About HandMadeWhips
The plaited belly construction is the best technique for making
bullwhips. I build my whips starting with a rolled leather core. Over this is
the first plaited belly that is dressed and rolled smooth before attaching the
first bolster. Then a second plaited layer is braided over the first and
then rolled. A
second bolster is added and the whole thing is dressed and rolled giving it an
evenly tapered shape. An 8 plait tapered
strand overlay is plaited over this, none of the strands are dropped, all the
strands run the length of the whip. In
all there are 9 layers of leather
making up the body of the whip. Making for a well-balanced whip that gives you the strength and durability of a high-end
Kangaroo whip minus the expense.
There are two advantages to this type of construction; the first is that you end up with a dense, compact and efficient whip. The second is the interior leather acts as a well within the whip helping to keep the leather from drying out. All this helps to retain the whips integrity over many years of use.
Some recommendations to help you care for your whip.
Never get your whip wet. Never use light oils like neat's-foot, tallow or mink oils to dress it. light oils like this will sooner or later weaken and break down the leather. Don't use it on rough surfaces like pavement or concrete. Don't practice wrapping on trees. Don't crack it against the ground or hit any hard surface or use excessive force when throwing. Don't use the whip without a cracker. Don't store your whip in direct sunlight, or in your car.
Keep your fall well greased. Find, and use a good beeswax dressing. (Google Leather Dressing and you'll find a good one.) Dress your whip if it gets wet. (Let it dry completely first.) If you dress the whip when it's still wet you could lock in the water and the leather will decay. Dress your whip if it gets or too dry or scuffed up. Keep an eye out for, and untie knots in the fall and cracker.
Most of this stuff is common sense, But you'd be amazed at what some folks will do to their whips. Basically all you need to do is; if it starts to look beat-up or dried out give it some dressing and let it set overnight before using it again. If it gets wet let it dry then dress it. Like any of your tools, if you take care of it, It'll take care of you.
