Club Obi Wan

Hi,
I've been leaving my whip outside in the sun to help it darken. Is it possible to leave it in the sun for too long? Does doing this dry the whip out fast? Should I apply pecards dressing afterwards, and how much? Any advice? Thanx
-Scott

Whip "baking" isn't necessary. Your whip will darken up naturally over time and with use. But if you just can't wait, be sure to give it a heavy coat of Pecards when you're through. If the whip soaks up this heavy coat really fast give it another. Let it sit for a day or so. The sun really dries out your whip and if you don't keep it well oiled you'll end up with dry, cracked strands that break instead of flexing.

-Kyle

I wouldn't sun bath your whips. Heat in general is bad for leather. It will dry it out the fibers and the whip will loose integrity.

Since you have "sunbathed" it, I would check for dryness throughout the thong and fall area. I would apply just a light coat of Pecards, let it soak in and check to see for the absorption at the end of 24 hours. If it completely absorbed, ie. there is no visible sign of Pecards, then apply another *thin* coat. Be careful not to apply too much over the knots, they will unravel with too much conditioner.

Honestly, within about 6 months of constant use your whip will turn a nice, brown color without resorting to sunbathing.

-S

I agree, sunbathing is not a good idea for you bullwhip, if you want it to darken use a colored leather onditioner and as always apply some form of leather conditioner about every 6 months. Store your whip in a clean dry, warm place, don't let them get damp or mildewing will occure. Remember to crack it at least once a week to keep it healthy, the worst thing you can do for a whip is to let it sit around, cracking the whip is the best thing for it.

I believe that this was posted before but I will post it again...

Last year my whip was in my back during my trip to San Diego...the whip was coated in Pecards and I noticed that it darkened up quite a bit during the drive...now I will note that it was quite warm out and most likely a result of the heat, but not direct heat.

Now someone else posted that they tried a hairdryer with similar changes.

While these options may not be the best for your whip, my whip doesn't appear to be dry or have any cracking. But I do keep a regular coat of Pecards on it.

The same thing happened to me and my whip in the trunk of a buddy's car. I beleive it's HEAT and not light that darkens the leather. As stated though...not good for the leather.

-Rabittooth

Well after all, these whips cost several hundred dollars. What's a few months? I was talking to Joe Strain when I ran into him earlier this year on this subject, and he mentioned someone "microwaved" one of his whips. Of course he couldn't do anything after the poor fella nuked his whip to a charred coil. And then Jo Benson at Western Stage Props told me of whips coming back after a customer put it into the oven. Guys, come-onnnnnn! Be careful... -S

Just get out there a couple of times a week on nice sunny days and use your whip. You will be amazed at how quickly it tans just from that little bit of exposure to the sun. And definitely avoid the microwave, oven, stove top, bbq grill, spit fire, blow torch and any other quick fix ways of tanning your whip!

Sergei,

That may have been me, with the microwaving part. I nuked a strip of natural tan leather for a whip I made for Jim Markell. He wanted a darker turk's head at the handle/thong junction. Not having any darker leather, and knowing that this knot was purely decorative and not load bearing, I gave it to the microwave. I greased it with plaiting soap and nuked, several times for about 2.5 minutes total. It DID darken up, but it also left a horrible smell. However, I would never recommend nuking a whip to darken it. Nukin' the Aldens may be a different story.

Best Regards,

Paul Stenhouse

Hi,
Thanks for all the advice guys. I found illumination from your replies.
-Scott

I like to use a magnifying glass when sun-bathing my whip. (jk!)

I have never left a whip out in the sun for the sole purpose of darkening it. That said, when I go cracking, they are usually laying out in a row in the sun while I spend quality time with each of them. My Strain, by far the lightest of the bunch, has acquired a very slight tan in the three months I've had it. I clean and condition all of them every time I use them. I havent noticed any ill effects from their hours-long exposure. Whip were originally made for working out in mother nature anyway. They should stand up to general use. As for artificial processes, abandon all hope all ye who enter here ...

Sergei wrote:and he mentioned someone "microwaved" one of his whips. Of course he couldn't do anything after the poor fella nuked his whip to a charred coil. And then Jo Benson at Western Stage Props told me of whips coming back after a customer put it into the oven.

I think Bobby Flays' take on all of this is that you REALLY need to use extremely low heat on the BBQ grill...

(and for those who are scratchin' their heads right now... turn on Food chanel at around 8pm...).

Dalexs