Club Obi Wan

I have seen pics of todds whip, but I am looking for some video that shows it in action. If anyone has a vid or can make one, it would be helpfull in making a purchase decision.

I'm not bashing the whip that Todd offers but it is mainly a display/replica whip, same lines as a replica knife (it looks the part and could do cutting tasks but that is not what it was designed for, it is designed to be looked at the same as todd's whip, it looks the part and can crack but really not designed for that use) Save your money and purchase a fully real and functional whip from a whipmaker, you will be happier in the long run. I know that it is hard to wait on something that you could have now but many would probably agree with me in saying to save and get a quality whip that was designed to be cracked.

Keep Crackin,
James

I was in Todd's Shop a few weeks ago and looked at the new whips. They are ALL leather, including the core, and I think 12 plait (?).

I train horses and use whips a lot, either for gun breaking, despooking, or just showing off. For $130 for the 10 footer , or I think it was a hundred for the 8...I was impressed. They for sure need to be conditioned, with either some Dr. Jacksons, or Pecards or that new Leather CPR stuff (probably a few treatments with that would be fantastic).

I mean, I wouldn't be swinging across a pit with it, but if you're looking for a quality piece of gear that looks good and will impress your friends and family...it's a good way to go.

If you want to do demo's for boyscout troops, well then, maybe it's the whip, maybe not...

Right now IMO the best budget whips are the natural hide whips done by Louie Foxx or nylon whips by many other fine makers both on this board and off . A whip made by a person with a name and and a reputation go a long way in this hobby of ours. Take advantage of it.

My whip would mainly be for display/costume wear, but I would like to be able to crack it every so often. I have sent an email to Todds asking about any deluxe whips they currently offer (only the 'prop' grade version is offered on their website)
I may give them a call and get more information that way. I simply do not have the budget to invest in a high-end whip, and knowing that it will be mostly for display and costume wear, as long as it looks accurate and can be occasionally cracked, I should be fine with what Todds may offer...
We will see.

It was my understanding that there is only 1 style now, and that's the full leather/leather core. The older ones had a rubber core (guess that was the prop whip).

Right, As I understand it Todd's Costumes no longer sells their "in house" bullwhips constructed over a rubber core, or their “deluxe” version of that prop. I did however have a chance to look over their new Indy bullwhips that they are currently selling while in California this past November. I don't think anyone took video of me cracking one of their whips, but I can say that I was pleasantly surprised by what I found.

While it wasn't a perfect whip by any means, it wasn't terrible. Like I told Todd and his charming assistant Kristen, it wasn't bad... it wasn't great either but it wasn't that bad. I was however able pick one and put it through the fundamental cracks and some various combinations with out too much trouble.

I do think there are some modifications that could be done to improve them (slightly)though. First, a good quality leather dressing as already mentioned. These whips were really dry and should have some conditioning prior to use. Second they are light weight and their balance was only so so. Again as mentioned they are reportedly made from all leather, but I don't believe the handles where weighted; which might have helped somewhat. A few applications of leather dressing should help by adding some weight back to the thong, but only to a limited extent. Three, I think they could do with a better quality fall. The falls on the whips that I had seen where not well tapered, they where very dry as well as a bit grainy and fuzzy which usually indicates weaker leather. But most of these are modifications that could be easily done if one decided to do so.

These new whips actually do resembled the David Morgan bullwhip fairly closely at first glance, more so then any others in this price range that I have ever seen. It had some flaws of course, the strands where cut some what wide and uneven in spots and some of the plaiting/seams were crooked here and there. The taper of the whips was alright, but because of the light weight, I would probably stick with an 8ft model if your planning to use it. I'm sure the 10 ft would look good for a costume though if thats what you wanted. The handle was also a little short, more like the modern Morgans; but the whips captured the Indy look very well. To be honest, I've been thinking about buying one of these whips myself just to have one to mess around with, see if I can improve it and hang up in my home office for display.

Todd was under the impression that these bullwhips were made from cowhide, I had also heard they were made from goat, so I'm not sure exactly what kind of leather they consist of or how the "guts" of the whips are constructed. Just that they are made with a 12 plait leather overlay and crafted in Pakistan. Given the material and the workmanship, I have a hard time seeing these whips lasting years and years under continuous use like a high quality professionally made whip should. Yet for the price Todd is asking, I don't think you are going to find a better looking Indy bullwhip at that price let alone one that you can also crack from time to time and have a little fun with.

I know Robert Dante, (a well known whip artist and performer) is marketing these same bullwhips in a 6ft length. He is billing it as an entry level bull whip and is recommending them for people wanting to get into whip cracking but not wanting to spend a lot on a first whip, while still being able to get acceptable results from the whip that have. I can't necessarily say I would recommend one of these to a serious whip cracker or to someone who really wanted to learn how to crack whips and get good at it, I just think there are better options available for that; but for the price and the over all quality and look they beat the e-bay specials hands down.

Dan

Thank you for the informative review - I am hoping to see pictures of one of these soon.

generalFROSTY wrote:Thank you for the informative review - I am hoping to see pictures of one of these soon.

Well, I plan on picking one up this week or within the next couple (this week is torn between a new version downtowner or whip)

RaidersBash wrote:

generalFROSTY wrote:Thank you for the informative review - I am hoping to see pictures of one of these soon.

Well, I plan on picking one up this week or within the next couple (this week is torn between a new version downtowner or whip)

Don't forget to hook it up with ample photos. There seems to be a lack of pics of Todds whips here on COW (likely because most wont bother with them)

generalFROSTY wrote:

RaidersBash wrote:

generalFROSTY wrote:Thank you for the informative review - I am hoping to see pictures of one of these soon.

Well, I plan on picking one up this week or within the next couple (this week is torn between a new version downtowner or whip)

Don't forget to hook it up with ample photos. There seems to be a lack of pics of Todds whips here on COW (likely because most wont bother with them)

I'll take pics and maybe do a video with my horse and put it at youtube or something

I got an email reply from Todds today regarding thier whip selection. Here is the message:

Hi Jimmy,
We don’t offer the deluxe whip, it’s out of stock. We have prop whips listed on the site…8 ft 99.95 and 10 ft 124.95 . The 8 ft prop whip is just as nice and strong as the deluxe was. The 10 ft whips (for now) are more for show than for crackin’.
Best Regards,
Todd Coyle

I know a lot of people say to go with an 8ft for your first whip, but I have heard that the 10ft looks better on display. Can anyone share pics of whips to show this? I would also like to see what an 8 and 10ft whip looks like uncoiled.
I currently have funds being added weekly to an 'Indy gear' savings account. By August, I should have enough money to buy a quality hand made whip, as well as some artifact replicas that I want in my collection.
If you have a whip - any whip, please post some pics coiled/uncoiled. If you have one of Todd's, all the better.

Dan,

Thank you for the very impartial review. I agree with everything you said 100%. BTW, I soaked one in neetsfoot oil and added nearly a pound to the weight. It cracks really well.

As far as the leather - the old "Deluxe" whips were goat. These are cow, but not like any cow I've ever seen. The thongs are incredibly strong (at least the ones I've pulled on). Interior construction - I can't tell you with certainty because I haven't unravelled one, but I was told that they are all leather, and that the bellies are plaited.

I really can't add more. Dan said it all.

Todd

Hey Todd, if you get this...

can you confirm whether you have any 10 footers in the new style. I thought you said you did have some, but another gentlemen posted a couple up that's not the case.

Thanks.

I have two whips right now.

8', natural color, new "Australian" style, all leather, crackable, needs conditioning
10', tan color, all leather, crackable but heavy, better for wear than cracking

We will have the 10' to match the 8' when we sell out of our current stock.

We will be continuing to improve these as we are able to reorder. Next run will have weighted handles and conditioned leather, along with other improvements.

Todd,
Thanks for the update on your whips. Since I am in no immediate hurry to get a whip, I plan on holding out to see what you have coming down the pike. I would shell out $200 or $250 on a 10-footer when you are able to make available a whip with the specifications mentioned above.
Looking forward to your progress....and also looking forward to seeing what you come up with for the pants!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxGxCvf5bDc

This kid here has a whip from Robert Dante which supplies whips like Todds. It looks like one of the whips to, so I'd imagine that it probably is.

Very interestin...I will have to look into that.
Boy, that kid can crack! Beter than being ON crack....I always say....

Yes... it does look like a 6' version of my whip. Time for a little talk with my whip vendor.

Corrected: 4'

Puppetboy wrote:Yes... it does look like a 6' version of my whip. Time for a little talk with my whip vendor.

Corrected: 4'

Uh oh. I don't think I'm going to ask.

Uh oh!
I sense another "Whooopin" of a sort is about to take place!

Crack on!
Allen

No worries Todd, look forward to seeing what you have in store next. By the way, did your whip vendor tell you that you had exclusive rights to distribute these specific whips? Your reaction gave me the impression that you where surprised to see this whip available elsewhere.

Typically I would advised against soaking a leather whip in Neats foot oil. Your better off using quality hard fat type leather dressing, something with bees wax even thought it's a much slower absorption. Light oils like neat’s-foot oil or mink oil (Dressings that are liquid at room temperature) can over saturate leather, it will add weight but it can also cause the leather fibers to swell and loosen, weakening it in a similar way that water can. If you use too much you end up with weak mushy, oily leather. Also because they are liquid based They evaporate out faster which calls for more frequent reapplication and a build of some of the more harsh additives used in these products.

Dan

Dan,

Yes, this is supposed to be my exclusive product. Perhaps they don't consider a 4' version to be the same product. I'll contact them today.

I used the oil because I wanted something to soak all the way through, and I had it on hand. Perhaps you know of a better product to penetrate all the way through the core? I would be interested in something I can recommend to customers.

Todd

Puppetboy wrote:Dan,

Yes, this is supposed to be my exclusive product. Perhaps they don't consider a 4' version to be the same product. I'll contact them today.

I used the oil because I wanted something to soak all the way through, and I had it on hand. Perhaps you know of a better product to penetrate all the way through the core? I would be interested in something I can recommend to customers.

Todd

I have - what i guess i will now call - a belated christmas gift to drop off to you when i stop by tomorrow to pick up some stuff for my birthday!!! It's that leather treatment we were talking about. I think you'll like it.

I won't bother wrapping it

Todd, They may not consider the 4ft and 6ft versions part of your distribution contract, since you only carry the 8ft and 10ft models in your product line. Still I have seen these very same bullwhips show up on E-bay from time to time, they where not acquired through your company so perhaps some investigation is warranted.

Leather dressings like Pecards or Fiebings Aussie dressing would still be the best way to go, for long term results. Heavy applications given the chance to absorb in should do the trick but they take time and may not soak all the way into the core. There are old books on whip cracking that do reference soaking a whip in motor oil to help loosen and lucubrate them and soaking inexpensive whips in neats foot oil or even olive oil is still sometimes done to help add weight and lubrication to dry leather too, but today these practices are typically discouraged especially on whips of any type of value because they can often cause more harm then good.

I wish I had a more exacting answer for you, but what your asking isn't really typical of the type of whip care and maintenance that I deal with. The use of neats foot oil has long been controversial in whip and leather care and you need to be careful soaking some leathers in a liquid oil , since its a bit like soaking cardboard in water, it adds weight but the leather can become over saturated and weak.

There is a conditioner popular in Australia called Jay el leather dressing that many whip handlers use. It might be worth trying, It is a softer conditioner but still the hard fat type. Its non petroleum based and because it's softer and less waxy it tends to be absorbed more quickly. The one downfall is it also tends to be a bit rich for natural tan leathers and can darken them sometimes more then is desired.

Dan

I have ordered one of these in the 8 foot size, it should be getting here shortly. I will post pictures when it does. At 99 bux , I almost couldn´t afford not to pick one of these up, even if it´s to tinker with it as Dan said. I was also very impressed with his review. I practically have my high end whip quota filled ( never say never !) When Todd´s next batch of 10 footers comes in with the weighted handles, I´ll probably take the plunge too The exchange rate here in Europe is pretty good, for the price of a night out I can get a new toy
Thwak!

IndianaBravo

Todd, something you might want to look at for "faster absorbsion" is Fiebing's 4-Way Leather Conditioner. It's seems to be essentially a liquid form of the Fiebing Aussie Leather Conditioner.

http://www.fiebing.com/Leather_Care.aspx

I've used it to revive some really DRY leather that I've come across, (including an almost brand new Terry Jacka whip that had just sat in a box for about 4 or 5 years before I got it.) Stuff works great! I don't know that I'd want to soak a whip in it to give it more weight, but from what I've heard about these whips, (both your product and the ones that Dante is selling. Don't know if they're the same manufacturer, but they sure do seem to be suspiciously similar,) is that they come out of shipping a little dry.

I usually pick mine up at the local Tractor Supply Company, but you can probably find it at about any saddlery or tack shop, as Fiebings other products are so common.

Good luck in your communication with the manufacturer!

-Dan