Redhide Bullwhip Falls

Today I’m cutting out a small batch of redhide falls

redhide bullwhip fall
work

Whenever I cut out falls, I do more than one as doing multiple isn’t much more work. I cut them out, but leave them attached at the narrow end. I first hang them by the narrow end and pare the top left and bottom right corners. Then I cut the end off so they are all separate and hang them from the wide end. I then pare the top left and bottom right corners, to “knock off” all the corners.

I came up with this technique for another whip maker whose paring abilities to do the top right and bottom left weren’t as good at their top left and bottom right skills. While I can do it both ways, I still pare mine this way.

-Louie

Signal Whip

I’m working on a 12 plait three tone signal whip!

single tail signal whip

This single tail whip has a removable/replaceable cracker

single tail signal whip

The end of the whip h as a 4 plait point that’s back braided on itself to form a loop for the cracker. You could also put in a slapper to make it like a quirt.

All that’s left is to put the knot on the handle.

-Louie

6 Foot Bullwhip!

I love coming across whips while I travel around performing. Here’s a whip that belongs to Scotty and Katrine. They got it 20+ years ago from Western Stage Props and it was probably made by Joe Strain.

bullwhip 6 foot 12 plait

This bullwhip is 6 feet and made in 12 plait kangaroo. When people say that whips are expensive, I tell them a well made whip will last decades and poorly made one will last a year or two. That’s the huge difference, in the long run, cheap whips will cost you more.

Veg Tanned Kangaroo!

One of the nice things about living in the Seattle area is that I can visit the crew up at David Morgan!

They are my main source for the veg tanned, drum stuffed kangaroo that I use for my whips. The cool thing is that they let me dig through their stock, so I can find exactly what I need for the whip I’m planning on making!

If you ever get a chance to swing by their shop, the “shop bullwhip” is one of the best looking Indiana Jones style bullwhip I’ve ever seen!

It makes sense that their Indy Bullwhip is amazing as David made them for the movies.

-Louie

Bull whip Repair

Here’s a swivel handled bullwhip that recently came in for a repair. The first thing is needed was to have some Pecard Leather Dressing put on it as it was pretty dry. Once the bullwhip had drank that up, I could start to deal with the reason it was sent it, it needed a new point and fall.

I also n0ticed that the heel knot was non-existent and it was just the knot foundation leather, so I got the OK from the owner to replace that as well.

Here’s the whip with the new fall hitch and redhide fall attached:

And finally here’s the bullwhip with the new heel knot:

This whip just needed a little bit of love (aka maintenance) and it’s back out there cracking!

-Louie