Club Obi Wan

I recently became interested in obtaining a non-Indy whip after seeing an old Florida cow whip on Mysteries at the Museum and watching a lot of Westerns lately. Some internet research showed that all modern replicas are constructed of nylon, but to me a whip isn't a whip unless it's 100% genuine leather. Does anybody know of a whipmaker who can produce a custom-made Florida cow whip in kangaroo hide?

It seems that my preferred whip artisan (Jeremy McEachern) is out of business, as his website is off-line. I'd like to find a whipmaker who will actively collaborate on the creation of my whip as I envision it: a 1940's-type Florida cow whip with a semi leather-wrapped hardwood handle, 16-plait 2-tone kangaroo thong with 2 bellies, finished with an Indy style fall / point. A robust & well-balanced medium weight whip with a fast, smooth action for target work, wraps, and freeform cracking.



If you have any good suggestions, I'm open to them! Merry Christmas & Happy New Year for 2017!

Contact Blake Brunning.
Also, Dusty of crease n corral makes his whips of cowhide but could definitely produce what you seek if he was free enough to do so.

I have revised the design of my 1940's-style adventure whip to a hybrid bullwhip / Florida cow whip: a 7-foot 12-plait cowhide lash sling-hitched to a leather-covered hardwood grip with a robust turkshead knot.



I've contacted Dusty with this unique whip design, and I'm sure he will be up to the challenge!

Anybody know the proper terminology for this interesting vintage-style hinge joint? I like it!

That appears to be a 'Crown Sinnet' knot, most commonly used in lanyards and fobs. Pretty neat usage!

Peter Jack uses that type of transition on his Zenith bullwhips. As I understand it, he got oft from a bullcock whip..

Thanks, guys! I found that one in a Google search for 'vintage whip'. It cropped up on several examples of antique whips, proving that it must have been a popular style whip hinge back in the old days, and that's exactly what I'm looking for!

Well, Dusty has a 12-month back log, so I'll have to keep searching.

I have a 12 footer made from deer hide that an old Florida rancher made for me back in 1988 hanging on my wall.

He was a lieutenant in the Florida Highway Patrol I worked with at the time whose family owns a HUGE cattle ranch in mid Florida, and has for several generations. They still made their own whips to move cattle from horseback. It looks exactly like the whip hanging on the saddle in the very first photo. He even hand carved the handle for the whip.

The whip is VERY fast and easy to control.

They still make and use them on those ranches, or at least they did back in the late 80's.

Regards! Michaelson

That's part of the reason I'd like to try a hinge-handle whip, because all of my experience so far has been with Indy bullwhips and the odd snakewhip. A lot of those old serial heroes (like Zorro) carry stockwhips with the hinged lash, which appears to give the whip a fast, fluid action. My hybrid is basically a hinged bullwhip; sort of the best of both worlds.

P.S.- I also put in a request with WSP for a price quote on the job. Shopping around to see which supplier will cut the best deal.

Did you contact Blake? If I want something I am going to do what it takes. Talk with Blake of trinity whip co.

Actually, I contacted Jeremy, who agreed to make the whip for me despite closing up shop. We have a good repertoire, and because I am a repeat customer, he is more than happy to accept the project. We're hashing out the design specs right now, and it's going to be a truly incredible and unique whip! I promise to post pics when it's finished!

Great. Why did Jeremy close up shop?

Here's what his e-mail said:

I've been tapering off it for a while now, been trying to get things in line to start training to be a paramedic and firefighter. The inconsistency with the whips just forced me to push it to the background. Then to top it all off I had a couple crappy customers that were more stress than it was worth. I unfortunately just quit enjoying it. That said, it was always a great time working with you before! I'd love to hear you out on what you're planning and if I think I can tackle it, I'll take it on!

I see. Yeah ok thanks. Well look forward to seeing your whip when it's all finished.

6-foot 12-plait American stockwhip in kangaroo, with solid bridle leather fall



The whip finally arrived, and it's everything I hoped for! First, the handle is exquisite. The contrasting colors of the heel knot nicely compliment the keeper lacing, and the lash is beyond perfection. Jeremy's precision braiding is nothing short of masterful. The lash tapers down to an elegantly slender point, perfectly balanced with the narrow fall. The 2-tone pattern gives the whip a distinctive western character lacking in single-tone whips. And it handles like a dream!



Stitched leather handle



The French grapevine is a work of art unto itself!

Although I've never touched a stockwhip in my life before now, I quickly found that it behaves much like a bullwhip. Incredibly lightweight, it throws lightning-fast figure 8 volleys and tracks with consistent accuracy. I snapped straws off my target stand, and the stockwhip just obliterated them, shredding plastic bits everywhere! I'm still amazed how tight the braiding is. The lash is absolutely rock-solid, almost like a leather cord. It literally sings through the air with a dangerous glassy hiss - quite satisfying to throw around!



Solid leather wrist loop, per 1940's style

The inspiration was a hybrid of the stockwhip used in Zorro's Black Whip and the lash carried by Patricia Morison in Tarzan and the Huntress. The result, I think, successfully captures the essence of a vintage 1940's adventure whip. Jeremy has outdone himself again, typical of his expertise in leather craftsmanship. As a whipcracking aficionado, I am extremely grateful for Jeremy taking time to accept one more commissioned project amid his busy schedule, and I will always treasure this whip as the crown jewel of my collection. Hats off to JM Whips!



My custom made whip rack

Get those nunchucks off there now!! Nice looking & different whip!

I started using nunchucks as a kid (prior to learning whipcracking), and later found that both flail weapons utilize the same fundamental mechanics, and their forms reinforce each-other. I still enjoy playing around with them, although my nunchuck skills are fairly novice.

Oh...umm...wow. I'm not really sure what to make of it other than it is certainly very unique. Thanks for sharing!

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. It's exactly what I wanted.

P.S.- Today I was throwing the stockwhip around for about 20 minutes, then I switched over to the Terry Jacka bullwhip, which felt like it was made of lead by comparison. Heavy! It's like riding a chopper vs. a dirtbike - completely different beasts!

That one whip at the top of the thread with the long wooden handle reminds me of a whip that my parents bought me when I was 10. They bought it from the local feed store and it looked almost just like that I'd swear. I returned it because me being me (thus leading to my gear head years) said that it didn't look anything like Indy's whip.


Great selection of whips you have there!! Nothing wrong with branching out into different whips, just like other's branch out into different style's of period fedora's and jackets. If we can't evolve our styles to suit our tastes then what are we here for?

Oh, Indiana Jones.... that's right...

My very first bullwhip also came from a farm supply store! It was a crude-looking 8-plait red & white checkered cowhide bullwhip with a wooden swivel handle. The price was about $30 as I recall, and it looked nothing like the Indiana Jones bullwhip I'd envied for years, but we all have to start somewhere!