Club Obi Wan

Hello!

First, if this has been asked before, I apologized. I searched but did not see anything on this.

Is there anyone that makes kits so that I could buy the pre-cut leather and instructions so I can make my own whip? I am really good at braiding and things like that (turk's heads, etc.), so I'm sure I could do well to make one.

Sure would be nice to have one I made myself and would save a lot of money too, which I find myself very short of these days.

If anyone knows of anyone that might be willing to sell such a kit, please PM me with details. Thanks! Merry Christmas!

Mike Murphy used to sell a make your own bullwhip kit http://www.murphywhips.com

If you already know how to braid I could probably cut some lace for you and add a copy of Bullwhip Making for The Beginner (http://bullwhips.org/bullwhip_store/vie ... oductid=20). Over the years I've done that for a several people. If you want to do the send me a PM and I'll figure out what it'd cost me to cut out a whip for you.

However if saving money and doing it yourself are your goal you might as well just cut out the whole thing yourself. You can get a good skin from http://www.midwestwhips.com that plus a copy of my ebook or Ron Edwards book will save you even more!

Louie
http://bullwhips.org

Louie, you beat me to it!

Here is the direct link to Murphy's Indy Bullwhip Making Kit:

http://www.murphywhips.com/MW03I005Indy ... aking.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I have sold Whip kits occasionally on request, but I think it is a mis conception that if the whipmaker doesn't have to braid it then it will be a lot cheaper. At least for me, I find the braiding the easier and less time consuming part of whipmaking. The preparation of everything takes up the majority of time, as every layer is cut to suit that specific whip, and then everything still has to be stretched, resized, beveled, split (if needed), etc... Once it comes to the braiding you can get into a good rhythm.

Just looking at Murphy's Indy Bullwhip kit, it is only roughly 25% less, so you are still looking at $400 not including shipping for an 8ft instead of the $540 for a finished one from him. Now if the exchange rate was where it was a few years back then it would be about half, unfortunately the American Dollar isn't cooperating. ;-)

I completely agree with Louie, if saving money is the main focus then you should just try making it from scratch. But if you are interested in learning more about whipmaking, the kit would be interesting to see how another whipmaker maybe does things differently. Although if you are interested in learning whipmaking, you might as well just make it from scratch anyway. After all, the best way to learn how to make good whips is to just make a ton of whips all the while constantly trying to improve.

Regards,

Paul

http://www.MidWestWhips.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The other misconception about whip kit is that you don't have to cut anything. And while the person making the kit will do most of the cutting, with something like a 12 plait bullwhip with two bellies and two bolsters you probably will have to do some tweaking here or there...and experience from cutting out and prepping the strands will help you correctly make those tweaks.

When a whip maker makes a whip they generally cut things to suit the layer on that specific whip For example if a whip maker cut out the bolsters all at the same time the whip maker is making an educated guess how wide it needs to be, then the'll adjust the bolster to fit that layer before they attach it. So with a whip kit you are getting the makers best guess based on how they make things, not necessarily how you make them. If the whip maker braids very tight the diameter of the internal layers of the whip will be thinner than someone that braids very loose. That could make a perfectly cut out bolster not fit simply due to the difference in plaiting style.

For me the best way to make a decent whip was to learn to make a ton of horrible ones! Here's my first bullwhip:


Here's an 8 foot indy I finished today:


The best advice is to get a skin and a knife and go to town!

Louie
http://bullwhips.org

Louie,

I gotta say, your whips keep getting better looking. Your latest there is darn near perfect! (the only reason I did not say it was perfect is because it is not mine!! )

Whitebull,

I know that you want to make a leather whip, but, may I suggest first trying one using paracord.
I know that it is a different medium and will require a different approach than working with leather, but, it is much less costly.
Making nylon whips has taught me much about things like taper, weight distribution, plaiting patterns and strand drops.

When I move onto leather, I know that I will be learning a whole new skill set, but, at least I will have some experience that will transfer over.