Here’s another signal whip that I made the other day:
This one has a loop on the end to make the cracker easily replaceable.
This signal whip is available on my IN STOCK whips page. I think I may pick up some more black kangaroo and make some more of these signal whips.
Louie
http://bullwhips.org
Right now I’m working on a six foot 12 plait bullwhip in natural tan kangaroo. I had some natural tan in stock, so I didn’t need to drive up to David Morgan to pick up a kangaroo skin. I’m using a 57dm skin, however I also found a belly that I had cut out a while ago for something else, but for whatever reason didn’t use in black kangaroo. Since this will be in the inside of the whip you won’t see it.
Currently I have both bellies and bolsters finished.
Next up is to put some lead on for the knot foundation on get to work on the overlay.
People always ask how I can cut out the overlay before I’ve got the inner layers finished. It’s pretty simple, I know about what the strand widths should be and cut them a smidge wider than that. I then will resize them once the inner layers are finished.
On the surface it sounds like it’s more work than cutting it later, however it actually saves me time. By doing all of one task at the same time (i.e. strand cutting) it saves time in set up and clean up. Regardless of what point I cut the strands they still need to pared which also accomplishes the resizing.
The more I make whips, the more I’m looking for ways to save time…not cut corners, but to save time by eliminating steps that are duplicate, like sweeping the floor twice or putting away the leather only to take it back out an hour later. While these are small amounts of time, when you add them all up they can add up to a decent chunk of time.
Louie
http://bullwhips.org
Yesterday I got some braiding done and cut out some of the lace for the whips. Here’s a couple of overlays and an inner and out belly:
I’m always amazed at how fast the inner layers of the whip get made, it’s the final layer that takes all the time, especially when I already have the bolsters cut out.
Louie
http://bullwhips.org
I just got started working on some bullwhips and some stockwhips. I didn’t have enough kangaroo skins for the order, so I headed up to David Morgan to pick up some kangaroo:
I picked up a dozen kangaroo skins for the whips. I got started on the bullwhips by making the cores (and plaiting one belly):
I’ve already got all the bolsters cut out. The next step is to get work on the cutting out the braided parts.
For larger orders like this to save time I try to work “production line” style. Trying to do all of one thing for all the whips at the same time. So I’ll cut out all the cores at the same time. Then I’ll attach them all at the same time. It saves a lot of time and mentally if I’m in a groove, I don’t get out of it by switching mental gears to another task.
Louie
http://bullwhips.org
I’m working on a six foot bullwhip. This will be an 8 plait kangaroo whip. It’s got a 4 foot 8 plait bullwhip to go with it. Here’s the inner belly:
Here’s it with a bolster on it:
This whip should be finished very soon and will ship out with the 4 foot whip when it’s done.
Louie
http://bullwhips.org
Here’s a bullwhip that’s 8 feet long with a 12 plait two tone overlay:
I’ve been working on this bullwhip off and on for a little bit. It’s an order for a friend of mine that needed it mid-January, so I worked on it in between other projects.
It’s been a while since I’ve done a two tone whip with a plaited pattern. It was fun to do!
It’s shipping out today, almost a month ahead of schedule!
Louie
http://bullwhips.org
Here’s a 4 1/2 foot bullwhip that I finished making a long time ago, but haven’t listed for sale until now. I was going to make it as part of a pair of whips, but never got around to making it’s match, so I’m selling it as a single whip.
This bullwhip is normally $325, however I’m offering a Holiday Speical Price on it. Right now you can get $25 discount on it, so it’s only $300 (with worldwide shipping included!). To order it visit the IN STOCK whips page.
Order it for delivery in the USA before 12/20/16 and according to the USPS it will arrive by Christmas!
Louie
http://bullwhips.org
I took a quick break from working on the 8 foot bullwhip to make a 4 foot 12 plait bullwhip. This bullwhip will be in black kangaroo. Here’s the skin:
and here’s the skin after it was trimmed:
Here’s the finished whip, it’s shipped out to its new owner.
Also with tomorrow being Thanksgiving, I should say there it still time to order a whip for Christmas. Currently if you get the order in before 12/10/16 it will arrive by Christmas.
Louie
http://bullwhips.org
Right now I’m working on an 8 foot two tone bullwhip. It’s going to be a 12 plait whip in red and natural tan kangaroo.
I cut six strands out of each kangaroo skin for the overlay:
Then I did all the strand prep (stretching, paring, etc)
These are now ready for braiding which will start today!
Louie
http://bullwhips.org
I was just up at David Morgan and picked up some of the Whiskey Kangaroo that they are now selling. I got two skins for a braiding project:
I think them mentioned I was the first person to buy the kangaroo in that color since they started selling it. I think it’s great they are selling another color!
Louie