Club Obi Wan

Hey guys... I've always admired the different bullwhips used by Alex Green in the instructional videos he did with Mark Allen. Does anyone have any information on these whips? I was just watching the pilot episode to "Peacemakers" and there is a brief scene in there where a "bad guy" comes on the scene cracking a bullwhip from horseback and startles the "good guy's" horse which throws him...this "bad guy" also uses the whip to disarm said "good guy". Because this was on Hulu I was able to pause and do frame-by-frame and to see the whip... At first my brain shouted "Thats a brown version of the whip Alex uses!"...I thought it was just my mind playing tricks on me, but then I looked closer and saw that the "bad guy" WAS ALEX GREEN! LOL! He's getting old! Thats why I didn't recognize him...but I recognize his whips.

Also, I know that the "Alex Green" whip (from WSP) was originally designed by Alex and crafted by Joe Strain, and while I'd like to hear feedback from people that own these whips too, I'm really wanting to learn about the whips that are apparently his "go to" whips when he needs to get the job done.

Thank you for mentioning this! I'm now addicted to this show!

I have handled the Zorro whip used in filming, as well as the prototype for the Alex Green whip, (serial # 001. The one that is pictured in all of WSP's advertising,) and a couple older production models of the Zorro whip.

They handled BEAUTIFULLY; Light, quick, springy in the transition so they just crack with no effort at all, and like anything that Joe lets leave his shop, ACCURATE AS HADES!

Now, Joe DOES make them a LITTLE bit differently now, (as I think he was maybe 16 when he made the whip for Alex that ended up being used in Mask of Zorro, and he's refined his skills considerably since then.) The originals had cane handle foundations and had a VERY small amount of shot loading to give them a little more kick, but Joe has since gone to a steel foundation rather than cane one, and has taken out the shot loading. I had a brief correspondence with him about this a few years ago, and he feels the design changes have greatly improved the performance of this whip.

I haven't had the opportunity to handle more recent samples of these specific whips, but knowing Mr. Strain's sensibilities through sampling a LARGE cross-section of his work , I am inclined to believe him when he says they're better.

If you're interested in obtaining one of these whips, might I suggest that you talk DIRECTLY to Joe.

jstrain@northernwhipco.com

Mark holds copyright on both the Alex Green Signature AND the Official Zorro bullwhips, but it's Joe that makes them. I'm not saying "Don't buy from WSP," I'm just saying talk to Joe first.

All the best,

-Dan

thefish wrote:"...If you're interested in obtaining one of these whips, might I suggest that you talk DIRECTLY to Joe..."

Thank you! I've actually been speaking at length with Joe about making me a custom whip based off of the Zorro/AG whip. I'm wanting a target whip that has some weight to it. Something that cracks with explosive energy, but with minimal effort... so far my plan is a 16 plait, brandy, 11-12in handled Z/AG whip, without the metal band and extra keepers. I haven't settled on this yet though...at least not on the length. I want this whip to comfortably hang across my chest. At first I was think I wanted it to comfortably hang on a belt as well, but then I'd probably have to shorten it to 10in, and I really don't want to lose the beautiful action of this style of whip... so I'm undecided on the handle length so far. Suggestions anyone?

All this said...I'm still wanting to hear some information on the standard whips Alex uses himself.

thefish wrote:"...Mark holds copyright on both the Alex Green Signature AND the Official Zorro bullwhips, but it's Joe that makes them..."

Actually, and it's sad, but Joe no longer makes these whips for WSP. Mark Allen is using some other whipmaker(s)...and I've heard they aren't as nice as the ones Joe made. However, I've never handled them personally so thats just hear/say.

Last I heard, those were the last of the whips that Strain was making for Mark, because of what I believe were "creative differences."

So, that said then.

Talk to Joe about the whip, and talk to Bernie about the silver band ;-)

thefish wrote:Last I heard, those were the last of the whips that Strain was making for Mark, because of what I believe were "creative differences."

Yes...I've heard this too. I'm glad Joe branched off, but I wish he had rights to those whips. For the sake of people who want a "genuine" replica, and because Joe was the true genius behind bringing them "to life" for Alex. He deserves full recognition for his work, and people paying such a premium for these whips from WSP should really get the genuine article.

Haha...the silver band is cool, but I think I would rather not have it...personally. ;-)

Hi pmgilmer,
I'm emanuele from Italy, I have a whip collection, including Zorro and Alex Green whip, who a few days ago I put pictures, you can see here:
http://indygear.com/cow/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=46069

Maybe can help you understand the model you want.

These are photos of Zorro 2008 and Alex in 2010, both made by Joe Strain.
Are excellent and very flexible whips crack easily.

Just spoke to Mark Allen at WSP, and at the end of the call I figured I would ask him real quick about the Zorro and Alex Green whips, and he said that Joe was still making those for them.

I haven't spoken to Joe about it, but I just thought I would mention it.

Regards,

Paul Nolan
www.MidWestWhips.com