Club Obi Wan

Continued from:http://www.indygear.com/community/forum ... .php?t=250

Some things to keep in mind before you buy...

-This is a 'Texas' style bullwhip so it probably has a swivel handle.

-It more than likely has a rope core making the whip's thong very light.

-The thong has no taper from about half way down to the point. This greatly effects the balance and performance of a whip.

-The fall is permanently fixed to the point since these are made by braiding backwards from the fall to the handle.

-The fall on this style of whip is commonly referred to as a 'slapper' because it is wide and meant for slapping the animal being herded and not really for cracking.

IMO, this is not the best choice of whip for cracking. It's a fine whip for learning basic cracks and generally beating up because the cowhide will take a lot of punishment. But you do get what you pay for. A whip at that price doesn't have a lot of leather or crafstmanship going into it. Many of the points mentioned above can be improved upon (unbraid and taper the thong, trim or replace the fall, lock the handle in place.) in order to help the whip crack easier.

I have a similar whip from Texas Bullwhips.com that I have made many of the adjustments mentioned above to and it is still not a great whip. Tough and loud as heck but handles like a wet noodle. To my dismay, TB.com is much more expensive for about the same quality.

-Kyle

KyleS wrote:I have a similar whip from Texas Bullwhips.com that I have made many of the adjustments mentioned above to and it is still not a great whip. Tough and loud as heck but handles like a wet noodle. To my dismay, TB.com is much more expensive for about the same quality.

-Kyle

Amen. Shipment and delivery from TB.com has been unacceptable. Rest assured I will be taking my business elsewhere.

Pyr.

I've had my TB whip for almost two years now. When I dealt with them I didn't have any problems but I did find them to be very arrogant when discussing their whips. Their website continues to reflect this attitude. I'm sorry your experience as been so awful.

I rarely use this whip (which I named "The Beast") much any more. The alterations I made to it make it a better whip but not by much. I took it out for some cracking last week but quickly put it down and returned to my roo hide whips. For a long while I was using it as my hiking whip because it can take the abuse of scraping trees or rocks. But about a month or so ago I built 7', 12 plait bullwhip that I've been beating the crud out of (hiking, cracking on pavement and gravel, wrapping trees, etc.) to see how much abuse a roo hide whip can take. Something I wasn't willing to do with my DM. So my TB.com whip just hangs on the wall these days.

I think I'll unbraid it again and taper the strands some more...

-Kyle

Hi,
If you take the fall of an american bullwhip and put a kangaroo hide fall on it makes the whip a billion times better.
-Scott

Hey Kyle, did you ever think of selling that whip. I've recently become interested in hiking and climbing, and I need a whip for that. I'm still waiting for my Keppler but I would never use that on trees etc. Sounds like that whip would work since its a cowhide. Let me know what you think.
Cheers, Alex

No, I'm not interested in selling my TB.com whip. It's my only cow hide whip. I've done so much to it that it's kind of a project whip now.

Besides, the Keppler you're waiting on is made of cow hide and, from all accounts, should be able to take just as much abuse. You should have no problem taking out on the trail.

-Kyle

Hey Alex, I have the Keppler whip myself that I take out on hiking/camping trips. That whip has taken so much abuse from asphalt, concrete, trees, rose bushes, desert rocks, etc. that you can not see any wear at all on the thong or fall. It's my trusty companion on the trails. You did well.....

-S

Sergei wrote:Hey Alex, I have the Keppler whip myself that I take out on hiking/camping trips. -S

Here is a question. You people mention that you take the whip out on hiking trips. Have you ever had to use it? Or, do you just pratice with it?

Just Curious,
Pyr.

Pyro,
It's psychological. Since it is illegal to carry firearms into most parks, the whip gives me a psychological edge over animal and human encounters. While camping in the So. California wilderness, I saw some commotion from a distance. A lone black bear in the distance while I was going up a switchback to a peak. I popped out my whip. I cracked it several times and the bear wandered off. Mind you this was a black bear. I have no idea, how a crack of a whip would work on a grizzly.

Also, I believe _ had a similar experience in the mountains. And then Michaelson scared off a pack of dogs.

But 99% of the time, Pyro, it's for fun while camping.

-S

The only thing I'll ever scare off is probably a squirrel. I use a rope when I go hiking, to wrap around trees to help me up when I'm climbing. And since I go in full gear( minus the jacket), it adds to the Indy look. Thats what I'm using until my whip arrives. Its been a month and its been really hard to wait.

I've been carrying a bullwhip while hiking for probably half my life. Long before I stumbled across IndyGear and you nice folks. I feel more at ease when I have it. However, I always get weird looks, comments or giggles from other hikers. I've used a bullwhip several times to wrap trees and pull myself up steep inclines. (Note: At no time have I ever hung my entire weight on a whip or swung on a whip. Bad, very bad.) I also carry it to scare off cougars and such. Since it is illegal in some parks to carry fire arms a bullwhip is the next best thing. I know how to use a whip and feel more comfortable with it's use rather than depending on a little container of pepper spray. In addition, If I were to suddenly be thrust into a survival situation I would have no compunction to use the whip as a rope or to unbraid it and use the strands. But let's not forget that it's also fun to stop for a rest on a rock ledge over looking a valley or a lake and do some cracking for fun. The echo delay is awesome.

I even carry a home-made pocket bull when walking our dogs (little shih-tzus)around the neighborhood. In fact, this past weekend my wife and I were walking with our dogs back from our town's parade and carnival festivities when we saw a large stray dog (some kind of sheppard) on the other side of the street. There was no owner in site and this dog was moving along pretty fast. I had the leash of one of our dogs and my wife had the other. As we walked along the side walk we came out from behind some parked cars and the stray dog saw us and began running across the street at us. My wife scrambled for the dogs as I calmly reached into my MKVII, pulled out the 4' pocket bull and uncoiled it. The dog got to with in ten feet of us when I did a nice and easy vertical crack (circus crack) right at him that echoed off the surrounding houses and buildings. Let me tell you, that dog stumbled to a stop, turned tail and ran and ran and ran. My wife goes, "Oh my god, that was awesome! I didn't know you had your bullwhip," and started laughing. We continued walking and when we looked back that dog was still running. LOL!

-Kyle

KyleS wrote: I even carry a pocket bull I made while walking our dogs (little shih-tzus)around the neighborhood.

That's impressive! You must be a master whip maker to be able to do that! I can barely chew gum and walk my dog. (Sorry Kyle, I couldn't resist. )

That is great! I have similar experiences but didn't have a bullwhip. I have had to just stare the dog down similar to the way Hannibal Lecter did in Hannibal. Now I really want to pratice.

Ah yes whips do wonders on dogs!Unsuspecting people aswell too ha ha.No Im not that mean You just never want to get into a whip fight with someone else.Like they say though practice makes perfect.Its all fun until the whip comes back and slaps you in the face,check,ear,chin.and the throught.It hurts when that happens.After awhile youll be so good you are going to have to wear ear plugs

copper wrote:Its all fun until the whip comes back and slaps you in the face,check,ear,chin.and the throught.It hurts when that happens.

Yeah. Have you seen the pic on the IndyGear whip page?

http://www.indygear.com/gear/whip_tutorials.shtml

Ouch!

Yeah I know how he feels.First its like a shock then the pain then its like I hope nobody saw that stupid thing I just did.Later though looking back on it you just laugh cuz it was FUN

ITG,

LOL! That's hilarious. Looks like I had a preposition collision! Well, I've never claimed to be a master when it comes to grammar.


Oh, and just to clarify to everyone. I didn't hit the dog. I just scared him off with the noise. The last thing I need is PETA protesting outside my house.

Ha! Copper, that's great! Indy Psychology. I like how you describe the 5 different emotional stages you will experience when smacking yourself with a whip.

1.) Shock
2.) Pain
3.) Embarrassment
4.) Stupidity
5.) Laughter