Look Here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/JMWhips/3 ... 04?fref=ts
"So, as Baldwyn said, I received the whip yesterday. Mine, (or ours, rather), is the 6', 16 plait target whip with the natural highlights on the knots. I say ours because everyone from my East Bay Whipcrackers group decided to pitch in an equal share, so that we could have a "Club Whip", one that we could take turns taking home for a few weeks at a time. I also initially thought it might be one that we would designate as being handy to loan out to newbies to the group, but I have decided that its too nice for that, and I'd like to see it preserved as a nice targeting whip.
Now, before I begin my review I'd just like to point out that I know that Jeremy is looking for constructive criticism, not merely praise, so I'll try to be as honest as I can . . .
First of all, the whip is very very nice. Quite a lot nicer than I was expecting. It is sleek and tightly braided, reminiscent of work I've seen by top whipmakers like Nolan, Strain and Del Carpio. For a target whip, it's well balanced, and has a good weight to it. The plaiting is straight and smooth, and for a 16 plait whip, the strand drops are well hidden. The taper is very good, not perfect, but very good, and the point and fall hitch are very tight, and very nice. The tapered popper is also a nice touch, which really does make the whip crack LOUDLY! For a target whip it seems accurate, cracks nicely, and is comfortable in the hand. I'm pleased with this whip, and am certain that Jeremy followed tried and true methods to make a whip that he and I and my group could be proud of.
Additionally, I'd like to add that in the last four years that I've been interested in whips I've handled whips from many of the world's foremost whipmakers. It would be silly to say that Jeremy ranks near the top, but it would not be silly to say that if he continues with this, I think that one day, he will. I sincerely mean that. I own or have owned whips from Joe Strain, Paul Nolan, Bernardo Del Carpio, Terry Jacka, David Morgan, Bernie Wojcicki, Lauren Wickline, and others. And I've handled whips by whipmakers like Peter Jack, and Mike Murphy and a number of others still, known for leather and nylon work. And again, let me just say that Jeremy shows about as much promise as anyone I can think of if he chooses to pursue this as a career or side job. I've seen promising whipmakers come and go already in my short time involved in this hobby. As some of you know, I've been burned by folks like Mike Brower and Graeme Roberts. Graeme, who showed promise for a while, burned out and left a lot of folks unhappy, as many of you are still quite aware. Compared to Jeremy, his work wasn't even very good. Now I say that owning only examples of Graeme's kip hide whips, and Jeremy made me a roo hide whip, but still . . . If Jeremy can continue to innovate and build a reputation, (and based on this one example of his whip, I hope that this review does what it can to help), I think that he will be a member of this community who can be counted on to make a fine product for all those who are interested in giving him a chance.
Outside of the whip itself, my communication with Jeremy has been professional and productive, and I sincerely hope that if Jeremy continues to make customer service as much of a priority as his attention to making a fine product that he will be a success in this strange little business.
Jeremy, thanks for following through on your word, and thanks for making a whip that I'm proud to share with not only my club, but with everyone here at COW and beyond. Good luck, my friend, keep up the great work. I look forward to watching you and your work grow with the years"
Some Photos
Anthony DeLongis trying it out on the Queen Mary
Close Inspection by Paul Nolan, Jorgen Roed, Dan Borton and Lauren Wickline
And here is a review I put on Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IyzMASMrlYU
If you decide to have Jeremy make you a whip, I think you will be pleasantly surprised at the quality and craftsmanship of this young man's work.
Daren Henry W
PS I forgot to add that I used Jeremy's whip at this year's Indygear/Queen Mary Summit for the whip targeting competition. Not only did I take first place, I got a perfect score: 10/10. I had taken a few practice runs and knew that Jeremy's whip was up for the task, and it did not disappoint.
Thanks again, Jeremy, for making a whip that came through in the clutch. DHW
