I just put the knots on this 8 plait cowhide bullwhip with the rawhide core and took it outside and did some test cracks with it.  I kinda like the rawhide core in the bullwhip.  It really makes the whip lively.  The whip did the basic cracks (forward, sidearm, volleys) very easily. 

This whips guts are:

• Rawhide core
• platied belly
• 8 plait overlay

I’m naming this bullwhip the Cheap-o Deluxe Bullwhip.  I think the rawhide core gives it a much better feeling than a leather core, but it’s still made on the cheap (compared to the construction of my kangaroo bullwhips). 

This bullwhips measurements are:

• Handle: 8 inches
• Thong: 4 foot 3 inches
• Total: 4 foot 11 inches (butt of the handle to the fall hitch)

Louie

click here to order the Cheap-o Deluxe Bullwhip!

Somehow I’ve forgotten to put the final knots an a bullwhip that I started a few weeks ago.  It’s a cowhide bullwhip, but this was an “experimental” bullwhip with a rawhide core.  It’s finished except for the knots and a good board rolling.  I’ll take pictures of it when I get it finished (probably later today). 

Louie

www.bullwhips.org

My current project is a long handled bullwhip.  This one is my test one to see how it turns out.  Ideally I’d like to make a pair once of these for myself.  But before I do a pair, I’m going to see how the first one turns out. 

This one is going to have three plaited bellies and no bolsters.  This is my test whip for this contruction as well.  Normally I do bullwhips differently. If this one turns out alright, I’ll make the pair like it…but if it doesn’t, then I’ll do the pair how I normally do. 

Louie

http://bullwhips.org/bullwhip_store

If you are in the area (Western Washington State), I’ll be performing 6/29 and 6/30 at the Taste of Tacoma.  They are having me in thier “comedy club” which is 21 and up (no kids).  In my show I’ll be doing some magic, comedy and whip cracking. 

Showtimes for me are 6/29/07 at 5pm and 6/30 at 7pm.

In the show I’ll be using three bullwhips.  I’ll be using my 4 foot whip made by Paul Nolan, a 4 foot bullwhip made by me and my 6 foot bullwhip from David Morgan. If you make it out, say hi to me after the gig.

Louie

http://bullwhips.org

Most of the bullwhips that I have made are the Indy Style bullwhips with an 8 inch handle.  My next/current project is making a longer handled bullwhip.  The bull whip that I just started has a 12 inch handle.  We’ll see how it turns out.  I’m planning on having it be about 7 feet long. 

With any luck it will turn out a bit like the one Mike Murphy uses on his “No Bull Whipcracking” DVD.

Louie

http://bullwhips.org

I got the knot tied on the butt of this snake whip and did some test cracking and I’m calling it finished!!  This whip measures 7 feet 3 inches from the butt of the whip to the fall hitch.  This snakewhip is shot loaded and fairly heavy, it’s also made from kip leather.

I was excited to give it some test cracks.  It did forward cracks, side arms, volleys pretty easily.  It moves much slower and takes more power to crack than what I’m used to, but it was fun. 

If you don’t know the difference between a snake whip and a bullwhip, it’s the handle.  A snakewhip has a flexible handle and a bullwhip has a rigid handle. 

I’ve listed this whip on ebay, you can view the auction by clicking the link below:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170126450749

I’m very proud with how well this whip turned out!  It was my first attempt at a snake whip, it could be better…but it was much better than I expected!!

Have a great day!

Louie

http://bullwhips.org

Today I finished the plaiting on the snake whip that I’ve been working on and attached the fall to it.   I still need to give it a good board roll and do the knots.  I’m not sure if I’m going to do a wriststrap on this whip or not. 

I’m excited to give this snake whip a few test cracks.  I haven’t really used a snake whip before and I’m curious how well it will crack. 

I like the overall taper to this snake whip it’s nice and smooth.  Also I’m happy with the width’s of the strands and their taper. 

Louie

P.S. I’ve listed the 7.5 foot bullwhip that I finished a few days ago on ebay!

I just realised that I don’t really have my contact info on this site.

You can contact me via mail or email. 

Click here to email me!

To write me via the mail use the address below:

Louie Foxx
PO Box 3447
Kent, WA 98089

Someone emailed me recently to ask me the difference between and American Bullwhip and an Australian Bullwhip.  I’ve never found a source that laid out the differences between the two.  Now here’s what I’ve figured out from many different books, DVD’s and websites:

Australian Bullwhip:

• Measured from the butt of the handle to the fall keeper
• Uses a longer thinner fall (that is removable)
• Longer handle
• Lighter handle (ususally made of a thin piece of metal)
• Made from kangaroo
• Usually ends at the fall hitch as an 8 plait

 American Bullwhip:

• Measured from the butt  of the handle to the end of the fall
• Usually has a wider, shorter fall that isn’t removable
• Shorter handle
• Heavier handle (usually a spike)
• Usually ends at the fall hitch as a 6 plait

Those are some of the main differences that I’ve noticed.  However the Indy Style whip that David Morgan popularised is a hybrid bullwhip.  With the long thin aussie style fall, but has the shorter, heavier handle. 

If you know of any other differences, or where I’m wrong let me know.

Louie

So my little experiment with this snakewhip is coming along nicely.  This morning I cut out and pared the 12 plait overlay (kip). 

I’ve noticed that I have really gotten much faster at cutting out the overlays for these whips.  Also my paring has gotten much faster.  I’m still refining my freehand cutting and this whip is 100% freehand.  I think that giving up my strand cutting is starting to take.

This morning before I left to do my shows for the day, I had about 18 inches of this snakewhip plaited (pictured above).  This evening I have about 5 feet of it finished (pictured below). 

So far I’m very happy with how this whip has turned out.  It’s got a nice taper to it, and the strands are wide and it give it a bit of an “indy” look.  I tapered the strands just right so far since I haven’t really had any gap issues. 

Hopefully I can get this whip finished by tomorrow when I have to leave for Ocean Shores to do a gig.  If I get it done I can take it to a park down there and give it some test cracking.

Louie

http://bullwhips.org