Club Obi Wan

In this thread I'm only talking about Indy style whips.

I'm about to make my first new whip in quite a while. I've been practicing all the necessary skills such as cutting roohide, plaiting, and tying TH knots. Now I'm ready to buy the leather and start making the real thing.

I'd like to ask what the general opinion is about weighting the handle with lead tape. Is there a definite preference for an Indy style whip (8" handle bullwhip, with Aussie style fall etc, 12 plait roo, wrist loop and large TH knot) to have the lead, or is opinion on this varied?

I like both types of bullwhip. I have one I made myself, 9 foot, that has a leather-only foundation for the TH, and two whips I bought from Bernardo and David Morgan that both have the lead weight. I've found that both styles crack very well, but the feel of the whip is of course very different in the two types. It is possible to make a TH knot that looks close to a Morgan style TH, yet made with a leather foundation. I can't decide whether to use the lead or knot (that was a joke). Opinions?

You can make a Morgan-like butt knot with leather and not lead. Basically just use a strip of leather of the proper dimensions for your desired turks head in the place of the lead.

I made a whip with lead, the changed it out for leather to see what difference it would make. I showed the whip to Morgan and told him I took the lead out and before I could explain why he said, "why'd you do that?"

xoxo

Louie
http://www.bullwhips.org

Yes, I'm anticipating that many people might have strong views on this, and that's perfectly OK. I'm just curious to hear what people think. Mr Morgan certainly has made a perfect design and I love it.

My problem is just that the lead costs a lot - I've located some in a hardware but I have to buy the whole roll and it will cost over a $100. I'm happy to use either lead or leather. I do like the feel of both types. Lead weighted Indy whips to me have a smoother, 'creamier', perhaps more luxurious feel, whereas non weighted Indy whips feel maybe more wild and....its hard to describe.

Hi Jon,

JMObi wrote:Is there a definite preference for an Indy style whip (8" handle bullwhip, with Aussie style fall etc, 12 plait roo, wrist loop and large TH knot) to have the lead, or is opinion on this varied?

David Morgan designed the Indy whip, and he once told me "it seems that the best way to go in an american-style bullwhip is a short, heavy-loaded handle to balance the heavy thong."

JMObi wrote: It is possible to make a TH knot that looks close to a Morgan style TH, yet made with a leather foundation. I can't decide whether to use the lead or knot (that was a joke). Opinions?

Off course. Like Louie said, simply cut a piece of leather about 1 inch wide, and grap it around the handle in the same fashion as you would with the lead tape, until you get the desired diameter.

Hope that helps.

Bernardo

Thanks Bernardo. I feel indebted to you for all the great advice you have given me! The Raiders whip is going strong, and a firm favorite.

I always make my handles heavy, by using solid billet aluminum for the handle itself, and solid stainless for the pommel...The one i'm making now, which is 'Indy style', I'm simply covering the pommel with a TH, after a little build-up.

The whips always seem to balance up nicely...

I think I'll buy that roll of lead. Yikes, it's going to be heavy!

The way I see it is that I can probably sell the whips I make around here where I live. I've joined the plaiting association. I'll just put $50 profit on the first ones, to recover my costs of materials and make a small amount. I can put a notice up on community noticeboards: 'Indy whip for sale'. Should sell I reckon. Then if I'm still making whips and getting better at it I could think about maybe a simple website. I'll only be a part time make though.

"You're a........WHIP maker....??!!

"Part time".

Hey JMObi, I realize you're in Australia, but have you asked anyone at the store if they would allow you to buy just a few feet of the lead? Around here, Home Depot and Lowe's usually have a bin with a roll that can be chopped down to whatever length you want, priced by the foot. A few linear feet will last for quite a few whips, and save some money.

Steve.

I'll try that Steve. Thanks for the advice!