Got my new whip . . . I'm afraid to crack it.

Chewie Louie · Post by **Chewie Louie** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 4:56 pm

Howdy folks. Well, I got my brand new David Morgan 10 ft whip. I must say it looks pretty sweet. Anyway, I went out back with the safety goggles, but I am still afraid to crack it.

Any suggestions for us first timers? Tutorials?

jedidentist · Post by **jedidentist** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 5:00 pm

Goggles, hat, gloves, jacket, long pants, mouthguard, chainmail, bulletproof vest, steel toed shoes....

Just keep all of your body parts covered...

Mississippi Jones · Post by **Mississippi Jones** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 5:01 pm

Well, there are tutorials all over. Just dig a little and you'll find them on this site. Other than that, just remember to keep swinging it over your head after each crack so it doesn't hit you in the face.

Here is a video link with directions for the Cairo whip cracking.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u00duDw0ViI

thatguyno1 · Post by **thatguyno1** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 5:45 pm

This is a good starter instruction video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnUQEYFt51o

Good luck and be sure to wear protective clothing and especially goggles when learning.

Paul ô¿ô

Post by **BullWhipBorton** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 5:46 pm

Congratulations on the new Morgan, Any pictures of it?

While there is no need to fear your new bullwhip, a good healthy dose of respect and common sense is a smart thing to have when using it. First check out the Bullwhip FAQ at http://www.bullwhip.org and http://bullwhip-info.com/ they will give you a good overview of what to expect. There is also a wealth of knowledge here to read thought.

It would be best if you had someone locally to work with, someone who could teach you what to do and what not to do, but otherwise a video or two like Whip Cracking Made Easy wouldn’t hurt. There are also many homemade tutorials posted on Youtube and other video host sites, some are better then others so you have to take them with a grain of salt. A really good one that comes to mind is by fourm member and whipmaker Bernie Wojcicki . http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnUQEYFt51o

Remember the safety goggles, and start simple, go slow and easy. Focus getting a feel for the whip and learning the basic cracks the right way. Don’t worry about getting the loudest crack possible, don’t try to over muscle the whip or force it to crack, the whip is designed to crack and you will get the best results using proper technique with the least possible effort.

Dan

Jedinizar · Post by **Jedinizar** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 7:49 pm

Hi, I'm on the same boat as @Chewie Louie, I just got a new (well my First Whip) few days ago. OK it was not a Morgan one, but a very nice made one from Pagey.
any way I didn't have time to go out an tray to crack it, I'm working every day, and since I'm living in a city (Frankfurt am Main Germany) I have no Garden or back yard to train, and it's also raining every day since I got it, I couldn't go either to a park to tray it out. I did just few indoor crack, which gave me some marcs on my white Roof... #### it...

Well my question is, is that normal that a new Whip is stiff?? When I see all the videos on youtube I can see how flexible a whip actually is, but mine...!!!!
And I'm really afraid about the fall, it looks like he will break any time soon, I don't know if I got it like that or is due to the indoor crack (touched on the Roof etc...) but judge your self.

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg14 ... C00066.jpg
http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg14 ... C00063.jpg
http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg14 ... C00061.jpg
http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg14 ... C00083.jpg
http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg14 ... C00082.jpg
http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg14 ... C00081.jpg
http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg14 ... C00077.jpg
http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg14 ... C00076.jpg
http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg14 ... /whip2.jpg
http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg14 ... /whip1.jpg

Mulceber · Post by **Mulceber** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 8:03 pm

Yep, definitely normal. New whips are supposed to be stiff and then break in. Good luck. :junior: -M

Vegeta · Post by **Vegeta** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 8:10 pm

Just get out there and do it son!!! Dont over think it and dont try to over power it. the cracks will come with time.

Vindy · Post by **Vindy** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 9:30 pm

This is a good starter instruction video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnUQEYFt51o

I'll second the suggestions by Paul and BullWhipBorton for this video. It's the one I've been using with my IOAB.

And as others here are saying, take it easy - let the whip crack itself. Usually when I'm having trouble, I find I'm trying to over-muscle the whip.

Have fun!

JMObi · Post by **JMObi** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 9:52 pm

I'd advise you to, as well as look after yourself, also look after the whip! My first real whip was redhide (cowhide) - which is pretty tough stuff - but I managed to break one of the strands in the point (the thin end of the braiding) in the first week. It was raining and I couldn't wait and took it out onto the wet grass.

Remember that roohide is tough and strong but it can be easily damaged by hitting it on hard or rough surfaces, especially when wet.

So do look after the whip. Once you become very proficient with a whip you'll know how to use it in such a way that it has maximum effect for a minimum of stress to the leather. To start off learning some cracks perhaps you might do well to have a cheap whip also, if you can afford an extra whip. All the best and have fun!

Cracker · Post by **Cracker** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 9:57 pm

I'll third it. I downloaded Bernie's video to my computer and must have watched it 50 times. Then I got a copy on DVD with my whip

Tron7960 · Post by **Tron7960** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 10:11 pm

That's a great way to put it BullWhipBorton, not "fear", but "respect".

Tron

louiefoxx · Post by **louiefoxx** » Sat Mar 22, 2008 12:31 am

Remember that a 10 foot takes a lot longer to crack than you'd think. So if you are getting frustrated at trying to crack it and it's not, then adjust your timing, not necessarily your power.

xoxo

Louie

Rook · Post by **Rook** » Sat Mar 22, 2008 1:22 am

I've got a 10' paracord whip and it seems to be quite a bit harder to get a good crack out of it than an 8' whip. But when the stars align and you do it right... the neighbors think you're shooting guns in the back yard.

Russ

Post by **BullWhipBorton** » Sat Mar 22, 2008 2:52 am

Jedinizar wrote:Well my question is, is that normal that a new Whip is stiff?? When I see all the videos on youtube I can see how flexible a whip actually is, but mine...!!!!
And I'm really afraid about the fall, it looks like he will break any time soon, I don't know if I got it like that or is due to the indoor crack (touched on the Roof etc...) but judge your self.

Jedinizar, Congratulations on your new Pagey bullwhip, The stiffness in a new whip is fairly normal, It will eventually go away as its used and broken in.

I am not exactly sure what’s going on with your fall; I’ve never seen one quite that fibrous. Usually when they start to get a “fuzzy” look, they are getting too dry and need conditioning with a good leather dressing. I’m not sure if Pagey is using Red hide or Latigo for his falls, but I was always taught that the more furry or fibrous the leather, the weaker it was. With that said though, I can’t imagine him using a sub par fall leather on his whips. You want to keep the falls well conditioned at all times though, that will really help maintain their strength and durability. Try a bit of leather dressing, if it doesn’t help or if it gets worse, check with Pagey, he might have more insight.

Dan

bernie47 · Post by **bernie47** » Sat Mar 22, 2008 6:39 am

My old dad used to say," don't let fear hold you back"

Chewie Louie · Post by **Chewie Louie** » Sun Mar 23, 2008 6:24 pm

woo-hoo . . . got my first crack. Pretty exiting to hear the crack for the first time. Thanks for all the advice you guys posted. Right now, I am taking it nice and easy and not trying to force anything. The whip is still stiff but I'm sure it will get easier as it breaks in.

ortiz344 · Post by **ortiz344** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 8:04 pm

yeah, BE CAREFUL, i just started 'cracking' myself and had no idea it was so easy to whip yourself

hollywood1340 · Post by **hollywood1340** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 8:30 pm

The idea that when your first learning it's more dangerous is in my mind ridiculous. If you start with safety in mind, get good coaching in person or through a decent video tape, you'll find it's no more dangerous then learning a golf swing. If you fear the whip, it will give you cause to. It's a relationship built on understanding and knowledge. When you start flinching and anticipating, that's when accidents happen.
I'm in the "Less is More" camp and it's very true. When you move beyond making it go "Bang" and work on the proper mechanics to get there, the safe mechanics, the "Bang" happens because you were safe and understood what the whip and you were doing.
When you hit yourself, and we all do, you've done something wrong. The whip has just told you that. Learn what you did and how to correct it. And if you're using less energy, no one's going to die and you can move without fear and build confidence.
Stay Safe

Indiana Texas-girl · Post by **Indiana Texas-girl** » Sun Apr 06, 2008 11:26 pm

Just remember this:

"Ouch is the sound of learning"
<i> -Sebastian of the Whip Enthusiasts</i>

Darth Indiana · Post by **Darth Indiana** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 9:12 am

jedidentist wrote:Goggles, hat, gloves, jacket, long pants, mouthguard, chainmail, bulletproof vest, steel toed shoes....

AND A CUP! LORD GOD, YOU'LL WISH YOU HAD.

IndianaChris711 · Post by **IndianaChris711** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 8:14 pm

Here is where I am getting afraid with my whip: I have been trying the horizontal crack, the one where you swing the whip over your head and cut back the other direction. I am having problems cutting back now, I did the crack the first time got too confident and ended up hitting myself many times. Now when I try to do the crack now I duck my head a little when I try turning my hand the other way, no good. I need some help or I guess some confidence. Towards the end of my practice it got a bit better, but then I am back to square one when I am out there. I have got the circus crack down snap, and am getting the forward crack, but the horizontal is giving me troubles, making me fearing of doing that crack and also making me frustrated as well. I think I am not using my wrist, I am not sure what I am doing wrong, probably a multiple of things.

Any advice people??

IndianaChris

hollywood1340 · Post by **hollywood1340** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 11:25 pm

There is nothing diffrent between the Circus, Diagonal, and Overhead cracks. It's the same motion on three diffrent planes. From the Cicrus, you roll your palm down, it's a diagonal. Roll the pinky up and it's an overhead. Nothing changes. When the whip reaches around 2:00, begin your reversal, with not cutting back, but out. You point your hand where you want the whip to go, the loop should form BESIDE you, and the crack will follow.
I'm not sure how others teach, but as a DeLongis guy, his idea of "railroad" tracks for safety reall take the guess work of of these cracks. I use it much success when teaching.

Chewie Louie · Post by **Chewie Louie** » Sat May 24, 2008 12:05 am

Finally, some pics of my David Morgan 10 ft. Here it is outside pictured in direct sunlight with an AB shirt and Todd's strap.

Close up on the handle.

Still practicing whenever I can, but I have a long way to go. Sounds awesome when I do get one off though.

myrddin · Post by **myrddin** » Sat May 24, 2008 12:55 pm

Very nice Chewie. You're starting with a ten footer, so don't be surprised it's taking you a while to get the feel for it. But in the end, you'll be better off, I think.

Now, lets see a video of you cracking. I've never seen a wookie crack a bullwhip.

(j/k)

Canuck Digger · Post by **Canuck Digger** » Sat May 24, 2008 9:28 pm

Chewie that's a great looking whip you've got, you should be very proud! Take it easy and as Bernie says "Don't let fear hold you back".

BroadSword · Post by **BroadSword** » Sat May 24, 2008 10:49 pm

I won't be able to afford a good whip for a while so I wondering if there are good training substitutes? A decent size rope? Nylon whip? Or should one just get a cheap leather whip for practice? Not so much worried about sound as I am technique.

My goal is to be proficient by Halloween, so when people ask me to crack it, then I can deliver a good show.

Nebraska Brad · Post by **Nebraska Brad** » Sat May 24, 2008 11:12 pm

Now... crack that thang!

-Nebraska

Montana Plains · Post by **Montana Plains** » Sat May 24, 2008 11:16 pm

My first chance to use a quote from CS!

"Quit acting like a child and find something to fight with!"

Canuck Digger · Post by **Canuck Digger** » Sun May 25, 2008 6:44 pm

BroadSword, I would recommend you try an Indy on a budget, a few people make them, and start with that. From what I hear they are well-made innexpenssive whips that work well. No reason you can't have sound and looks all at once. But a rope won't teach you anything other than how to handle a rope, and as far as nylon whips go, well I've never tried one so I can't say, but they aren't leather are they?

Chewie Louie · Post by **Chewie Louie** » Sun May 25, 2008 7:14 pm

Montana Plains wrote:My first chance to use a quote from CS!

"Quit acting like a child and find something to fight with!"

Nicely done.