Whip Basics. The Forum

I finished the kangaroo hide whip last night and was able to get some photos this morning, although it is overcast here and the light was not great. It is an 8-foot, 16-plait bull with a cocobolo handle. I had somehow torn the protective paper around the natural hide when I placed it in the storage rack and for nearly a year part of the hide was exposed to sunlight from a nearby window, causing it to discolor part of the hide. I decided to cut the strands and was going to just use it for the bellies, but after looking at the strands and thinking, about it decided to use them for the overlay. I really like the way it turned out. I also had some trouble with the handle. I had originally picked out a piece of Bubinga for the handle and it turned out great except for one small problem, I drilled the hole too small! It will be saved and used for a smaller whip. I remade the handle out of an oddly light-colored piece of cocobolo that had some yellow shades in it and matched the whip very nicely, I thought.

Mark, I absolutely love this whip.

It looks like you made it from several different hides.
The handle with the grain and color is perfect.

You might think seriously about planning something similar with strips covered and uncovered to get the same look in future whips.

This could be a signature style for you.

I think this is the most visually impressive whip you've ever made.

Great job.

Ron

Mark, this is superb! I quite agree with Ron: it's a style well worth repeating.

Oh, wow! Thanks, guys.

Perfection, all around!!! I 100% agree with Mr. Robert and Ron, on all points. This is my favorite yet that you have made (and I really love your other whips, too!). You’ve certainly found your style and feel in a whip. Mark, this one really sings, and it says made in Texas by Mark’s master hands.

I don't even have to ask, " How does it crack?".
It looks like it would crack all by itself with no one around.

Ron

Very well done! All the shades of colours just blend in with that handle.

Thank you, Rachel and Jyri.

Ron, unfortunately, I strained my back earlier in the week and haven't been able to give it a try.

Mark, looks fantastic and of course you hav to charge more because of the lengthy coloring process!!

Thanks Hayes. You are absolutely right but I feel like it was on those "Happy accidents" Bob Ross talked about.

I meant to put into the original post that I started on this whip just after reading Gio's new book and Johnny Öhgren's new book and I put some their ideas into practice.

One of the best ideas was to make the bellies a 4-plait and an 8-plait and to taper them enough that you don't have to drop strands in the bellies. Then on the 16-plait overlay start the taper earlier than I had been doing so that the 16 plait goes farther down the whip and when you start dropping the strands are pretty small and are easier to hide. This is absolutely the smoothest whip I have ever made.

Good books for anyone interested in making kangaroo hide whips.

Mark this is absolutely beautiful!
If I had the money I would buy this whip in a heartbeat

Thank you, Ross. This one sold before I could even get it posted on my "Whips for Sale" page.