Should makers "sign" their work?

Boggstandard · Post by **Boggstandard** » Sun May 04, 2008 1:11 am

As I have been documenting and cataloging my whips, I have found several whips whose maker(s) I cannot identify; either because I have forgotten, or because I did not know to begin with.

During the cataloging process, I have also noted, and been pleased by the fact, that several of the Australian and New Zealand makers "sign" their product with a brand, a medallion, or by in-plaiting their initials- permanent signatures if you will.

Many American makers will attach a card or leather tag to the wrist loop in order to identify their product. Unfortunately, these attached devices quickly become detached, and sometimes lost, if the whip is used to any extent.

I would like to ask the members for their thoughts as to their personal experiences and as to the value/importance of having a maker "sign" their work.

Castor Dioscuri · Post by **Castor Dioscuri** » Sun May 04, 2008 1:22 am

Personally, I'm at crossroads on this issue. On the one hand, it would be nice to know that yes, this whip IS a DM, or a JS, or a DC, etc, and having that little 'autograph', or branding would make it official.

However, I also seem to not like the idea of branding a bullwhip. Just makes it too 'commercial' for my tastes. IMO, having a good, handmade bullwhip is just about as old school Americana as you can get, and having a logo attached would be akin to a pair of Nike shoes with that swoosh, or a Lacoste shirt with that crocodile...

McFly · Post by **McFly** » Sun May 04, 2008 1:30 am

Something that Paul Stenhouse does, which I think is very cool, and handy, is stamp his intials into the leather on the bottom of the turk's head, right between where the wristloop ends are. It's pretty nifty lookin, too.

Shane

FloatinJoe · Post by **FloatinJoe** » Sun May 04, 2008 11:02 am

Castor Dioscuri wrote:However, I also seem to not like the idea of branding a bullwhip. Just makes it too 'commercial' for my tastes. IMO, having a good, handmade bullwhip is just about as old school Americana as you can get, and having a logo attached would be akin to a pair of Nike shoes with that swoosh, or a Lacoste shirt with that crocodile...

Castor, many "old school" American craftsmen, and by "old school" I mean actual craftsmen from many, many years ago, signed their work. Furniture often received a literal brand on them. Often times tables and chairs would receive the brand on the underside where no one would see them. Dressers and desks would get them on the underside of a drawer. Tailors always "tag" their clothes, artists sign their work, even potters and glass blowers sign their work.

With those thoughts in mind, I'd like it if there was a way to, for lack of a better word, "authenticate" a whip. I bought a David Morgan on ebay about 3 years ago and asked David to verify that it was his. I've seen the stamps that Shane is talking about and I think they look great and are rather simple. They don't intrude on the design or look of the whip, and you kinda have to look for them.

Mike

Boggstandard · Post by **Boggstandard** » Sun May 04, 2008 12:55 pm

I have just looked at some whips made by SKT, EM, Peter Jacks, Troy Horton, and Simon Martin. All have "signed" their whips by various very discreet means.

Frankly, I appreciate that these makers have done so.

Canuck Digger · Post by **Canuck Digger** » Mon May 05, 2008 9:48 pm

I didn't know that Paul stamped his whips this way, but I've been working on a brand of my own to use in the same spot (seems like the natural place for it in my view...), but I'm still struggling with the exact nature of the design. I know how many I've made so far so that's ok, I can still number them I suppose in the meantime.

Franco

bluzharp · Post by **bluzharp** » Tue May 06, 2008 4:05 am

Interesting topic. I'm not a whip historian by any means, but I can ID at least three maker's whips by the plaiting alone. I can spot Joe Strains work from several feet away. Like classic furniture.

Paul_Stenhouse · Post by **Paul_Stenhouse** » Fri May 30, 2008 9:58 pm

By the way, at the time, I didn't know of anyone else doing this, so I'm taking credit for the idea of initials in the leather on the butt. Innocuous, but visible if looked at.

Best Regards,
Paul Stenhouse

PS. I'm sure someone's going to prove me wrong now!

Canuck Digger · Post by **Canuck Digger** » Fri May 30, 2008 10:40 pm

Paul,
you took the words out of my mouth. Still, the important thing is to know WHO made the bloody thing isn't it?

Franco

Paul_Stenhouse · Post by **Paul_Stenhouse** » Sat May 31, 2008 9:02 am

Hi Franco,

I think so (the signing of work, that is). Some whipmakers do go the extra mile on signing their work, and good on them for doing so. I thought of the leather punched initials because I wanted to sign my work, but wanted to do it in an understated manner.

Best Regards,
Paul Stenhouse

FloatinJoe · Post by **FloatinJoe** » Sat May 31, 2008 6:22 pm

Paul,

TheEdge does this as well.

Mike

myamoebafriend · Post by **myamoebafriend** » Sat May 31, 2008 6:30 pm

As long as it's there but not too noticeable, i.e. what Paul does, it's cool.