Today I’ve finished the overlay and knots on this bullwhip:
Here’s a close up of the knots:
I still need to shellac it and roll it a couple more times before I ship it out to its new owner.
Louie
http://bullwhips.org
Tag: whip
Short Bullwhip
My current project is working on a 4 1/2 foot bullwhip with a 12 inch handle. I’m using a 57 dm veg tanned drum stuffed kangaroo skin that I got from David Morgan:
This bullwhip will have a core, plaited belly, two bolsters and a 12 plait overlay. Here’s the first bolster sitting on the plaited belly:
And here’s the bolster after it has been tied onto the belly:
I then attached the 2nd bolster (not pictured) and cut out the 12 plait overlay:
Tomorrow I’ll get onto plaiting the overlay.
Louie
http://bullwhips.org
Crackers
I’m cleaning out my shop and I found a roll of nylon that was almost finished. I didn’t make sense to have the whole roll kicking around that only had enough nylon for about 10 crackers, so I made the crackers.
Crackers are something that it always feels like I’m out, so it’s probably a good thing to have some kicking around.
Louie
http://bullwhips.org
Finishing Up Some Projects
I figured I should finish up some projects that I started a long time ago. I’ve got a 4 foot two tone bullwhip where I made the insides and cut out the overlay probably a year ago.
I’m finally getting to work on finishing it. I finished up plaiting the overlay.
No hopefully it won’t sit for another year before I put the knot on it!
Louie
http://bullwhips.org
Beginner’s Bullwhip
I’ve got another Beginner’s Bullwhip in the works.
These whips have a plaited belly and a 4 plait cowhide overlay. They are designed for someone who wants to try out whip cracking without investing in a kangaroo whip. I’ll finish this whip up when I have some more free time and I’ll list in on my IN STOCK whips page.
Louie
http://bullwhips.org
Stock Whip Kit
Here’s a Make Your Own Stock Whip Kit that I just sent out:
I know I keep saying this, I don’t know how much longer I’m going to offer these. I don’t make a ton of money on them, and they are lot of work for what I charge for them. I’d almost rather charge a few bucks more and make the whip. The fun part is assembling the whip, not cutting out the leather!
Louie
http://bullwhips.org
Nylon Crackers…
Today I noticed I was out of crackers, so I went out and made a few:
If you need any crackers you can find them on my Whip Accessories page.
Louie
http://bullwhips.org
Making a Six Foot Bullwhip
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
Cutting Leather…
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
Honesty in Condition of Whips for Sale…
Recently this ad for bullwhip someone is trying to sell crossed my path:
Vintage Braided Leather Bullwhip – $25 (Madison)
Vintage Braided Leather Bullwhip
Great Condition, A little wear
60″ Long
This was a Craigslist ad (view it here) and I’m hoping the person has never seen a whip before in their life if they think it’s in “Great Condition” and that the end being blown off is “A little wear”.
However the plus side is that it’s only $25 bucks. If it was in my local area, I’d probably try to get it for $15 – $20 and take it apart to see how it was built. There’s probably no surprises in there, but I’d drop $20 on it as a learning experience.
Louie
http://bullwhips.org