Club Obi Wan

Well, getting another piece of gear for my big 18th birthday this year. I am getting a Indy bullwhip from EC Whips. My problem is should I get a 10' or an 8', your opinions? I have a 10' now, I am used to that.

I think a 10 foot is good. Especially since you're used to it. I have a ten foor Keepler and an 8 foot EC, and I much more prefer the 10 foot. Because of the length. If I had a 10 foot EC, I'd be a happy camper.

hi,
I have a 10 ft from Jim ( EC Whips) and its great. Indys whip was a 10 footer, so why to get an 8 footer ;-)

Mike

Well see, I have heard that an 8ft can help expand your skills, I am still 50/50 on the matter. Either way I will end up with a wonderful whip.

Man this question does get asked a lot. Below are 3 topics on this subject that are the most recent. If you read all 3 threads you just about go over the "point vs. counterpoint" on the advantages and disadvantages of 10 footers and 8 footers.

http://www.indygear.com/community/forum ... 7970#17970

http://www.indygear.com/community/forum ... 4103#14103

http://www.indygear.com/community/forum ... 2271#12271

I make my opinion very well known and that is 8 footers are the most versatile whips you can ever have. You can do very fast multiple whip crack routines with an 8 footer, that would at best be very difficult or impossible on the 10 footers.

From my experience, my first 3 whips were 10 footers and that most regretable decision on my part. Once I got my 6 and 8 footers, my skill level went up exponentially. I hardly crack my 10's anymore.

-Sergei

IndianaMike wrote:hi,
I have a 10 ft from Jim ( EC Whips) and its great. Indys whip was a 10 footer, so why to get an 8 footer ;-)

Mike

Not true, Indiana Mike. We know David Morgan supplied about 32 whips in the ranges of 6 feet to 16 feet.

Below is a copy of a post that showed my analysis of the whip used in the Cairo whip scene:

Pyroxene wrote:

Sergei wrote:...plus I measured the whip on a picture and my calculations showed it was an 8.

Ha! That's interesting. It's not that I doubt you but I am just curious as to what you used as a scale or point of reference.

Thanks,
Pyroxene

This analysis was posted last year on the old COW. TOJ posted the picture (see below) and posed the length question. So here is my analysis below.

The following is the reference picture:


I printed the picture. I decided to use the "width" of the bag strap, the "width" of the hat ribbon, to determine the ratio, since I knew those measurements. I then cut a piece of string and measured from the end of the handle to the end of the "braided" part of the whip. Once I calculated the ratio with the known objects, I measure the piece of string and viola, the string came out to be 8 feet with the calculated ratio.

I also studied the cracking done for that scene. Although it's probable to perform that scene with a 10 footer, I still think that fast action can only be done with a 8 footer.

-Sergei

Sergei is 100% correct on that one, it is well obvious that throughout the filming of the movies that many different size whips were used, some longers ones for swinging scene (ToD) and other for cracking (Cairo Scenes). I feel I am will be much happier with an 8 ft since I already have a 10ft, I need some variety, I feel I have mastered the 10ft almost, I want to see what I can do with a much manageble whip.

Ok OK , I'm wrong. But I know that you can't go wrong with a 10 footer ;)

You will be able to do more with the 8 than the 10 and you will be able to do it easier, promise.

The only thing the 10 is better for is hanging on your belt.

My opinion

Bill Walton

What I look forward to the most is finally having an accurate Indy bullwhip. The price just makes it such a nice aquisition, only $190 for an 8ft Indy style bullwhip, amazing. I also look forward to seeing what new cracks and so forth I can do with this 8ft. I am so used to my 10ft, I may find myself out to be a better whip handler then I have thought.

Just remember to practice, practice and practice some more! Once you get your basic skills down like the back of your hand and you improve over time and become proficient in more advanced cracks and routines, you will be able to do almost any crack or routine with any length whip. Just keep at the basics and doing the cracks with good form. The 8 footer will definitely help you in that area.

Jim

Yes indeed, I will be ordering the whip from you within the week, for now I head out into the cold to practice with my 10ft, see ya!