Cost || Length
|| Plaits || Whip Makers ||
Nylon || Red Hide || Latigo
Stockwhips || Snakewhips
|| Signalwhips
A number of people have asked me some good questions about purchasing their first whip. Someone suggested I put this information up on the site. I won't go into much detail here, but instead give it to you in a nutshell. This way, you can get start right away on purchasing your new pride & joy. If you wish to delve more deeply into into these matters, consult the excellent Bullwhip FAQ.)
Cost: Although it's not necessary to spend a fortune, a well made bullwhip represents a bit of an investment. All things considered, you should expect to spend somewhere in the range of US$175-350. Keep in mind that whips are handmade items, made from kangaroo hide. It takes years to become an accomplished whip maker. Whipmaking is time consuming and takes a considerable expense of energy. You are buying a unique, quality product. Take good care of your whip and it will last a lifetime.
Length: I'd suggest a 6 or 8 foot whip. Whips longer than 8 feet will be harder to control and accuracy might be a problem. On the other hand, a whip shorter than 6 feet tends to have a fast action and might be difficult to crack. Most authorities agree that a whip in the 6-8 foot range is a good place to start. .
This is a good time to think about the place where you will practice A 6 foot whip will require a circle of clearance around you (called a "safety zone") with approximately a 20 foot diameter. An 8 foot will require about 25 feet! If you are going to be cracking mostly indoors, a 6 foot will be easier to deal with.
One thing that might confuse you is how whips are measured. If you are not clear about this, you may end-up with a whip that is the wrong length. For bullwhips, Australians determine length from the butt end of the handle all the way to the tip of the thong. The fall is not included. American whip makers, on the other hand, include the length of the fall in total whip length Since a fall can be two feet long, this can mean a significant difference! My impression has been that the Australian tradition of measurement is becoming more widely accepted. Important: Be absolutely sure of this when ordering your whip! Ask the whip maker how he or she measures their whips. In my recommendation of a 6-8 foot whip, I am not counting the length of the fall.
Plaits: You probably have already encountered the term "plaits". Plait is the Australian word for braid. The more plaits, the more braiding goes into the construction of the whip. Your first bullwhip should be either 12 or 16 plait. More labor and leather goes into the construction of a 16 plait whip, so they are usually a bit more expensive. (If you have decided on a 8 foot whip, getting it in 12 plait will save some money.) There's disagreement regarding the pros and cons of higher verses lower plait numbers. Conventional wisdom holds that leather of a 12 plait whip is cut thicker and wider than a 16 plait; so it will be more forgiving of outdoor conditions, where you might accidentally hit hard objects such as rocks. In addition, 12 plaits are suppose to be easier to clean, helping you to keep dirt out of your whip. (Dirt and grit can wear away at the plaits, causing premature failure.)
Some have claimed that a 16 plait whip can be more accurate than a 12 plait. In addition, most people consider a well crafted 16 plait whip as a thing of beauty. But since the plaits are cut finer and thinner than those in a 12, they are more prone to damage. Not only are they harder to clean, but dirt getting into a 16 plait will wear through the whip sooner than a 12 pliat. Because of these factors, some people suggest 16 plait whips be used mostly indoors.
In my opinion, what's more important than plait count is the skill of the whip maker. The internal construction of the whip has a great deal to do with how the whip performs. I've encountered a number of 12 plait whips cut as finely as 16. Some of my 12 plait whips are easy to clean, while others need more work. If a whip is well made and the plaiting is tight, dirt should not easily find its way inside. In addition, I know many people who will not hesitate to use their 16 plait whips outdoors. As far as worrying about accuracy, most experts agree there is not much difference between a 12 or 16.
Whip makers: There are a number of fine whip makers. Here are a few that come highly recommended:
Mike Murphy (Murphywhips, Australia)
EM Brand Whips (Bernie Wojcicki,
Tasmania AU)
Joe Strain (Northern Whip Company,
USA)
SKT Bush Leather ("ESKAYTEE",
Australia)
Peter Jack ("The Whip
Man", New Zealand)
Some other great whip makers (who don't have web pages but can be reached by email) can be found on the Australian Whip Plaiters Association's "whip makers" page.
Western Stage Props also sells whips made by some noted whip makers, such as Russell Schultz, Joe Strain (who makes an "Indy style" bullwhip for them), Janine Fraser, and Fiona Wilks.
David Morgan sells a whip called "The Australian Bullwhip", made by the Australian, Terry Jacka. This is a fantastic whip for beginners. Although it's in the upper price range, (the 6 foot is $320 and 8 is $345), Mr. Morgan keeps them in stock and you'll have your whip a few days after ordering.
You may already know that Morgan is the originator of the "Indian Jones" whips. They are tough, heavy whips which stand up to abuse. One great whip maker described them as "honest whips". The plaits of these whips are thick and strong. This is great if you intend to be whipping in rough environments with lots of dirt or rocks. And they make a THUNDEROUS crack! Unfortunately, they are out of the price range stated above, going for US$400-700. (In certain circles, a pernicious rumor has been going around that David Morgan is deceased. This is completely untrue. Mr. Morgan is alive and well and considered by many to be at the top of his game.)
If you purchase from any one of these people, no matter the length or plait, you will have quality item from a well respected whip maker. Keep in mind that each whip maker has their own way of doing things and considers his or her techniques to be the proper way. Most whip makers don't keep whips in stock--they are made to order. It usually takes 2-8 weeks before you get your whip.
Nylon whips: Nylon whips are growing in popularity. Besides being cheaper than leather whips (about US$100 for a 6-8 foot bullwhip), they are great if you are whipping in wet or muddy conditions. They can be easily cleaned with soap and water. There are several nylon whip makers. Basswhips, and Rhett Kelly, are two good suppliers.
Red Hide Whips: Red hide whips are made from cow hide. In 6-8 foot they range in price from US$100-200. They are available in 8 or 12 plait. EM Brand Whips offers a beautiful red hide whip.
Latigo Whips: Swivel handle Latigo whips were traditionally used by Cowboys, who loved to spin the whip over their heads. If you just want to test the waters and experience what whip cracking is about, you might consider one of these whips. They can be purchased from Western Stage Props. The 6 foot is only about $70, the 8 about $80. (This is as inexpensive as you will want to go. Whips in the US$10-30 range that you see in novelty shows are just that--novelties. They are meant for wall hanging and not whipcracking.)
Stockwhips: Stock whips are fantastic whips! As the bullwhip is the traditional whip of the USA, the Stockwhip is the foundation of the Australian tradition. Many people find stockwhips easier to crack than bullwhips. If you want to want a stockwhip as your first whip, choose one 5-6 feet long. (The handle, about 20" long, is not included in the total length).
Snakewhips: Snake whips are interesting whips. They are also called "blacksnakes" and "shot whips". Many people are fond of them (I sure like them). But for a beginner, they are a bit hard to master. If you are interested in owning one, I would suggest you first gain some experience with a bullwhip or stockwhip.
Signalwhips: These are the whips that most interested people in the North East think of when they hear the term "single tail". Many people have their first exposure to the art of whips through these whips. They are popular with the "adult" or "indoor" whip folks. These are the first whips that I learned to use and they hold a special place in my heart. They are short (3-4 feet) which helps with accuracy. But they don't crack very well (or do so softly). On the other hand, if your whip use is going to be confined to the adult/indoor scene, a signal whip is the safest bet.