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.

Finished Six Whips

I finished the six whips, and my hands are sore! They came out great, here are the stock whips:

stock whip

And here’s all six of the whips:

stock whip and bull whips

It always amazes me how much time is saves to make things production line style. Cutting out three of every thing at the same time and doing the same physical action three times in a row really make a project like this go quickly.

-Louie

Six Whips!

I’ve got six whips to make, three stock whips and three bullwhips. All of them are going to be made from veg tanned drum stuffed kangaroo in natural tan color.

The three bullwhips are going to be more labor than the stockwhips, so I’m getting started on those first.

Hoping to bust my butt and get all six whips done in a couple of days.
-Louie