Club Obi Wan

Package day is always a great day.
Yesterday afternoon I received my Joe Strain Raiders Anniversary 10ft bullwhip!!

Packaged very neatly:





The whip is beautiful!
Joe's work is insanely good. His braiding is incredibly tight (I had forgotten how stiff the new whips are as my Strain 8ft is nicely broken in now), and attention to detail is amazing. There is much more heft to the 10ft so it will be interesting to use as I'm so used to my 8ft now.
I didn't have time to get out last night, but I will be testing it out tonight!!






Thanks again Joe for such a high quality product and excellent service!

Ryan

That is one nice whip you got there

I know it is a Strain, but should you spoil it by giving it its own cushion?

The whip is gorgeous. I even like the color of the poly crackers.



Aldo.

Impeccable craftsmanship, as usual. Reminds me of my own package day from Joe a few years back, a joyous occasion indeed.

Crack it in good health!
ATB
IndianaBravo

Fantastic! That whip is gorgeous!

Nothing like package day!

Allen

Thanks guys!

Comparing my worked-in 8ft with the new arrival was fun too.
Nothing like a brand new whip, it's full of potential and possibilities!

I know it is a Strain, but should you spoil it by giving it its own cushion?

I figured it would be given a good workout tonight so why not pamper it for a day?

Lukes Roommate wrote:Thanks guys!

Comparing my worked-in 8ft with the new arrival was fun too.
Nothing like a brand new whip, it's full of potential and possibilities!

I know it is a Strain, but should you spoil it by giving it its own cushion?

I figured it would be given a good workout tonight so why not pamper it for a day?

Truth is, I'm starting to like the idea of giving mine one for its birthday...

It's so perfect looking!

Regarding those poly crackers...I love them.
The nylon ones tangle rather too easily for my liking, yet those poly ones never give me grief.

I agree about the poly crackers.
I've always made my own out of bonded nylon thread, but, after trying a poly one I won't be going back. I could instantly tell the difference. Louder cracks with less effort and no more tangles.

Got out for a quick half hour with the 10ft...very interesting.
Slower, heavier, gives you a little more body/arm adjustment time while performing cracks/combos.
I was able to pull off the "Winrich Flash" which felt like I was watching it in bullet time because of the slower motion.
Very cool nonetheless and I'm really looking forward to more time with it.

As for the whip itself? Cracks LOUD, effortlessly and is just outstanding.

I have found in my short experience so far with whips, that as for cracker tangling, you need to adjust cracker size for you whip.

My crackers tangled like crazy, then I guess I just hit the sweet spot when I started making longer tapered crackers, they range

in 10-12 in. long, crack louder with less effort, and I think since I have started ( a good 500 cracks ago , not long but a good

amount of cracks ) I've had it tangle twice. In fact, I know for sure it's twice, I have a kind of photographic memory so I remember

for sure. Two cracker tangles in 500 cracks, with a 12in. long nylon tapered cracker.

YES! Welcome aboard the Joe Strain Train! I have one of these exact whips and I LOVE it! You will too! Enjoy!





DHW

Thanks Daren!

Heading out tonight for more practice. There are a few rotating combos Adam does in that one video that I want to try with the 10 footer tonight!

Don't slap yourself

Have fun, I'm jealous of that whip

Very nice whip! I have a Strain that I treasure. I've tried that particular model whip that Strain sells and I really enjoyed it. Great choice!

As far as the poly vs nylon debate, it's personal preference really. Nylon is great for "sharper cracks" and lasting longer. But the con to nylon is that it may tangle easier. Poly is excellent for multiple crack routines because it's "stiffer" which produces less tangles. I almost never experience tangles with poly. But since you are talking about how doesn't last long, I would agree to an extent. I bought some poly from a vendor and it garbage. I bought a different poly from another vendor and my results were drastically different. The poppers last much longer and doesn't take the same precision to get a good crack.

WhipDude wrote:Very nice whip! I have a Strain that I treasure. I've tried that particular model whip that Strain sells and I really enjoyed it. Great choice!

As far as the poly vs nylon debate, it's personal preference really. Nylon is great for "sharper cracks" and lasting longer. But the con to nylon is that it may tangle easier. Poly is excellent for multiple crack routines because it's "stiffer" which produces less tangles. I almost never experience tangles with poly. But since you are talking about how doesn't last long, I would agree to an extent. I bought some poly from a vendor and it garbage. I bought a different poly from another vendor and my results were drastically different. The poppers last much longer and doesn't take the same precision to get a good crack.

Where do you like to get your poly from? I was thinking of ordering a couple rolls from murphy's, but if you got another place

I'd be glad to try it

Check ouy your local hardware store or store with gardening equipment. Here, in Poland, I buy polypropylene twine for my crackers in a hardware store, this twine is mainly used by farmers to bind the hay in the packets. You should have something similiar in the States.

Great whip! Could you show us a comparison between the transition zones, when holding both whips?

Thanks guys!

Great whip! Could you show us a comparison between the transition zones, when holding both whips?

Sure, I'll take some pics and post as soon as I can!

Ryan

riku1914 wrote: Where do you like to get your poly from? I was thinking of ordering a couple rolls from murphy's, but if you got another place

I'd be glad to try it

I've gotten mine from Simon Martin about 2 years ago. It works great.

I'm not sure about Mike Murphy's but since he's a quality whip maker, I'd imagine it would be good as well.

Man, that is one great looking whip!

Well, I think I shall focus any practice session on one whip length.
Switching back and forth between the 8 foot and 10 foot was a little disconcerting with the weight difference.
The 8ft felt like a shoelace after using the 10ft!

Wow, congratulations on your beautiful new whip!

Have fun out there!

Did you get the pics comparing the transition stiffness? I'd be interested in seeing these as well

Sorry, no pics yet, but I will try tonight!
The 10 foot is still very stiff, while my 8ft Strain is broken in. Feels like a snake compared to the 10ft!

That's a beautiful whip! I'd sure like to get a Joe Strain.

Very Nice!

Kyle

so beautifull!!!!!!!

JP

I love the color! I know what you mean about that slow motion feeling.

Being as I just got my first whip, a used 10' Jacka CS, all this info about crackers is new to me. Can you tell me what type/brand of cracker this is that came on my whip. I just had my first tangle the other evening. This cracker doesn't look to be in great shape but I don't know for sure.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/35223822@N ... 7336430900

It's a tapered polypropylene twine cracker. If you can't make crackers yet, buy some twine and watch youtube videos. Change it every cracking session or every two sessions.

Any pics or videos Luke?

Did you ever get a chance to compare the 8' and 10' transition stiffness?