Club Obi Wan

Hey guys, relatively new here but I had browsed this forum years ago when you didn't need an account to view. So here's my question, I've tried my hand at a few whips with varying success but I's like to try a wooden handled bullwhip but don't know how the handle attachment would work on a swivel/wooden handled bullwhip so do any of you experts out there know?

Thanks

Whips with wooden handles that swivel, in my opinion, at least around these parts, are generally considered cheap and ineffective. Fine for a cheap prop or cheap toy, they are typically not well made, can be hard to crack, and the swivel action makes them difficult to control. There are many whip enthusiasts, makers, vendors, etc. who will most likely back me up here and say that if you are interested in a relatively inexpensive starter whip, something like a nylon made whip, or an inexpensive cowhide whip is the best way to go.

Why the interest in the swivel handle, may I ask? Is it some real interest in that type of whip or is it a cost issue? I've owned a couple of whips like that in my time, and both times they had cheap construction and virtually no taper past the first two feet. A whip without proper taper from handle to fall is pretty well useless.

That said, there are many well made bullwhips that have wooden handles; quality is quality, after all, but if you are looking at something under $50, I would advise against it.

DHW

Thanks for the input. The reason I was really Interested is that I saw the work on this site http://www.handmadewhips.com/index.php and just thought it looked pretty cool and didn't know how they were made. I guess if they're harder to handle because of the transition though i'll just stay away from that design.

Price isn't really an issue because I wasn't planning on purchasing one. I don't really have the cash to dish out on that so the only whips I own are those that I've made and those are all paracord.

I'm quite sure that those whips aren't made with the swivel handle, but I could be wrong.

ST wrote:I'm quite sure that those whips aren't made with the swivel handle, but I could be wrong.

Quite right. Now that I've looked at the link, I would say that they are quite nice! They look like Leonard Wheatley style whips. Very nice!

DHW

Lol I thought that wooden handle meant swivel handle ... whoops. I can't say I know who Leonard Wheatley is either but if his work looks like that than he must be good. Well If anyone out there knows how the handle attachment is done on whip like those in the link than I would be very interested in knowing.

Thanks,
Holmes

Holmes wrote:Lol I thought that wooden handle meant swivel handle ... whoops. I can't say I know who Leonard Wheatley is either but if his work looks like that than he must be good. Well If anyone out there knows how the handle attachment is done on whip like those in the link than I would be very interested in knowing.

Thanks,
Holmes

Leonard Wheatley was arguably the best cow hide whipmaker of his time, and sadly he passed away several years back. Here is a link to a picture of one of his whips:

http://web.me.com/johnleonetti/cracktice/060709.html#0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Regards,

Paul

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

I can vouch for Mr. SanSoucie's (handmadewhips.com) work. I have a 7 footer he made for me in a chocolate colored Latigo, not with a wooden handle mind you, but a fully plaited one. It handles beautifully and there isn't a flaw to be found in the workmanship. His work is also priced very fairly, lower than one would expect for the level of craftsmanship put into them. I've always admired his wood handled whips, and I know I'm not alone. I've heard a few people say they consider him the guy to go with when it comes to "woodies".

As for the handle attachment, I can't speak for how each whipmaker does his specifically, but usually there is more handle than what you can see in the finished product. Usually there is a slimmed down portion of the handle that runs under the thong for the first few inches, the strands are plaited onto the handle itself. I hope that makes some kind of sense.

Wow. It appears that Mr. Wheatley did very good work! I agree that the whips at handmadewhips.com look very similar to Mr. Wheatley's.

stoneman wrote:As for the handle attachment, I can't speak for how each whipmaker does his specifically, but usually there is more handle than what you can see in the finished product. Usually there is a slimmed down portion of the handle that runs under the thong for the first few inches, the strands are plaited onto the handle itself. I hope that makes some kind of sense.

Thanks for the Info. I'm just amazed at how little information is out there on the web about making these types of whips (Even through Google!! ), especially considering that the classic american bullwhip would've had a wooden handle.

Holmes wrote:Wow. It appears that Mr. Wheatley did very good work! I agree that the whips at handmadewhips.com look very similar to Mr. Wheatley's.

stoneman wrote:As for the handle attachment, I can't speak for how each whipmaker does his specifically, but usually there is more handle than what you can see in the finished product. Usually there is a slimmed down portion of the handle that runs under the thong for the first few inches, the strands are plaited onto the handle itself. I hope that makes some kind of sense.

Thanks for the Info. I'm just amazed at how little information is out there on the web about making these types of whips (Even through Google!! ), especially considering that the classic american bullwhip would've had a wooden handle.

sorry for the late reply... Stoneman has it right, but If I could help with anything send me a PM or Email.

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