Re: Another prototype!
Nathan, the comparison with a pair of well-seasoned boots is exactly right! 
When Robby was here a few years ago and saw my whip collection (as it then was) he said the one he liked best (even though it's not his favourite style) was my old 8-foort Morgan Indy - because, he said, it looked so well used. (It was, and is!) I've posted this photo before, but here it is again:
Note the very wide strands. This is a robust whip designed for Adventures!
I suppose I really ought to try to take better photos of some of my better whips....
'Less is often more!'