Club Obi Wan

Hey there, here I have the opportunity to show off my very first whip. It's an 8', 12 plait bullwhip made by Paul Stenhouse. I received it about a week ago, the day before the premier of KotCS and love it. I can even do a few cracks with it already and have to say I'm pretty addicted already. Anyhoo, here are a few pics to show it off...

Thats a great looking whip, Venkman. But why is there a knot in the fall?

For starters I am a complete beginner. Everything I know about whips I learned here in the last couple of weeks. I wasn't sure if that was normal and just left it after I noticed it, however...It happened when I was cracking, it just tied itself into a knot and I hadn't noticed. Not noticing it right away and getting a few cracks in made the knot impossible to get out. So if it's not supposed to be there Then I guess I'll have to try and get it out.

Stupid noob, I know. LOL

BTW, any input, advice or comments are greatly welcome, especially in the area of whip care.

Don't feel bad, I just got my first whip about a month ago and the exact same thing happened to me. I got a knot in the fall and didn't notice until after a few cracks. I finally got it out, but it took me forever. And.......I used needle nosed pliers, but (before everyone freaks out) my fall is starting to show some wear anyway and I have a replacement fall. So I would try getting the knot out with your fingers and if that doesn't work then you could resort to more extreme measures. But I wouldn't recommend that unless you have an extra fall. And if you can't get it out it's okay. I don't think it really hurts anything anyway.

She's a beaut! Congratulations!

Yeah, it happened to me when I first began cracking. Try and get it untied or just keep using it until the fall needs to be replaced. If memory serves mine worked fine even with the knot.

-Nebraska

Thanks for the kind words everyone, I'll do my best to get the knot out. I haven't noticed any real problems with it cracking with it there. It's funny I never thought it would be so fun, but there is a strange satisfaction that comes when you get a really loud crack. The neighbors all look at me like I'm nuts though.

Did you buy this 2nd hand?
A great whip to have as your first, thats for sure.
Have a good time with it.

Mola Ram wrote:Did you buy this 2nd hand?

As a matter of fact I did, from a good friend of mine. Up to this point my only exposure to whips were the really, really cheap costume whips you can buy at Halloween. Man, what a world of difference. I could feel it immediately when I picked it up for the first time, the weight of it just said this whip means business.

Venkman,
knots do happen sometimes, but you should try to get it out ASAP, if only so they don't become harder to get out. Having a knot on your fall won't damage the whip, but will hinder how easily it cracks. Go very slowly and bit by bit loosen one side of the knot, then do the other side. Go back and forth and you should be able to untie it in a short amount of time. A fid is a good tool to have around for things like that. Failing that, try needle-nose plyers, try to not have the grooves of the plyer dig too much into the leather of the fall. You may also try to add a bit of leather conditionner to the knot and let it soak in for a few minutes ahead of time. The lubrication won't loosen the knot on its own, but it might make it a bit easier to pry appart when you do get to loosening it up.

When you're done, give the fall a bit of leather conditionner. You should always get in the habbit of keeping your whip clean and the fall well-loaded with conditionner. The fall is under a lot of stress every time the whip is cracked and leather conditionner (of a paste type) will keep it alive longer.

Also, don't over-muscle your cracks. Use the minimum amount of force required to crack it. This will not only keep your whip from being damaged by being over-stressed, but will force you to develop a good technique instead of brute force.

Otherwise it's a beaut! Congrats!

Where are Stenhouse whips available? The only site I ever saw for it doesn't work.

I'm not sure where these whips are currently available as I purchased mine from a friend. Sorry I can't be of more help there.

Here are a couple of crappy quality pics of me enjoying my whip.

Paul recently posted to the thread listed below. Apparently he has returned to the United States. He implies that he will be making whips again in the near future.

That is very good news. He has been out of action too long. His whips are very well made.

viewtopic.php?t=24283&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=50

that is one wicked awesome whip!!!!
congrats!