Best Bullwhips

[rustified]

Hi everyone.  I have just been accepted onto the site.  I have been an Indy fan since childhood, and finally have the means with which to indulge my fantasy of owning and learning how to use a bullwhip.

I have looked around a bit and mulled over some vendors who seem to be at the top of everyone's list and despite the whip not being roo, i've settled on obtaining a Crease and Corral bullwhip from Dusty.  Problem is they are all so exquisite I don't know which one to pick!  Anyway I was hoping if anyone here may have owned a cowhide whip may be able to answer this question.  If a cowhide whip is well looked after and maintained, is there any reason why it shouldn't last as long as a Kangaroo one? I am only asking as this is a big investment for me and I want to get this right.

Cheers

[niagrawhipco]

A well made cowhide bullwhip will last just as long as a well made kangaroo hide bullwhip. What will make it last depends on you. As long as you are diligent to take good care of it, meaning don't crack it on gravel, sand, or rough ground and only on soft clean grass, or smooth flooring. It also means you allow it to dry naturally (not near a heater or with a hair dryer) if it gets wet and recondition once it's completely dry. I owned an 8 plait 8 foot cowhide Bernardo Del Carpio bullwhip that I purchased from Western Stage Props back in 2007 or 2008 and it was just as well made as any kangaroo whip I've ever owned.

I've never personally owned a Crease and Corral bullwhip before, but I know they are very highly sought after. In all, as long as you take good care of your whip and don't abuse or neglect it there is no reason it shouldn't last a lifetime regardless of whether it is made of cowhide or roo.

[rustified]

Thanks for the reply Niagrawhipco. I have spoke with a few people including Dusty, and their replies concur with yours. Dusty further explained that the cowhide vs roo leather issue has more to do with when you are making the whip, as opposed to using it.
After committing myself to some research and speaking with various people in the know, I came to the conclusion of buying a 6ft Karaka synthetic whip to learn and practice whip craft with, and just now purchased one of Dusty's fine 8ft Crease 'n' Crusader cowhide bullwhips with the belt holder. So I have a few months to hopefully nail some of the basics before this fine item arrives!
It was a really hard choice. I loved the look of the Temple Of Doom whip, but eventually settled on the crusader.

[niagrawhipco]

I think you'll find it (as many whip cracking enthusiasts like myself do) to be quite an addicting hobby. I know there are a lot of Indiana Jones fans who only have a whip to complete their costume, but honestly they are really missing out because it is really really fun!

I think you'll be quite pleased with your purchases and I think you made the right choice to start with a synthetic whip to start and learn the basics. Best of luck and keep us updated on your progress.

[rustified]

Thanks buddy I appreciate that.
I know what you mean! From the first time I cracked my synthetic whip, I was hooked!
For now I am trying to obtain form through finesse rather than brute force cracking. It requires more patience, but every time I sense improvement it is satisfying, and motivates me to keep practicing until I have to force myself to stop in case I kill my arm lol
I've been watching Whip Basics shorts by Robby Amper on You Tube, and about to purchase his dvd set. He's a really great guy.
Nowhere near mastered, but i'm starting to feel confident with the cattleman's, and horizontal crack. Once I feel a bit more comfortable I will move onto the reverse cattleman's and maybe slow figure 8's after that.
I'm really looking forward to getting this whip from Dusty. I need to stop torturing myself by repeatedly viewing it on his page!

Take care all.

[niagrawhipco]

Robby Amper is a good whip coach. I would also recommend Anthony DeLongis, Adam Winrich, and Daren Wilkerson, all of whom you can find on YouTube and who I learned from by watching repeatedly and practicing, practicing, practicing.

I myself have a Bernardo Del Carpio whip on it's way to me and I'm excited to get it. It was a long seven month wait for it but I know it will all be worth it when it arrives.

I'm no whip coach but I do have a few videos on YouTube. This one may be of interest to you just to see what Terry Jacka and David Morgan whips look like in action:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmbLHd87T54

Since I shot this video a few summers ago I've broken in my David Morgan and I've really come to love it. It was a huge transition for me having used mostly Jacka whips up until that point.