Whips come in many different styles, lengths, and colors. These attributes are chosen to suite the purpose for which the whip will be used and the personal style of the owner. Many features of a whip can be personalized:
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Whip Length:
The length of the whip will determine how quickly the whip can be cracked and the
amount of room needed to crack it. The length of a bullwhip is measured from the
end of the handle to the end of the braided portion of the thong (this does NOT
include the fall or cracker length).
Longer whips (10 feet or more) require more time in between cracks to properly
position the whip for subsequent cracks. As a result, long whips tend to "flow"
more than shorter whips and are very graceful when moving from one crack to
another. They have a slower speed to them as a result of their length and are more
difficult to keep off the ground. Long whips are perfect for wraps (i.e. wrapping
the end of the whip around objects when cracking) and produce a loud deep crack.
Aesthetically speaking, longer whips look very attractive when coiled, as their
extra length produces more loops in the thong. For point of reference, in the
Indiana Jones movies the close up shots of Indy's whip when attached to his belt,
coiled in his hand, or sitting coiled on a table or in a suit case were 10 feet
in length. The longer length of the whip gave it a thicker more dramatic look.
During action sequences where Indy was using his whip against attackers, an 8 foot
whip was used, as this length was more manageable and faster when moving between
cracks.
Shorter whips (8 feet and less) are very fast and allow the whip cracker to move quickly between different cracks. As a result, they are perfect for complex cracking routines and fast volleys. They produce a sharp loud crack and are easier to keep off the ground than longer whips. They are excellent for target cutting, as their shorter length is easier to control. Obviously, they also require less physical space in which to safely crack and are preferred by those who do not have large open areas available to them. Short whips are commonly used indoors by performers who are constrained by the physical limitations of a stage and by those who live in wet or cold climates who frequently crack inside to stay out of the elements.
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Overlay Plait Count:
This refers to the number of kangaroo strands that are used when plaiting
(pronounce "plat-ing" - it means to braid) the final layer of leather, the overlay,
of the whip.
This is the visible and most decorative layer of the whip and has an
infinite number of possible variations in plaiting patterns and colors. As the
number of strands in the overlay increases, more patterns are possible and the
pitch, or resolution, of those patterns gets clearer. At higher plait counts,
distinct letters can even be plaited into a whip handle or thong and the patterns
(referred to as "ring work" due to the circular ring shapes they produce around
the whip) are very sharp and detailed.
The complexity of plaiting the overlay of a whip increases dramatically as the
number of strands is increased. Not only is there a greater number of strands to
keep organized when plaiting them into place but the width of those strands gets
shorter to allow each to fit tightly around the thong without excessive overlap.
This means much more care and concentration is required during plaiting to prevent
strand breaks.
Overlay plait count also affects the responsiveness of a whip. The more strands
that are used in the overlay, the more responsive the whip will tend to be.
A common analogy that is used to explain this situation is to compare overlay strand
count to the number of links in a length of chain. If two identical chains are
held by the ends, one in each of your outstretched hands, and shaken back and
forth, you would expect them both to move back and forth similarly. If one of the
chains is made of more links than the other and those links are smaller and finer
in proportions, then when both chains are shaken back and forth the chain with
more links would respond better to the movement of your hands. Each change in
speed and direction of your hands would be better duplicated by the chain with
more links since its construction provides more axes of motion and less
restriction to change. Whips respond similarly, as higher overlay plait counts
give changes in movement in the thong that better mimic the changes in your hands,
increasing control and whip placement.
With higher plait count and smaller strand widths also comes an increased
possibility of damage to the whip during use. Strands with less width have a more
limited ability to withstand accidental contact with hard or abrasive objects and
so more care needs to be taken during their use. A lower strand count means that
the strands can be wider and thus can survive an occasional mishap. Working whips
(for example, those used on a ranch to move livestock) and those used for general
purpose cracking are better suited to 12 plait and less which makes for a robust
whip thong that is able to withstand more punishment.
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Handle Length:
The length of a whip's handle determines how much control and leverage the user
has when using the whip. The longer the handle, the easier it will be to precisely
place the tip of the whip.
Whips designed for target cutting, where control of the
end of the whip is of paramount importance, will typically have longer handles for
this reason. This is the same reason why fishing poles, especially poles used for
fly fishing, are so long: the extra length allows the fisherman to place the bait
or lure exactly where he wishes. This does not mean that a whip with a short
handle cannot be used for precision target cutting. It simply means it will take
more skill on the part of the user to place it where he or she wishes.
Handle length is also a matter of personal preference or based on local tradition.
In Australia it is very common to find whips with very long handles, stock whips
being a prime example with handle lengths of around 21 inches. In America, whips
tend to have shorter handles (or no handles at all, as is the case for snake whips)
as this fit more with the cowboy lifestyle in the late 1800's and early 1900's.
Those wishing for whips that are screen accurate to the ones used in the movies
(Indiana Jones being a prime example) would want the handle of their whip to match
as close as possible to the length of those they are having it patterned after.
Collector quality whips which have a large overlay plait count may have a longer
handle to show off more intricate patterns or allow more space for letters to form
a particular word.
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Colors:
Kangaroo leather comes from the tannery in a variety of different colors. The most
common colors are: natural (i.e. this is the natural color of the hide, no dye is
added), saddle tan, whiskey, brandy, and black. The hides used for whipmaking are
usually vegetable tanned, meaning that the dyes that produce the colors are
derived from plant-based products such as tree bark and certain types of roots.
These dyes fully permeate the leather giving a consistent and even color
throughout the hide.
While these are the most common colors, almost any color combination is possible
by hand dyeing natural kangaroo hide. The Fiebing Company produces some of the
best leather dyes in the world and has a wide variety of colors to choose from.
Here is a link to
Fiebing's Dye Color Chart.
Whips can be made with more than one color if desired. A common option is to use
two different colors (referred to as "two-tone") when plaiting a whip.
The colors
provide contrast throughout the whip and help to accentuate the plaiting patterns.
Many whips use only one color for the handle and thong but use a different color
for the Turk's Head knots on the handle knob and the handle-to-thong transition.
Color choices are a personal preference and do not affect the performance or
handling of the whip.
Whip Construction
Quality whips are made in a multilayered fashion where many layers of leather are tightly
bound and plaited together to form a strong tight bundle. Typically 6 or more layers of
leather make up a quality whip, with 9 layers being common in certain styles. This is the
most durable and reliable method of whip construction and is referred to as the
"Australian" method or technique of whipmaking after the early leather craftsmen of
Australia who utilized this method and still employ it today.
Without exception, the best leather for whipmaking is kangaroo. It has a much higher
tensile strength than any other leather (many times that of cowhide), is extremely easy to
work with, readily accepts and holds dyes and stains, and can be cut into thin strands and
pulled tight to form a strong, solid whip. If properly cared for, kangaroo leather
maintains its strength and flexibility over long periods of time. In fact, there are
examples of high quality Australian made kangaroo whips produced eighty plus years ago
that still crack and respond as well today as they did eight decades ago.
The foundation of all quality whips is the core. There are a variety of ways to construct
a good, long lasting core but all these methods have one thing in common: tightly
constricted kangaroo leather (typically rolled or twisted) that forms a solid base, with
no air gaps, upon which to build the other layers of the whip.
Subsequent layers of leather that wrap around the core are designed and custom cut to
suit the type of whip being crafted. A "belly" refers to a layer where strands of kangaroo
are plaited tightly together around the inner layers of the whip. It has the same
structure as the overlay (the outermost layer of a whip that you see) and requires the
same care and patience to complete. The only difference between them is that bellies will
typically utilize fewer strands during plaiting than the overlay: 4, 6, or 8 strands being
typical. Quality whips can be made up of one or more bellies.
Bolsters are commonly used to add thickness and weight to the thong and are made from a
long tapered strip of kangaroo or other type of leather. This leather strip is bound to
the inner whip structure and plaited over with either another belly or the overlay.
The
deceptively simple look of a bolster is somewhat misleading, as another important function
the bolster plays is in weight distribution. A properly designed and tapered bolster
shifts the correct amount of weight farther out into the thong thus improving the
performance and balance of the whip. Another important feature the bolster plays is in
producing a "true falling" whip. A whip generates its distinctive crack when the whip
handler moves the whip in such a way that a loop is formed in the thong right after the
handle. This loop travels down the whip, gaining momentum through mechanical leverage
provided by the whip’s construction, until it exits at the tail end of the thong breaking
the sound barrier at over 700 miles per hour. A true falling whip is one that produces a
consistent and uniform loop that moves linearly, and without variation or
attenuation, from the handle where the crack begins to the tail of the whip where the
crack ends.
The final layer of leather in whip construction is the overlay. This is the layer that is
seen, is typically made up of the most number of strands, and so requires the most
patience and skill to complete. Fancy plaiting patterns, ring work, and letters can be
produced at this stage if desired. Only the very best section of a kangaroo hide is used
to complete the overlay where stretch and imperfections in the leather cannot be tolerated.
This "whip within a whip" method of whipmaking, while more time consuming and costly than
other methods of construction, produce whips that last the longest, respond the best, and
have a look and feel about them that is second to none. In many ways, a top quality
kangaroo leather whip is very much like a luxury car, finely tailored clothing, or hand
cut jewelry: each takes time and skill to produce and each piece is uniquely suited to
the customer.
The Indiana Jones Bullwhip
A type of whip that warrants mentioning specifically is the Indiana Jones style due to its
incredible popularity.
The "Indy" style of whip was designed and crafted by master
whipmaker David Morgan of the United States. His whips were featured in the first three
Indiana Jones movies (Raiders of the Lost Ark, The Temple of Doom, and The Last Crusade)
and have been used by stuntmen, performers, and general whip crackers alike for their
durability, distinctive look, and excellent weight distribution which make them easy to
crack and control.
Indy whips are made in a true "whip within a whip" Australian style with a distinctively
American look. The 8 inch handle is shorter than its Australian cousins and the whip is
heavier to suit the hard-hitting style of this genre. "Screen accurate" Indy whips, as
true Indy fans call them, are made from thick, natural kangaroo hide in a matte finish,
meaning no shellac, wax, or other coatings are added to the completed whip. Over time,
the natural kangaroo hide darkens on its own to the golden brown most recognize as the
color of Indy's whip. Whips used in
the Indy movies all had 12 plait overlays with wide cut lace (starting at 8 mm in 12 plait
at the handle and tapering to 5 mm in 6 plait at the fall hitch) and ranged in length from
8 feet to 16 feet. The 8 foot whips were used for action sequences and the 10 foot whips
were used in close-up shots.
The internal construction of Indy whips is: kangaroo core, 1st plaited belly, 1st bolster,
2nd plaited belly, 2nd bolster, ending in a 12 plait overlay in natural kangaroo. The
distinctive Indy style also includes a 6 plait flat braid wrist loop (with an inner linear
loop length of 6 inches), a lead loaded handle knob to balance out the weight of the thong,
a 5 part, 4 bight, 3 pass Turk's Head knot on the handle knob, a 5 part, 4 bight, 2 pass
Turk's Head knot on the handle-to-thong transition, with a checker board plait for the
handle and a herringbone plait for the thong.
What's Best for You?
Deciding which type of whip is best for you typically comes down to two questions:
The following is a list of options you might consider that are based upon how your
whip may be used:
Target Cutting
Consider a bullwhip with a longer handle of 10 inches or more to increase leverage
and control of the tail of the whip. Australian
style bullwhips will typically have handles that are 12 to 16 inches in
length. A target whip with more of an American style handle may be 10 to 12 inches
in length with 10 inches being a good general choice. For those
who are wondering just how much control a skilled whipcracker can attain with practice:
practitioners at this level of experience have been known to snuff out candle flames,
strike small moving targets thrown into the air, light matches, and even pound nails
into soft boards with their whips (please be careful not to damage your whip
with that last one!). Remember, it is the fall of the whip that actually
strikes targets, NOT the braided tail of the whip! As a side note, for those
interested in competition cracking, Australian whip competitions require a whip
that is at least 6 feet in length (from the end of the handle knob to the
end of the braided portion of the whip) for the target cutting portion of the
contest.
Fast Cracking Routines
A shorter, light weight whip with fast action is best suited for this application. An
Australian style bullwhip that is 3 to 6 feet in length with 12 or more plait for
the overlay will give good control and response. A taller person might consider a
whip in the 4 to 6 foot range while a shorter person might be better suited with a
3 to 4 foot whip. If the whip will be used in
more controlled situations and not cracked over rough or abrasive surfaces,
consider 16 plait a good choice for the overlay, or an even higher plait if extremely good
response is desired. While bullwhips are good at this type of fast cracking,
Australian stockwhips are even better and can produce some of the fastest and
most complex routines due to their two part construction. A matched pair of stockwhips
that are 3 to 5 feet in length with a 16 plait overlay are common in Australian
whipcracking competitions.
General Cracking
This is a bit of a "catch all" but is the most commonly sited use by
customers for their whips. These are whips that are capable of doing a
bit of everything and give a good balance between weight, length, control,
responsiveness, and aesthetics. Good choices for a general purpose
whip are:
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A tall person should consider a whip that is 6 or 8 feet in length.
A shorter person or a child might be more comfortable with a 4 to 6
foot whip. These lengths are easier to keep off the ground and faster
to move between cracks. The timing of cracks is also not as critical
as longer whips require more waiting between throws. Whips that are
6 and 8 feet in length also allow for wrapping objects at closer distances,
with 8 foot being the best choice for this application. All of these
lengths are good for target cutting but the shorter lengths are more
forgiving as there is less whip length to control and the distance between
the whipcracker and the target is smaller.
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A 12 plait overlay provides a good balance between durability,
responsiveness, and aesthetics. At this plait count, patterns and two-tone
work are very attractive yet robust enough to handle the occasional
mishap. If this is a working whip (i.e. used on a farm or ranch) or will
be used in less favorable conditions, consider an 8 plait whip. At 8
plait, the overlay strands are much wider and can take more punishment.
Aesthetically speaking, the downside of an 8 plait overlay is that it is
somewhat limited on the plaiting patterns available.
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A handle that is 8 to 10 inches in length fits the American style
of whip while an Australian style handle might be from 10 to 16 inches.
For Indiana Jones fans wanting a whip that matches his, go with 8 inches.
A length of 10 inches is usually a good compromise for giving good leverage
and control in whip handling while providing enough space for the
whipmaker to plait any elaborate patterns and ring work desired by the
customer.
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Consider a medium weight whip with a lead loaded handle. Lead strips are
frequently added to the knob end of whip handles to balance out the weight
of the thong. A balanced whip promotes the formation of loops in the
thong that give a whip its distinctive crack. A medium weight whip will
produce a deep and resounding crack while limiting the amount of strength
required to heft it. An Indy whip has a moderately heavy thong with a
handle that is weighted appropriately to provide good balance. "Naturally
weighted" whips are those that do not utilize added weight in their handles
and are consequently much lighter. While these whips are very fast, they tend to
require a bit more skill to crack as timing becomes more critical.
Wraps
Wraps refer to using the whip to wrap around objects at a distance. Longer whips
of any style are the best choice in this application since the extra length of
the thong is necessary to allow the whip to wrap properly. Consider a whip with
a length of 8 or more feet for wraps, with 10 feet being a good general choice
if the whip will also be used for other types of cracking. A 12 foot whip length
would be better for wrapping objects that are a greater distance away.
Indoor
Whips used indoors by performers or those who live in cold or wet climates and must
practice inside,
require a shorter length to prevent striking objects in such close proximity.
Whips that are 3 to 5 feet in length are typically used in these situations.
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