Club Obi Wan

Mark Allen just called me on another matter (see below post script), but we started talking about Joe Strain. Mark also just was on the phone with Joe, so here is the situation.

Joe has a couple of bad tendons in his hand that need to mend, so per his doctor's orders, he needs to take 2 months off. He will not be braiding for at least 2 months so that his hand heals properly. During this time, Joe being the young man that he is (26), he will be contemplating what direction his life will take him. For example, either furthering his higher education and starting a different career, getting hitched, moving to another part of the country, etc. He is taking advantage of this time off to contemplate what he needs to do. However, he was fairly emphatic that he will not totally drop out of making whips if he were to go into a completely different direction. He loves making whips and cracking them too much, to give totally up. Or he may after 2 months decide that he will remain making whips full time as before. But one thing is certain, his annual production will be reduced so that this injury will not happen again in the future.

So, here is the PUNCH LINE. Mark is going to get the entire WWAC crowd to send Joe a"Get Well" card and send a message for him to start making whips again. In addition we here at IndyGear should send him a "Get Well" card as well. Let's all of us either get a card commercially or you guys (gals) can get creative and make your very own ARTWORK on a card with our logos. I think it's better for him to receive hundreds of cards from all of his fans rather than one big one. Mark agreed that he needs some cheering up now and he would appreciate all his support from his fans.

Joe's address is:
Joe Strain
c/o Northern Whip Co.
P.O. Box 1234
Rathdrum, ID 83858-1234

Thanks for your help!!!!

-Sergei

p.s. Mark called me to inquire about Lee Keppler's belts, holsters, whip holders, gun replicas, etc. He is currently updating his 2003 catalog. So don't be surprised that you can now order Lee's goodies from Mark, who will have a constant inventory. This is good news for everybody....

p.s.s. Also another message to you all from Joe Strain, is that he will still be selling his supplies, like falls, crackers, etc. He will also do minor work on whips for repair type work. We want to make sure that his business is not totally shut down. If you want you can probably place an order for your whips, once he is back in the saddle.

Please keep us posted on when he's back in the saddle again. It's been a hope of mine to eventually get a 7-9 foot Joe Strain whip.

I'll be sending him a card next week! It's sad news about his situation but good that he may still not quit entirely. His whips are wonderful, I love my 10-foot and just got my wife a 6-foot. Yes, she wanted her own thank's to the TX Summit and learning how to crack one. Now my neighbors will think we're both nuts!
Here's to Joe's full recovery, and to more great JS Whips!

If you're reading this Joe, good luck! If you decide to get out of the business, we'll miss ya, and don't be a stranger! You'll always be an honored guest of Indyland and Gearheads everywhere!

I talked to Joe Strain today. I needed some supplies and delicately brought up the subject of "mending". He's on schedule and the pain in his left hand is better. He told me that he has done 2 whips at a very slow pace and the hand is better. The bigger problem now is that the callouses have gone away, so it makes for a tougher situation braiding with tender hands.

Anyway, good news is that he is taking orders again. He will put you on the list. He is going to resume braiding in December with January being in full action. However he is going to limit production to about two per week. Yikes!

He wanted to say thank you to all that have sent him "Get Well" cards. He said his mailbox was full several times. And he really felt it was so much of nice gesture receiving cards from people he didn't know. Anyway, if you haven't sent one, please do, since he is still on the mend.

Get your order in, is my advice. Talked to Western Stage Props as well. You can submit orders for a Joe Strain there as well.

-Sergei

That's wonderful news!!!! I still wanted to add an 8 footer to our growing collection of JS Whips, and may just have to give Mark Allen a buzz here soon. With the "new" Indy Gear and Obi Wan clothing line now up and running, maybe we should all pitch in $1 or so and get JS a Sweatshirt! Just an idea...

Minnesota_Jones wrote:That's wonderful news!!!! I still wanted to add an 8 footer to our growing collection of JS Whips, and may just have to give Mark Allen a buzz here soon. With the "new" Indy Gear and Obi Wan clothing line now up and running, maybe we should all pitch in $1 or so and get JS a Sweatshirt! Just an idea...

Are you building the Joe Strain Whip Museum? <grin> How is that 6 footer cracking?