Old Joe Strain Whip (ca. 1994)

[Marhala]

I decided to post this topic, since we usually see old Morgans, but not always old whips from other whipmakers. This whip is interesting, since, according to my calculations, this whip was made when Joe had only around 4 years of experience in whipmaking.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/32742927@N07/3477229599/

This was my first and only kangaroo hide whip. I bought from the long time defunct "The Leathersmith" back in 1994. My father bought it for me as a birthday present. It was originally reddish, much like the pic Joe has in his sight with the blue background. After much leather dressing, it's still going strong. It has been with me in many adventures when I was a teenager.

Some of the interesting features of this whip are:

1) Thicker kangaroo hide... perhaps in the best days before the drought...

2) Not exactly 10', but 9' 5".

3) The hitch does not have the last strand going back and through the eye of the fall, as common in Indy style whips.

4) Very tightly plaited. It was until recently that it started to break in.

5) Shellac is flaking off near the point. May need a new coat (will have to learn how to do that).

The whip I started using on concrete and other rough surfaces, and to my surprise has no damage (I mean, some abrassion and the like, but no cuts or anything serious. The strands are whole). I then thought it would be good for it to be used only in grass and smooth floors. I have changed the fall around 3 times, and have tied many, many crackers.

Does anyone in here has a whip similar to this one?

Aldo.

[WhipDude]

Lots of views and no replies! I will gladly reply. What a beautiful whip! That's whats so wonderful about that natural tan. It really takes on some great color if taken care of. While it may be darker than most Indy whips, I can see it being one of Indy's whips that he's had the longest. It looks well taken care of. I don't have a whip that old but my Strain is 8 footer whiskey Indy styled. It was made in April of 2004.

Maybe it would be a good idea for people around here to post photos of whips that are of certain years old to see how well they hold up and age. Could be a real testimony to the maker (and handler!)

[BullWhipBorton]

That’s a beautiful bullwhip, Thanks for sharing this one with us Aldo. It’s great seeing one of Joe Strains earlier whips, and you can see a lot of David Morgan’s influence in this one.

I know a few members here and some folks outside the forum that have some of his older whips like this, but they don’t get shown all that often. They are usually a bit heavier then his current Indy modles, but still hold up very well over time and use, with a little care and maintenance.

Dan

[Marhala]

Thank you for your kind comments, Whipdude and Dan. If it were not because I was curious about its origins until last year, Bernardo and Paul wouldn't have helped me to possible identify this whip. The story goes along these lines:

1) Joe, and around 2-3 other whipmakers were the only ones who made whips for Mark Allen back in those days. Mark Allen sold whips to The Leathersmith.

2) Bernardo, quoting Paul (and me paraphrasing him... ) says Paul has some early whips by Joe Strain, and they even sent me a pic of one of those early whips and guess what? ... They look like twin brothers!

3) Back in the day, being young and gullible... I ask E.J. Smith to send the invoice with no indication that such a whip was made out of kangaroo, out of fear of getting it stuck in customs. Of course, there are no other ways to surely identify it, that is, by a certificate or something. But Paul's word is enough for me.

Now knowing I have a whip, which to me is a testimony to the history of modern whipmaking, I cherish it even more, and will keep it in a very special place in my collection.

Have a great week,

Aldo.

[knibs7]

Good idea showing the other whip makers' older whips. Beautiful whip!

Kyle

[Hollowpond]

You guys are right. That thing is PURTY!

[Marhala]

Hey Aldo,

Thanks for posting the photo of your veteran whip! My first and only real Indy whip is also a Joe Strain and I couldn't be happier with it. The whip is a 10 foot, natuaral tan Indy style bullwhip. With a little Pecards, use and sunlight, it has darkened into a handsome, rich color. My whip is only a year old, but I am glad to know that we can look forward to many happy years together! We are both improving with age!

Thanks again, Aldo!

Michael

No Mike... THANK YOU! Gorgeous whip, by the way! That's exactly the color mine was when new... It is also interesting to see that the whip is made by Joe (that is, they seem to be made by the same person), but proportions are different. I wonder which may be the differences between my whip and whips coming out of Joe's shop nowadays... Might as well give it a try...