Club Obi Wan

I think what I'm looking for is something that looks very Indy like, has a good length, good price and won't fall apart if I actually whip it. But I would not be using it to hobby-whip or practice on. Just something durable.

Thanks for your advice.

Todd's. Can't beat it for SA at the price point. It's usable and will hold up, but it shouldn't really be used extensively, at least in my experience. Others have had better luck.

The offerings from purewhips are also very good in my opinion

I would go with Todd's whip or nylon whip. Here is a thread with list of good nylon whipmakers - viewtopic.php?f=3&t=48809

Have a look at Graeme Roberts kip hide whips http://www.midlandwhips.com/cow-hide-whips.php

Del Carpio Whips...hands down the most SA whip on the market.

Kip hide from Graeme Roberts: For the money and durability and actual useability, he can't be beat. There are better whips out there, but not better deals.

DHW

Yeah, I gotta get me one of Midland's kips. And SOON!

Travis

Seriously, as some of you already know, I ordered a 6' Raiders from Midland Whips back around March/April and I use it all the time. It's my go to whip these days for trick wraps and cuts when I perform. I like it so much and it was so affordable, I immediately ordered three more kip hide whips from Graeme. They should be arriving any day now!

I'm also waiting on a couple of shorter whips from Bernardo. His and Joe's whips are the best, but of course, MUCH more expensive than Graeme's. Normally, I would say you get what you pay for, but with Graeme, you get much more. At least in my experience. The exchange rate was also very kind to me the week I bought my first 6' whip. Graeme charges 60 British pounds for a kip hide 6', and with the shipping and exchange rate at the time, I paid about a $100. The same whip brand new from David Morgan, made in kangaroo hide is about $600! A 6' 'roo hide whip from Bernardo is $440, plus shipping. Like I said, I LOVE Bernardo and I consider him a friend. I firmly believe he does the most SA work, and his whips are top notch. They are probably the BEST Raiders whip out there. But if you are on a budget, you'd be a fool not get a whip from Graeme.

DHW

Here's my three choices for affordable, usable IJ style whips:

Todd's ( http://www.toddscostumes.com ):

Cheapest, crackable, SA whip on the market.
However, I would only recommend this for someone who will not crack it very often.
(Or, if they REALLY like performing constant maintanence on whips. Consider it a learning tool ) The shape (taper and knots) is very SA, but, the plaiting is a little sloppy.

Gus Caicedo ( http://www.Purewhips.com ):

Very good handling, very good looking whips for a good price.
(My saddle tan 6' kip w/ 9" handle is my "go-to" whip)
Is it dead on SA? No, but very close. Gus has his own recognizable style of whip making (which is a good thing). Very durable whip. I've never had to perform any maintanence on the two I own (but, one is getting ready for a new fall, which is normal wear and tear).

Graeme Roberts ( http://www.midlandwhips.com ) :

Very SA (you even have your choice of movie) More expensive than a Todd's, but, less expensive than a Caicedo.
Unfortunately, I cannot comment on handling, as I am still awaiting mine to arrive. However, the reviews of his whips on this board are very favorible. (If Daren gives them a thumbs up, it's good enough for me. The man knows his whips!)

Daren said it very well. Graeme Roberts makes great whips. They are affordable and they perform great.

I wanted the same thing as the OP, but ended up LOVING cracking the Todd's whip so much that I went ahead and bought a high-end model from Joe Strain. It's a funny thing what this hobby can do to a person...

Graeme Roberts is living proof that you do not have to spend a heaping ton of money to buy a great whip!

Allen

I'm very happy with my Caicedo purewhips whip for the purposes that you stated.

It might be a good idea to go after one of the suggestions mentioned above - you will be paying a very fair price for a high quality product that will last you.

Easy answer: Graeme Roberts at Midland Whips. His kip-hide whip is a great option at an affordable price.

Especially if he is having a sale. Then it's a really good option.

My EM-Brand kangaroo-hide whip is still the Cadillac of whips I own. It's got nicer things, like the engraved cap on the Turk's Head with it's "Made in the Great Western Tiers... by Bernie Wojcicki...", serial number and my name. I'll never part with that whip, it's just a fantastic whip. However, for those very reasons, it may not fill the SA niche you mentioned.

Graeme studied Bernie's work to develop his whips, and that's why I went with him for another whip. Both are well made and crack with little effort.

I really like Bernie's work, plus he is a heck of a nice guy. I have exchanged several emails with him and he is always helpful. Hope to have one of his one of these days...

Crack On!
Allen

if your interested in a nylon indy bullwhip you should take a look at adkinsbullwhips.com the whip makers name is dirk adkins and he makes one sweet looking raiders whip his whips are very durable and very usable plus at this moment i cant find a site with better prices also dirk is an awesome guy very nice and very reliable

Very easy midland whips. Roberts skills as a whip make is way ahead of his time. That's one craftsmen to another.