Bullwhips – Handmade by Louie

Here’s an 8 foot bullwhip that I made being used by James Maxwell:

Louie
http://bullwhips.org

Tonight I finished an 8 foot 4 plait budget bullwhip:

This bullwhip is available on my IN STOCK whips page.

I’m intentionally not putting a top knot on this bullwhip, I kinda like the look of this bullwhip without one.  Next I need to do the knots on a 4.5 foot 12 plait kangaroo bullwhip…

Louie
http://bullwhips.org

So this doesn’t specifically have a lot to do about being a sport bullwhip cracker or maker, but it does have a lot to do with being a bullwhip performer.  I was just reviewing my schedule for next month and I’m doing a show with one of my hero’s and someone that was very influential in me growing as a performer.

I’m doing a show with a magician named Mike Caveney, and I saw him in a show when I was 17 years old in Minnesota.  He performs a lot of magic tricks, but he also does a ton of variety or specialty type acts.  He’s the guy the really opened my eyes to see that a magician can perform more than just magic tricks!

I’m doing a show with him at the end of April in Oregon and I’m very excited.

A wise person (my brother) once told me that growing up is all about doing the things you wanted to do as a kid.  As an “kid” the thing I’ve always wanted to do is perform on the same bill as the people that I’ve looked up to.  I’ve been lucky enough to perform with  guys like: Michael Winslow, Dave Attel, Louis Black and Mitch Headburg…but the list of magicians that I’ve looked up to and have gotten to share the bill with aren’t that many.  So checking Mike Caveney off my list will be exciting for me!

Louie
http://bullwhips.org

Two days ago I finished the overlay of a 12 plait bullwhip that’s 4 1/2 feet long.

I did the overly in two tone, but had the red end about 2/3’s or the way down the whip’s thong.  That gives the whip an interesting look…I’m not sure how much I like this look, but it’s different.  Maybe it will grow on me?

Yesterday I was cleaning up and organizing my “workshop”…over time it’s become cluttered.  Today I banged out everything except for the knots of an 8 foot 4 plait cowhide bullwhip:

I won’t have time to do the knots on either whip until Tuesday.

Louie

http://bullwhips.org

I had some time to kill today between shows, and tied my first Box Pattern Turkshead:

On this road trip I brought a copy of the Little Snake by Ron Edwards:

This book had the pattern for a Box Turkshead.  Ron’s books are great…the only thing I don’t like is that he has soo much overlap between books, that I really don’t like buying them because I already have 20% of each book in another book.

Louie
http://bullwhips.org

Here’s  a bullwhip that they had at the Tandy Leather Factory in Boise, Idaho:

It’s an 8 plait bullwhip.

Louie
http://bullwhips.org

Yesterday while driving from Kennewick, WA to Boise, ID I stopped in Pendleton Oregon.  A long time ago Joe Strain had shown me pictures of some braided rawhide that they had on display at Hamley’s (a western store and a steakhouse).

I took some pictures with my cellphone camera, so they aren’t very good:

If I remember correctly the rawhide was plaited by a guy named Timothy George.

Louie
http://bullwhips.org
P.S. I’m still on the road untiil 3/5.

Sorry I haven’t posted much lately, I’ve been very busy performing lately.  Also I want to give you all a heads up that I’ll be on the road from 3/1 to 3/5 performing in Eastern WA, and Southern ID, so if you email or call me during that time, don’t expect to hear back from me until I’m home.

One of the things that has had me very busy lately is finishing the writing of my new summer show that I’ll be doing at libraries across Washington, Oregon and Idaho this summer.  For the last couple of weeks and for a lot of next week I’ll be breaking in the show.  Getting a new show ready is a lot of work!

Louie

Yesterday I made a 10 foot 4 plait cowhide bullwhip.  I was messing around with the design and it came out a bit lighter than what I personally (but still cracks fine).

This bullwhip is for sale on my IN STOCK whips page.  I’m planning on making some more 4 plait cowhide bullwhips soon, but going back to my slightly heavier design.  Honestly I don’t know when I’ll have a chance to work on them since I’ll be on the road  for most of next week.

Maybe I’ll bring a couple of hides and start cut out all the strands…

Louie

http://bullwhips.org

Here are a couple pictures of the 5 foot bullwhip that I shipped to Canada on Monday:

The last couple of days I’ve been working on some projects that aren’t whips.  I’ve been trying to think of ways to use a lot of my scrap kangaroo (instead of throwing it away).  I’ve been learning to hand stitch the kangaroo into little coin purses and other small little containers.  I’ve mainly been giving these to friends, it’s a good way to use my scrap kangaroo.

Louie
http://bullwhips.org