New to cracking

[strikeomen]

Ok so I just got my first nylon whip and it is amazing. Now I can do a cattleman's crack about 50% of the time.
I am having trouble other times as I feel the whip cracks when it is in a certain position, let me try to explain that better. I start to crack the whip it does not make much sound. I rotate the whip in my hand (turning it round) and I find it cracks better in that position. Now is this the whip being broken in or is it me and the way I crack.
Oh and I was also wondering where you go to learn new techniques?

[niagrawhipco]

I highly suggest you search YouTube for Adam Winrich or Adam Crack. He has some great instructional videos that will help you learn the different cracks. Also check out Daren Wilkerson. I believe his YouTube channel is called Flicky (may have a number attached to it, I forget) but he also made some really helpful videos showing and explaining the different cracks. Also you can buy Anthony Delongis' Mastering the Bullwhip DVD's from his website. He was the man who personally trained Harrison Ford for Crystal Skull.

[fifthchamber]

The whip will have a natural roll out route that allows it to crack easier, usually it'll follow the softest line along the strands bound together...(At least with leather it does, not so sure about Nylon, but it should be the same to a smaller degree)...You'll need time to relax the other sides and get them as soft as the line of least-resistance...So aim to rotate the whip around as and when you can...With Nylon I'd not expect a long period would be needed, since it's already softer than leather..But yeah, until it's been used a touch, you'll have one angle that feels "right", and several that feel "off" somehow.....How much that changes your cracks noise depends on you I think...
As for new techniques, I learnt a lot from watching Adam Winrich on youtube...

www.youtube.com/user/AdamCWM

Man's an amazingly skilled artist, and explains it all easily too...Or try a search for a personal friend of mine, Daren Wilkerson

www.youtube.com/user/flicky76

Either of those gentlemen's videos are easy to follow and cool to inspire...

[fifthchamber]

(Well chosen Niagra...Hehe)

[classicbullwhips]

Hey Strikeomen,

First Congratulations on your first whip purchase and getting into the sport of whip cracking, it defiantly is a fun and addicting hobby. As for your whip cracking better when it is in a certain position this could possibly be a few different things. You did say you were new to cracking and it could possibly be the technique you are using, but for some reason I feel this is not the case.(once you learn what works best you tend to stick with it) Most likely it is the way you are cracking the "whip" either with or against the natural curve(this is usually more noticeable in natural hide whips). How you can generally find the natural curve of a bullwhip is hold the whip with the heal knot in your palm (like a ball joint) next lift your arm and whip so they are 90 degrees to your body. With your arm in this position palm up, turn you wrist (palm now facing down) so a loop forms on the outside near your wrist. The natural curve of the whip should form a tighter/more natural loose coil. My guess is that you are first cracking the whip against the natural curve (the loop is not forming as fast and sometime may not crack), when you turn the whip in your hand you are then cracking with the whips natural curve (forming the loop faster). Don't worry, you can crack the whip either with or against the natural curve, for some it is personal preference. One thing that I always question about nylon whips is where you ordered it from, some nylon whips can take on a noodle like feel and look right off the handle to thong transition making it hard to crack. As for learning new techniques you can find a lot of helpful videos on YouTube. Let me know if you have any questions or if I was unclear about anything.

Keep Crackin,
James
classicbullwhips.com

[kwad]

Every whip will develop a natural curve and will want to roll out following that curve. You'll notice it when you go to coil the whip up. You want to crack the whip so that it rolls out with the natural curve, instead of against it.

This is why the whip is easier to crack in one position.

When doing the cattleman's crack, try holding the whip so that the when your arm is fully extended with the whip in front of you, it will be curving upwards from the handle. In this position, the whip will form a loop that will travel down towards the tip until it cracks.


Here's a picture showing what I'm talking about...


If I was to rotate the whip 180 degrees in my hand, the loop would want to be on the bottom and I would be throwing the whip against its natural, springy curve. This would cause the whip to make more of an S curve when doing the cattleman. It will crack like that, but, I find it more difficult and harder to control.

As a whip settles in, it will loose some of that springiness and will be more forgiving of the way it's held. However, if you stick to cracking with the curve, you'll never go wrong.

For tutorials, Youtube is your friend. Check out videos by Adam Winrich and a guy that goes by the handle flicky76 (a student of DeLongis, fellow gearhead and all around great guy)

Edit: I was cookin' up some steaks when I began writing this and did not see the above replies. Sorry for repeating what has already been said.

[classicbullwhips]

Hey Kwad,

Great that you posted a picture of what we all are talking about, visual items are always helpful. I also will recommend Daren Wilkerson AKA flicky76 on You Tube, Daren is a great guy and I feel privileged to personally know him.

Keep Crackin,
James
classicbullwhips.com

[niagrawhipco]

He is a really nice guy. I talked with him though YouTube and my own technique has improved greatly by watching his videos.

[kwad]

Hey James,

Daren really is a great guy and simply amazing with a whip.
Hopefully I'll get to see both him and you again this November at Fort Mac.

-Kevin

[strikeomen]

Thanks for the help guys. I am now watching all I can on youtube. I have seen some Adam Winrich videos and can now do a fairly well over head crack. Oh and answering classicbullwhips post my frist whip is one of yours

[jeremym]

Someone may have mentioned this, but two things.

One, the whip has a side it likes to coil best, a natural bend. This will decrease with time.

Two, you should crack the whip in the line with the seams, where the plaiting crosses over itself. Never try to crack with the whip flowing in between the seams because the way plaiting works, a whip will want to flow withe the seam.

[strikeomen]

Ok so I was cracking my 8ft whip in the garden when after one quite big crack my ears started to ring. Is this normal? I am guessing its not good as well.

[jeremym]

You mean is it normal for your ears you ring? Yeah if the crack is loud enough. It would probably be a good idea to wear some kind of hearing protection. I don't but I should

[strikeomen]

Ok maybe I should have phrased it a bit better lol.

[jeremym]

There are also certain cracks that make your ears ring more because they're closer to you. When the overhead crack is done with proper for, it tends to because it over and just in front of you. The coachman's crack, when done so that it's right next to you ( there are variations that cause it to crack at different angles and thus, other areas ) makes your ear ring because it cracks nearly right next to your head ( a little behind and under but closer than with most cracks ).

I hope you're enjoying whip cracking