Club Obi Wan

Hello! I recently acquired my very first whip (thanks sab04!) and I have a question about whips in general, as I am new to the whip thing . I understand that a whip is to be kept in a loose coil, and from my whip it seems that a whip has a natural curve in it which the whip is inclined to take. Now, should a whip be able to coil nicely which ever way you bend it? For example, my whip coils nicely one way, but if I were to have it coiled...coil closest to the ground, and then turn it over, so the coil faces upward, and try to coil it the other way, it just won't have it, it feels like it is straining against this "natural curve." Should a whip have only one position that it curves nicely in (and when I say curve, I mean after letting it uncoil, the curve from the handle through the thong and down into the whip), or should it be able to cuve nicely any way I hold it...without feeling like it is "straining" against the direction that it usually coils in. I know this may be very difficult to understand...but if anyone gets it...I would love some answers! If not...I will try to post pics to illustrate my point as it is #### hard to explain in words ...

-John

John, the feature you've described is quite natural for a leather whip. You should go along with it, I mean coil it the way it wants to be coiled. You'll also notice it's much easier to crack it when you're going with this natural curve. The whip will also crack when going against it, but then you're getting a very broad cutting stroke.

A very good question, John. What brand whip?

Dear JohnNdy,

I know exactly what you are talking about. Coil the whip in it's natural way, and don't force it against the other direction. This natural bend is dictated by the belly of the whip and the bolsters, so don't worry about it. All whips have a natural bend to them, so coil them that way.

Best Regards and Happy Cracking,


Paul Stenhouse

Thanks so much guys! All my anxiety is now gone ...by the way, Schwammy, it is a 12 plait em-brand whip (made by Bernie Wojcicki) in the indy-style that I bought from sab04...it is a really beautiful whip, I am very happy...

-John

You're welcome. Always happy to help out.

Best Regards,

Paul Stenhouse