Club Obi Wan

The Katana

During the height of Samurai culture in feudal Japan, the Shoganate, or war lords, where the dominate authority over the lands. Their servants were known as Bushi, which simply means solider, or warrior and where an honored class in society. Due to their social ranking, they were allowed to carry a long sword, known as Katana, as well as a shorter sword known as Wakizashi. These two swords, when worn together where referred to as a Daisho. To the Bushi, or as they are commonly referred, Samurai, the katana was more than just a weapon, it was a part of their very soul. Often times these swords were generational swords, passed down from father to son for hundreds of years.

What is not so well known about the Katana is how many steps are involved in its creation. The smith will forge out the blade, heat treat and give a foundation shape to it, and usually that is where his job ends. The unfinished blade will be sent to a Togi, or polisher for finishing. The term “polisher” is fairly nondescript, because there is so much more involved. This process can be very long and tedious to get all of the shapes in the blade and to highlight all of the activity in the steel. After the blade is finished, the next step involves fittings. This is also done usually be various craftsmen and is an art unto itself. One of these processes involves wrapping the handle, or Tsuka, with a flat cord. This process of handle wrapping is known as tsukamaki, and is what gives the katana its very unique appearance over any other type of sword found in history. Even those not familiar with the subtleties of Katana will quickly recognize the “diamond” shapes found in a tsukamaki wrap.

As many know I am relatively new to the whip work, and have a strong background in martial arts and sword, particularly with katana. I began discussing a custom whip project with the very talented Lauren Wickline several months ago, and was trying to figure out a design that would be very functional as a martial arts tool, but also something that would bring a unique personalized flare to it. One rainy afternoon, I came up with the idea of having a whip with a tsukamaki / Katana style wrap to it. I pitched the idea to Lauren and she was very excited to take it on, however it would involve her learning a completely new wrapping style. I sent her a few instructional web pages as well as a bunch of pictures and a few days later she sent me a picture of her “practice” wrap and WOW let me tell you…… incredible! Needless to say, Laurens got SKILL!

Well, the wait is finally over, she sent me pictures today, and words hardly describe it! My mouth was literally hanging open the whole time I was looking at the pictures. She also included some small dragon head ornaments I sent her, called Menuki which are of my personal logo I use on all my weaponry. Sort of my “trademark”. I will no doubt make MANY MANY videos with this whip as well as a full thorough review once I receive it, but for now I will leave you with the preview pictures she sent me.


The Money Shot:


The Handle (top view)


Handle.. or should i say Tsuka


The Musashi Dragon Menuki (My Logo)


Fall Hitch and braiding.... beautiful

WAY TOO COOL . I've always liked the wrap-style on the samurai swords. Lauren's
gonna be getting more orders for this style of handle in the near future, methinks. :junior:

That is awesome. Lauren did a phenomenal job on it. I grow yet another shade of green from envy.

Looks great! I was half-hoping to see an ivory-handled dragon head whip.

Kind regards,
Magnoli

That is so cool.

That is a gorgeous whip! I love the katana-style wraps. Definitely a classy piece

Oh-My-God!!!

It's been a looooooooooooong time since I've had my jaw drop from looking at a whip, but Lauren, this is one of those times!!!

Wowwwy! Having myself a martial arts background and owning a katana, you have really captured the soul of it!

Arrigato gozaimas, Lauren-Sensei!

Indy Magnoli wrote:Looks great! I was half-hoping to see an ivory-handled dragon head whip.

Kind regards,
Magnoli

Hahaha, Dont tempt me!..... and truthfully, the thought DID cross my mind, but would involve some really difficult construction methods....... i thought it a better idea to keep it in the ballpark of leather braiding.....

Again I have to say I am floored that Lauren "got" tsukamaki so fast...
I have done several handle wraps myself and know its VERY difficult as I'm sure her fingers will attest to.......

Canuck Digger wrote:Oh-My-God!!!

It's been a looooooooooooong time since I've had my jaw drop from looking at a whip, but Lauren, this is one of those times!!!

Wowwwy! Having myself a martial arts background and owning a katana, you have really captured the soul of it!

Arrigato gozaimas, Lauren-Sensei!

DIDNT SHE!!!! Its perfect! and from what I hear the katana handle makes a pretty nice whip handle too!

Beautiful work! Very unusual!

Weston

Wow, That’s pretty impressive looking. I’ve never seen anything quite like that. Nice work Lauren.

I’ll be interested to hear how it performs and how comfortable you find that type of grip when you start using it. I like the Menuki emblem too, isn't that from the Highlander tv series.

Your just amassing quite a selection of whips arnt you!

Dan

That is a very interesting whip.

This would be great for one of those Japanese whip trainers (videos posted in another thread).

Shagbd wrote:

Indy Magnoli wrote:Looks great! I was half-hoping to see an ivory-handled dragon head whip.

Kind regards,
Magnoli

Hahaha, Dont tempt me!..... and truthfully, the thought DID cross my mind, but would involve some really difficult construction methods....... i thought it a better idea to keep it in the ballpark of leather braiding.....

I had the exact same thought as Indy Magnoli. Hehe. (Fellow SFI member here.)

What about a stock whip? Some of those come with carved handles, you know... Not too difficult to make at all, I would think, as far as construction goes, but would take some skill with the carving.

/Nicholas

Oh, and that's a pretty whip. Really unique, too.

BullWhipBorton wrote:Wow, That’s pretty impressive looking. I’ve never seen anything quite like that. Nice work Lauren.

I’ll be interested to hear how it performs and how comfortable you find that type of grip when you start using it. I like the Menuki emblem too, isn't that from the Highlander tv series.

Your just amassing quite a selection of whips arnt you!

Dan

Good eye brother!
The head is an artists version of the Dragon head on the Musashi Katana sold by Sal Daquila at www.pointgallery.com . Sal and I have a long history, as do I and that sword...... so that logo has kinda come to be my own.... well, this particular version of it anyway.... so i have it on alot of things

HOLY <INSERT WORST EXPLETIVE POSSIBLE FOR YOUR PARTICULAR IDIOM HERE>, DAVID!

You know, I was about as excited to see this as you were, and I knew it would be fracking awesome, but THAT just goes beyond ALL my preconceived expectations of it!

I like the black knots better, too, (the initial plan was to do them in gray.) It really provides a lot of contrast to the white of the underwrapping.

Lauren spent a LOT of time trying to work out how she was going to do the oval shape of the handle so that it was solid and felt right without it getting too bulky and overbalanced.

She nailed it...

I was hoping to make a trip to Fairborn to see this beastie before it shipped out to you, but I'm a little too backed up right now.

So, tell us all about it when you get it. In relation to my long-winded post on the nylon thread, (which you fell asleep for ) I'm sure that this has plenty of "Whip Hay..."

Crack her with pride as you practice hoippu-do!

All the best,

Dan

WOW WOW WOW !

I have seen some sword wraps that are not as well executed. That whip is amazing and you should (are) proud to own her.

I will, of course, need one someday.

With that, I am off to write a great character around that whip !

Peace
Ken / JJ

thefish wrote:HOLY <INSERT WORST EXPLETIVE POSSIBLE FOR YOUR PARTICULAR IDIOM HERE>, DAVID!

You know, I was about as excited to see this as you were, and I knew it would be fracking awesome, but THAT just goes beyond ALL my preconceived expectations of it!

I like the black knots better, too, (the initial plan was to do them in gray.) It really provides a lot of contrast to the white of the underwrapping.

Lauren spent a LOT of time trying to work out how she was going to do the oval shape of the handle so that it was solid and felt right without it getting too bulky and overbalanced.

She nailed it...

I was hoping to make a trip to Fairborn to see this beastie before it shipped out to you, but I'm a little too backed up right now.

So, tell us all about it when you get it. In relation to my long-winded post on the nylon thread, (which you fell asleep for ) I'm sure that this has plenty of "Whip Hay..."

Crack her with pride as you practice hoippu-do!

All the best,

Dan

hahahha! Hey Buddy!

Yeh i was really hoping you could crack it before she shipped it! She asked me if i wanted her to hold on to it for a few days so you could make the trip, and i want you to know i ALMOST gave in, But then i looked at the pictures again and my selfishness took over....
dont worry bud! One day ill make a trip up there and you can play with it!

JerseyJones wrote:WOW WOW WOW !

I have seen some sword wraps that are not as well executed. That whip is amazing and you should (are) proud to own her.

I will, of course, need one someday.

With that, I am off to write a great character around that whip !

Peace
Ken / JJ

Im REALLY interested to hear what you come up with it!
dont forget.... its "Official Name is "the stokes Katana whip"

Wow! What a fantastic idea, Shagbd!

Lauren has done an amazing job!

Indy Magnoli wrote:Looks great! I was half-hoping to see an ivory-handled dragon head whip.

Kind regards,
Magnoli

Well, if it were, we would still all have to drool in envy, for as you well know, "There can be only one." Well, alright, maybe two... .

Regards,

Henry Jones, Sr.

Henry Jones Sr. wrote:

Indy Magnoli wrote:
Well, if it were, we would still all have to drool in envy, for as you well know, "There can be only one." Well, alright, maybe two... .

Regards,

Henry Jones, Sr.

There can be only one (good movie) and then 4 terrible sequels, one decent TV show, one terrible TV show, one terrible cartoon, one mediocre anime and one good video game...

whew....

(in case folks dont know, we are discussing Highlander on a Indy forum!)

A very unique and creative idea Shag and well, well, WELL done by Lauren!!! It looks beautiful and amazing!!! A very cool twist on a whip and mixing it with a Katana's handle. I love it!!!!

Can't wait to see some videos of this baby in action, perhaps a Katana too to go with it?

Is that a 6 footer?

WOW!!!

thats all I have to say!

bests
Holt

Bardoon wrote:A very unique and creative idea Shag and well, well, WELL done by Lauren!!! It looks beautiful and amazing!!! A very cool twist on a whip and mixing it with a Katana's handle. I love it!!!!

Can't wait to see some videos of this baby in action, perhaps a Katana too to go with it?

Is that a 6 footer?

yeh its a 6 footer...... 12" handle......
I was actually thinking about having a smaller, maybe 4' whip made to match it...... to be its "wakizashi" short sword!

Last picture of it before it was shipped to me!
I should have a review up soon!

Wow, now there's a whip you don't see everyday. Nice job Lauren!

Thank you all for the compliments! As challenging as the project was, and as many times as I cursed David's name under my breath as I was working frustratedly on it, I'm SO happy he came up with the idea and asked me to execute it. After all the time and effort I put into it, it was terribly difficult to package it up and send it away to him earlier this afternoon.

The funny thing is that when I first looked at a wrap on a sword, it looked like a difficult thing to create. Then David sent me some info, and it actually looked much easier - the concept is very simple. Then I actually started doing it, and it suddenly went back to being very difficult (and painful for the hands). There's good reason getting a real katana sword re-wrapped professionally isn't cheap! Not that I didn't before, but I have even MORE respect now for the pros who do that for a living!

The whip is a 6 footer with a 12 inch handle and the transition knot at about 10 inches. I'm looking forward to hearing how David feels about how it cracks once he gets it, hopefully on Wednesday. Paul, Bernardo and I took it out back to give it a few test cracks before packaging it up, and from the relatively small amount I know about martial arts, I think it will work well for him. It cracks straight as an arrow for targeting, and super fast. It cracks easily but not too heavily, so it feels very responsive to quick movements. Also, IMO, the wrap didn't feel so strange at all in my hands when cracking it - probably mainly because I shaped the handle to an oval crossection before I applied the wrap, so that the finished product ends up being basically round, just like a normal whip handle. My only concern is that David wanted the under-wrap part to be bright white - that's going to be difficult to keep clean!

Many thanks again to David for coming up with such a unique idea, and for the opportunity to be the one to figure out how to make it happen.

Lauren Wickline
www.midwestwhips.com

beautiful work of art lauren! i never knew we can get so much artistic mileage out of our beloved 'archealogical tool'.

kudos.

LemonLauren wrote:Thank you all for the compliments! As challenging as the project was, and as many times as I cursed David's name under my breath as I was working frustratedly on it, I'm SO happy he came up with the idea and asked me to execute it. After all the time and effort I put into it, it was terribly difficult to package it up and send it away to him earlier this afternoon.

The funny thing is that when I first looked at a wrap on a sword, it looked like a difficult thing to create. Then David sent me some info, and it actually looked much easier - the concept is very simple. Then I actually started doing it, and it suddenly went back to being very difficult (and painful for the hands). There's good reason getting a real katana sword re-wrapped professionally isn't cheap! Not that I didn't before, but I have even MORE respect now for the pros who do that for a living!

The whip is a 6 footer with a 12 inch handle and the transition knot at about 10 inches. I'm looking forward to hearing how David feels about how it cracks once he gets it, hopefully on Wednesday. Paul, Bernardo and I took it out back to give it a few test cracks before packaging it up, and from the relatively small amount I know about martial arts, I think it will work well for him. It cracks straight as an arrow for targeting, and super fast. It cracks easily but not too heavily, so it feels very responsive to quick movements. Also, IMO, the wrap didn't feel so strange at all in my hands when cracking it - probably mainly because I shaped the handle to an oval crossection before I applied the wrap, so that the finished product ends up being basically round, just like a normal whip handle. My only concern is that David wanted the under-wrap part to be bright white - that's going to be difficult to keep clean!

Many thanks again to David for coming up with such a unique idea, and for the opportunity to be the one to figure out how to make it happen.

Lauren Wickline
www.midwestwhips.com

Truely speechless!
Kinder words could not be spoken! I am truely HONORED by what you have said and how you have handled this entire project.
The Japanese have a saying, which Im basically butchering, but the gest of it is that the Destination is not as important as the Journey. I would say that has held very true here. Not to belittle the whip at all, but at its best, it is still a "thing" and wanes in comparison to the friendship I have gained thruout this experience.
To quote a cheesy chick flick, "you had me at hello!" (remember: viewtopic.php?t=29660&highlight=kotcs+ioab )
So in essence by making this whip, you have made a friendship and business relationship that is going to last a very long time...... and dont worry. I have many more CRAZY wild whip ideas up my sleeve........ just you wait!

Again thank you, and I look forward to getting this beauty!
Stay tuned for MANY MANY videos including an experimental "Whip Kata"!

great idea and results :!:

ps. I will wait for dai-shi

Spac-tac-ular!

Well that settles it,, gotta get one ordered with a Kurgan sword handle,, .

ablsolutly beautiful work.


Cheers

Jim J.

racerx wrote:Spac-tac-ular!

Well that settles it,, gotta get one ordered with a Kurgan sword handle,, .

ablsolutly beautiful work.


Cheers

Jim J.

I was actually thinking of a scottish claymore handle... maybe even a BASKETHILT bullwhip?

Heres a crazy thought:....
If this is a katana (6 foot whip) and Im planning on having a 4 footer made which would be a Wakizashi.........
How cool would it be to have a 12 or 14 footer made with about a 16 inch handle that could be the "NODACHI" (which means GREAT sword..)

Hmm,

thats not that doesn't sound crazy at all,, I think that would be superb idea, just wonder what would be the best way to desplay them when not in use, sure would look cool in a doe jo.





Jim J.

it would DEFIANNTLY need a Katanakake style table top horizonal display....

Im actually WAYYY ahead of you on that one too bud!
Already working up some ideas in my head!

I GOT IT!!!

Ok, I just was able to lower my heart rate to a resonable level to be able to type this....
First off, when i first unwrapped it and handled it, I IMMEDIATLY connected to it! Like two long lost friends reunited!
Lauren, in her humble way, mentioned concern over the tsukamaki tightness.... let me tell ya that its perfect! SUPER tight! I have seen "professional" jobs that didnt look this good!
Whats perfect about it:
The color
The Length
The weight
The Balance
The EVERYTHING!

Now, Dont get me wrong folks... I love my Indy whips...... I love my Del Carpio and I love my Strain..... but at the end of the day, they are still "Indy-Esque" whips................. This whip is MINE! This why is MY crazy hair brained Idea put into relation! Its SO me! This whip is the DEFINITION of "Custom"..... ya just cant get much more personalized...

So hows it crack?..... Dear God! I only got to crack it a little bit, but WOW! It didnt miss a beat! It throws effortlessly which i was really surprised at for such a moderatly light, shorter whip.... I went thru all the basics and nailed everyone of them! ANY whipcrackers "dream" whip is one that makes their abilities BETTER..... this is THAT whip for me...... nailed some volleys with it right off the bat...

Let me focus on the grip for a minute.... Alot of planning and disccussion went on regarding the tsukamaki... Lots of WORK on Laurens part as well... At one point we wondered what the "finger groove" effect of the tsukamaki would have on the way one holds a grip....... well, i actually think its BETTER than a round grip because you can close your eyes, grab this whip and IMMEDIATLY know where the thong naturally coils. It gives immediate hand orientation.... I was actually really surprised at how THIN Lauren was able to get the grip considering all the layers under it, but she pulled it off.
Trust me, there will be alot more pictures and videos of this whip to come.... I expect this thread to become one of those multi page ones that just hangs around a while!

Theres definantly alot to talk about with this whip, but ill let the pictures do some of the talking.

The obligatory overhead shot:
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb13 ... atana1.jpg

The TSUKA (Handle)
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb13 ... atana2.jpg

Closeup of rightside "menuki" ornament in my dragon logo
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb13 ... atana3.jpg

In hand shot... Notice how it lays out and the stiffness of the transition!
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb13 ... atana4.jpg

Ok, heres the treat at the bottom of the crackerjacks!
a FIRST PERSON perspective video of one of my first FLICKS with this whip!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqhJq7S60Ow

Hi Shagbd,

Congrats on your new whip and what a whip!! Lauren did a fantastic job with it.

I tried to view your Youtube video but it says no longer available. Can we expect another soon?

Scott

no longer?
hmm thats odd... Try again...

Yep, it's showing now. Looks great! Again congratulations on your new whip.

Scott

Thanks brother!!

I just got back from the Dojang..... had about a 2 hour whip cracking session with it.........
WOW!
This whip can do EVERYTHING and Does it GREAT!

It also somehow made ME a better whipcracker!
I was doing volleys with it... no problem...
then i put it down and grabbed my 9' strain.... VOLLEYS!
then i grabbed my 9' Del Carpio and (and i dont beleive this..).. VOLLEYS!!

I didnt have the camera with me today, since this was my first session with it, i want to get more comfortable with it before i make vids...

WHEW!
Spent over 2 hours today crackin this baby today and we have VIDEOS!!!

I can type alot about this video, but if a picture is worth a thousand words, then hopefully a video is worth two thousand!

Intro:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o057AemR5S0

cracking with the whip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LNoORLK-X0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jXkwQ31rDI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzBpBHmy5B4

Now the next two videos are a work in progress of what im hoping will eventually be a "whip kata" based off of a sword kata i used to compete with. Adapting it with a whip has been challenging
prt 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFrHBtQj0h4
Prt2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NXqOx2z_Pk

Enjoy!
Comments welcome!

I really like that open that you did on the 2nd "Cracking with the Whip" video, and from the looks of the second video, the Kata is coming along, (and that reverse grip loop crack is pretty nifty! I need to get out on Sunday and give that a try!)

Lookin good!

-D

i did the "opening" crack like a draw with a sword.
in the first part of the kata thing i was trying to work on "upper cut" reverse figure 8 cuts like you do with a sword...
it sorta worked..

Hey Shag, great videos with a beautiful and unique whip!

Just out of curiousity, have you shown your fellow instructors and students your whipwork? What is their opinion on it all?

They think im a total crack head........ GET IT? CRACK head? hahaha

No seriously, I was actually teaching my instructor how to crack a few days ago...... hes a man of few words, he just grined and smiled....

but he's used to be always training with weapons...

.... sorta gave me a odd look when i brought in those two modified Berettas...... I just told him i was practicing GUN KATA!!! (Equlibrium reference) )

.... sorta gave me a odd look when i brought in those two modified Berettas...... I just told him i was practicing GUN KATA!!! (Equlibrium reference)

What's wrong with that?

I am a major proponent of "Glock Fu" myself! ;-)

Our school has a demo team called KICK team......
I used to be a coach/member...... now im old, so i belong to the KICKED team (past tense...)
but one of the younger members (teenager) suggested i do a whip routine at the demos...

i could just hear it now: "and now coming to the stage... some old guy..."

The average kickteam member is probably 14 years old.... so yes...comparativly.... IM OLD

Great looking whip Shagbd, I can understand your excitement to have such a beautiful and functional whip. Fantastic.

Your not old, try being 52 and testing in two weeks for 1st Dan in TKD.

Thank god for my two corporate sponsors, Advil and Ben-Gay.

Regards,

Soup

Soup wrote:Great looking whip Shagbd, I can understand your excitement to have such a beautiful and functional whip. Fantastic.

Your not old, try being 52 and testing in two weeks for 1st Dan in TKD.

Thank god for my two corporate sponsors, Advil and Ben-Gay.

Regards,

Soup

hahahah, I feel ya bud!
Good luck on your testing bud!

Thanks for the encouragement, I will need all I can get.

I really think Lauren did an excellent job with the handle and whip, she is very talented. Will there be more?

I hope to show your new "Katana" pictures and video to my instructor, Master Jung who is a Grandmaster in swords. Maybe I can get him interested in some whip cracking fun. He is pretty awesome with my sons 'light saber".

Regards,

Soup

will there be more what?

whips in general made for me by Lauren? ::: YES!
Katana themed whips: YES!

the plan now is for a shorter, 4 ft one with a 8" handle... itd be the Wakizashi in the set

Sorry, I was a little vague with the question, but you answered what I was wanting to know. The 6' is a lot quicker for sure, looks like you have adapted very well to it. The 4' will be interesting to see how it works out for you too.

Thanks for posting the videos, you make it look easy!

Regards,

Soup

Thanks bro!
its been ALOT of work..... but SOOOOO much fun!