have to see if I can get Mrs. Bufflehead to help me get some posted.

Whooohoooo

Congrats Bufflehead! I know you will enjoy having "the whip" for years to come.

Crack it in good health,

I think you'll like the 8 foot length. What length had you been used to cracking with?

Hey Buffle i'm looking forward to hurting myself trying to crack that thing I just hope I dont put an eye out or anything

ITG,

A little four foot one that I won at one of the Gettysburg summits. It was the only whip that I had. I could do all the basic cracks with it, but it is real fast compared to the eight footer.

Hey, Bufflehead... can I come over to play?

bink

Buff, yeah, the little ones are alot faster (a real whippersnapper). I think you'll like the change. Just be sure to wear eye protection.

Don't worry, ITG. My bifocals provide some eye protection and I have to always have them on, otherwise, I wouldn't be able to tell which direction in the yard I am supposed to crack the whip. Heck, I might even hit my house with it.

Sure bink. Come on over. Just give me a chance to hide my wallet.

Well, here are a couple of pics of the new David Morgan. I took some outside cracking the whip when I got home from work, but it was too overcast and the whip didn't show up in the photos. So, I will have to pick a sunny day and try again.



Here is a couple close ups.

very impressive my friend


About the colour... the seem to be too light, maybe it's just the photo exposition.

Great whip dear Buff

Erri,

It is natural tan. The same as they made for the movies. It will darken up with time and use.

Bufflehead Jones wrote:Erri,

It is natural tan. The same as they made for the movies. It will darken up with time and use.

Right! i forgot that leather get darker very fast