Club Obi Wan

I received my whip from Todd's this week. I don't really know anything about what makes a good whip beyond what I've been reading here but I am thrilled with the look and feel of this baby.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/23332721@N07/2233493023/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/23332721@N07/2233493027/

Hopefully the pics show (this is my first attempt at a post as I know even less about computers than I know about whips!)

Thanks to everyone for providing a great place to visit.

Tron

Wow!! Interesting - I didn't know Todd made a whip. It looks like from the site that the regular one is cast rubber, and the deluxe one is some kind of leather. Be sure to let us know how it works!

Regular

Deluxe

Shane

Very Raiders looking, IMHO. Reminds me of the screen used one that Sergei documented.

Great whip man, looks quite awesome

I also have one of todd's whips it is very nice. It's very is to crack sounds like a shotgun going off.

Wow! That does look verty authentic.........That might not be a bad way to go for someone who's not looking to spend a fortune on a whip.

Nice looking whip, very SA. I would be interested in how it compares to an all leather whip.

-Nebraska

Who's the whipmaker?

Yeah your whip looks very awesome.

wow, since having my IOAB whip ive been wanting a 12 plait version. This looks pretty awesome, i might ahve to get it and sell my other.

I wonder if Todd makes these himself or if he contracts them out, either way for $200 it certainly does look the part.

I think my own biggest concern for these, at least as a whip artist is that it’s constructed with a “durable, solid, industrial urethane rubber core”. I don’t know how well that would stand up over time to serious whip cracking work. Even though it’s flexible rubber, I have a hard time believing that it would be as dynamic and as durable as a plaited belly.

I’d probably want to avoid using a petroleum based leather dressings like Pecards on a whip like this as well. Its been my experience that rubber and petroleum products don’t do well together in the long run.

Dan

todd posted a response on the construction of the whip over at indylounge.com

im seriously considering buying one now. I dont crack my whip nearly as much anymore, its mostly for costuming, but there are those times you want to bust out a crack at an event. If this can do that then thats all i need. But yea im only 22 so ill be able to do indy for many years to come. ID hope by then my whip would last. But then any whip i have that long would get abused anyways. Everyone else is jsut too pricey. Id go with the Adam 12 palit but hes on tour right now for events, so he couldnt make one intime for indy 4's release. Might just buy this todds for now to sufice me. Looks already worked in nicely.

Here's a quote from Todd about the whips he's offering.....Just so everyone here understands how Todd views these.

Let me be clear that I'm not offering this whip as a half-price pagey whip. It is NOT the quality of a well made all kangaroo whip. If that's what you want, then you need to pay for it.

What these whips are are realistic, authentic-looking whips for less than $200. And they do work, for a casual whip cracker. You take your kids out trick-or-treating - you can whip this off your belt and show off. It cracks easily and LOUD!

The core is urethane rubber, which is synthetic and long-lasting. I'd expect it to be good for 20 years at least. The finished whip weighs the same as an all - roo whip of the same length
to within an ounce or two.

One day last fall I was outside my shop tesing one of these. The noise was ringing all over our little town. A guy drove up and jumped out of his truck. "Is that you? Are you cracking a whip? Can I try it?" I said, "well, okay, but be careful" I said. He started cracking like I've never seen - behind his back, under his feet, volleys, all kinds of fancy stuff. He was a Hollywood stunt man and whip specialist - unfortunately, I lost contact with him, but I pointed to my shop and told him to come see me sometime. He was quite impressed with it.

Only time will tell if this is some sort of advancement in whip making technology. I don't see a reason why they won't last as well as anything else. Leather doesn't last forever, either. Right now, my purpose was to make a whip that works, that looks screen-accurate, for less than $200. It is not for the serious whip enthusiast. There are TONS of whip makers competing for that market. This is for costume wear and fun for a guy that doesn't want to spend $400+.

The leather is lacing calf. It's a much more economical alternative to kangaroo. However, my source on it has dried up, so I'll be switching leather to the best I can find next. With Kangaroo hides going from $100-$150, it's impossible to use it without boosting the price into the "real whip" price range. There's two reasons I don't specify the leather on the website: 1) It will change according to availability, 2) If you care what kind of leather it is, then this whip is not for you!

I am also working on a cast foam whip strictly for looks. I hope they'll be less than $50, but for now, it's still in development. Might be much less.

So, I hope that puts some perspective on this. It's not a Strain or Morgan, but hopefully, it will meet the need for those who don't need (or want) a Strain or Morgan. Time will tell. If customer's aren't happy with them, they can easily return them.

That explains it then. Clearly it’s a great looking prop bullwhip that may just fill a certain nitch and from the sound of it, they perform better then some of that other similarly priced junk whips sold on eBay. I’ll be curious to see the rubber bullwhip when he gets pictures posted.

Dan

How does this compete with a Caicedo whip though? His cowhide is (from the price listed here in the forum) only $160 for 12 plait and is supposedly a "real" whip. As I'm about to purchase a whip, I can't help but be curious if there's something amiss with the Caicedo whips. Are they good?

We'll have to wait until one of us "Cereal" whip guys orders one and gives a full review. The rubber core is an interetsing idea and I'm curious to see how it works.

Right now this whip is perfect for my needs. I wanted a good looking "Raiders" whip that fit my budget.

I was even able to "crack" it a few times yesterday, which was something I had never tried before.

I'd love to add a DM or Strain to my gear collection someday, but just like my Federation fills my hat requirement until I can get an AB, the Todd's whip allows me to achieve a nice balance as I start down this long (but expensive) and enjoyable path of Indy gear collecting.

Tron

im tempted to buy one just because it looks so nice for a costume. Id like a whip that looks a bit worn it more like Todds does. For the price im even more tempted. I wish i thought to get a new whip sooner, because i love my Winrich IOAB, and id like to get adams 8 foot 12 plait version since its the cheapest whip available. But unfortuneatly hes on tour right now, and the events im costuming as indy at are before then. I just cant throw down 400 + for a whip i really wont use that much.

I wonder about the leather too though, it doesnt look as thick quality wise compaired to other 12 plaits ive seen.

Hey Tron7960, is there anyway you can get even more pics posted of your todds? What you posted so far is great though. Any shots of it on your belt or with other gear too, or in your hand?

That would be a pretty nifty little toy to have on hand if you're doing STRICTLY costuming or fan films.

Coil one up, stitch or hot glue it into coils and into place on the whip holder for TRUE non-slip whip action for running, jumping, falling, etc without fear.

Take a fall into the river with your whip on. Get out, and not worry about the leather core rotting away on you.

Swinging, wrapping hard/sharp objects, using in dust, sand, mud, gravel, etc. etc. etc.

The ULTIMATE stunt whip. Rugged, weatherproof, and a bit more easily replaceable.

-Dan

Here are some more pics. I'll let others determine how this rates as a whip.
As a "costume" piece, i'ts pretty high-end.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2063/224 ... b5.jpg?v=0
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2188/223 ... f9.jpg?v=0
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2389/224 ... fa.jpg?v=0

Tron

Thanks, guys (those of you who have them), for the feedback. I'll be following the long-term endurance of these whips with interest. Of course, they're not PRIMARILY for use, but I'm curious, nonetheless.

I removed the word "rubber" from the web page. It is synthetic rubber - polyurethane, which is very tough. The stuff I'm using is very stiff. I have two stiffness...es... one which approximates a very tightly braided new core, and one which approximates a broken-in core. Both are good, but I think the more relaxed core is a little better, it resists settling into shape (like rolled up) a little better than the stiffer material.

The whips are made in my shop, by me and my elves. We're still refining as we go to make them perfect. I've found a new source for the calfskin, so I'm going to stick with that for now. It braids nice and smooth, and takes on a very authentic glow when coated with amber shellac. I'll have some new pics on the website soon.

Meanwhile, I hope this is another product you will enjoy!

Todd

This is sooo cool. I will be ordering one of these shortly!!!

Brad

Just ordered one!!! I can't wait to get it!

Brad

thanks for the extra photos tom!

I just got mine!! HOLY CR^P!!! This is an amazing whip! Do not hesitate to get this whip. I will post pics later, but order yours today!!!

Brad

I think this thread sold me. Thanks for pointing me in this direction Tron.

No problem Mr. Z.

Sounds like you're looking for the same thing out of a whip that I was, so you should be thrilled!

Tron

Indeed, and it looks like you have a Star Wars/Indy room too. I bet we're not alone here with these vices.

I have a Star Wars house with Indy thrown in. Thankfully, the wife is a SW lover like myself

Like most things from Todd, it's virtually indistinguishable from the real thing visually and economically the man can't be beat on anything. I would bang on about how good his shirt looks also but this thread is not the place...

Regarding the whip - I'd be really tempted by a 10 footer -
Is it a possibility?

I'm loving the look of these. I've got a couple of Pagey whips and I treat them like members of the family
It would be nice to get one of these that I wouldnt be so worried about costuming with.

Will you be doing these in 6' sometime soon?
Or in CS style colours?

I am thinking of ordering one myself soon. How does it crack? Has anyone treated this whip with pecard yet? (or is it even treatable with pecard?)

I should be getting mine early this week, so I'll check out the 411 and pass along my archaelogical findings.

I ordered one from Todd in early April.

What's the estimated turn-around on these?

As you can see from the date of my last post, I ordered mine a few weeks ago, and still have not received it. I emailed Todd, and they said the turn around is 3 weeks or so, as they make each one by hand. They have help from an outside company, so hopefully things will speed up for them (and for us!).

I ordered mine last week but he is stating a ten week wait time as of now.

I talked to them on Wednesday, and they said I was fourth on the list, but there was "no way" I would get my whip by the premiere.

I was hinging on the idea that I would get the Todd whip rather quickly...

But..........

After thinking about what I wanted a whip for, I actually cancelled my order with Todd and paid more to get some REAL whips from our very talented whipmakers here on COW.

Now to wait patiently for those.

Bardoon wrote:I was hinging on the idea that I would get the Todd whip rather quickly...

But..........

After thinking about what I wanted a whip for, I actually cancelled my order with Todd and paid more to get some REAL whips from our very talented whipmakers here on COW.

Now to wait patiently for those.

I know what you mean. I thought I'd get one soon, but it's been almost two months. Even the people I contacted here couldn't get me one in time, and I understand that. This is a really hot hobby right now. That's not a bad thing. We, in this drive-through society, are not used to waiting very long for anything.

I may be getting a whip soon, and I'm drawn between Todd's and the Winrich IOAB. Can anyone offer any advice?