Thank you very much!The "Making of" Gallery - Rachel McCollough
-
Rachel McCollough
- Member of the Ring
- Posts: 9960
- Joined: Tue 21. Apr 2015, 11:37
- Location: South Mississippi, USA
- Contact:
-
Jyri Haveri
- Member
- Posts: 2148
- Joined: Tue 28. Mar 2017, 12:40
-
Rachel McCollough
- Member of the Ring
- Posts: 9960
- Joined: Tue 21. Apr 2015, 11:37
- Location: South Mississippi, USA
- Contact:
I am... -
Ethan Mitchell
- Member
- Posts: 834
- Joined: Tue 11. Jul 2017, 23:47
- Location: Florence, KY
- Contact:
-
Ethan Mitchell
- Member
- Posts: 834
- Joined: Tue 11. Jul 2017, 23:47
- Location: Florence, KY
- Contact:
-
Rachel McCollough
- Member of the Ring
- Posts: 9960
- Joined: Tue 21. Apr 2015, 11:37
- Location: South Mississippi, USA
- Contact:
-
Flemming Bo Christiansen
- Member
- Posts: 3669
- Joined: Tue 29. Aug 2017, 20:59
- Location: Denmark, Middelfart
-
Sir Roger Tuson
-
Mark Elliott
- Member
- Posts: 4061
- Joined: Mon 11. Sep 2017, 20:28
- Location: Fritch, Texas US
- Contact:
-
Rachel McCollough
- Member of the Ring
- Posts: 9960
- Joined: Tue 21. Apr 2015, 11:37
- Location: South Mississippi, USA
- Contact:
you have a fine talent and style all your own!!! Thank you, sir!-
Scott A. Cary
- Member
- Posts: 2399
- Joined: Sat 22. Jul 2017, 22:25
I've been putting this post off a bit, as I wanted to give it the attention it deserves. I am very happy to say that I am the proud owner of "The Triplets". As many of you know, Rachel crafted the whip for my son which replaced one made by a former member of the Ring of Trust. Shortly after receiving that whip, I decided that I wanted one of Rachel's whips for myself and so began our journey...
Originally, my plan was to have her build me a Rachel Stock Whip but I wanted it to be built with a special piece of wood. After consulting her as to what properties she would require to make an effective stock whip handle, I found the right piece of wood at [url]gilmerwood.com[/url] and had it drop shipped to her. After finding the piece of wood, it became apparent that there would be enough material to make two whip handles and, naturally, I opted to have her build an Amper Style whip using wood from the same blank. We spent a good deal of time discussing the handles, and various plaiting options. After Rachel received the wood, she inspected it and we found that there would be enough material to make a handle for a Steer Whip! And so, a single whip became "The Twins", which then became "The Triplets".
Each of the whips was to have its handle shaped from the same piece of wood and all were to have matching serial numbers. The thongs were to be a solid color (black) and the plaiting was to be in a series of patterns of the whip maker's choice. I think, if truth be told, Rachel was a bit nervous about this, but I told her numerous times that I wanted the whips to be a showcase of her whipmaking, her style, and her talents. My only requirement was that the plaiting patterns on the whips were such that they would all match. This sounds easy, but as I'm sure Rachel will attest, it is no small feat considering that the thongs are actually of different lengths. She rose to the challenge and plaited the various patterns with proportional lengths, such that each pattern would be of the same percentage of the overall length of the thong on which she was working. The result was three matching thongs, of different lengths, on different types of whips. As you can see by the photos above, they are simply breathtaking.
Beauty is one thing, but how do they crack? In a word: amazing! I generally prefer a heavier whip, and The Triplets don't disappoint in this regard. They fly extremely well, with a life of their own. You can really feel the whips want to do their own work - all they need is a nudge in the right direction. My first time out with them, I was able to accomplish combos that I had never done successfully before. They say a poor carpenter blames his tools, but I will tell you that having the right tool allows you to accomplish things that might otherwise not have been possible.
If I had to pick a favorite of the three, it would be the Amper Style whip. Like its namesake, it is a Legend! Its handle fits my hand perfectly and it just feels...perfect. The Steer whip handles similarly to the Amper Style, but, although it remains a substantial whip in its own right, is noticeably lighter than the Amper Style Whip. I have the least experience with stockwhips and am still developing a feel for them, but the Rachel Stock is a very substantial stockwhip. Like its siblings, it is heavy yet fluid (if that makes sense). Unless you are blessed with significantly more strength than I, you won't likely set any speed records with this whip. You will, however, find this whip to be a solid, graceful whip which is full of life.
I can't say enough about these whips and, by extension, their maker. I am lucky enough to own not one, but three masterpieces that showcase the whip maker's skill and personal style. There is not another set of whips like this on the planet and, no, they are not for sale!
Thank you very much, Rachel! You have every right to be very proud of this set of whips.
Originally, my plan was to have her build me a Rachel Stock Whip but I wanted it to be built with a special piece of wood. After consulting her as to what properties she would require to make an effective stock whip handle, I found the right piece of wood at [url]gilmerwood.com[/url] and had it drop shipped to her. After finding the piece of wood, it became apparent that there would be enough material to make two whip handles and, naturally, I opted to have her build an Amper Style whip using wood from the same blank. We spent a good deal of time discussing the handles, and various plaiting options. After Rachel received the wood, she inspected it and we found that there would be enough material to make a handle for a Steer Whip! And so, a single whip became "The Twins", which then became "The Triplets".
Each of the whips was to have its handle shaped from the same piece of wood and all were to have matching serial numbers. The thongs were to be a solid color (black) and the plaiting was to be in a series of patterns of the whip maker's choice. I think, if truth be told, Rachel was a bit nervous about this, but I told her numerous times that I wanted the whips to be a showcase of her whipmaking, her style, and her talents. My only requirement was that the plaiting patterns on the whips were such that they would all match. This sounds easy, but as I'm sure Rachel will attest, it is no small feat considering that the thongs are actually of different lengths. She rose to the challenge and plaited the various patterns with proportional lengths, such that each pattern would be of the same percentage of the overall length of the thong on which she was working. The result was three matching thongs, of different lengths, on different types of whips. As you can see by the photos above, they are simply breathtaking.
Beauty is one thing, but how do they crack? In a word: amazing! I generally prefer a heavier whip, and The Triplets don't disappoint in this regard. They fly extremely well, with a life of their own. You can really feel the whips want to do their own work - all they need is a nudge in the right direction. My first time out with them, I was able to accomplish combos that I had never done successfully before. They say a poor carpenter blames his tools, but I will tell you that having the right tool allows you to accomplish things that might otherwise not have been possible.
If I had to pick a favorite of the three, it would be the Amper Style whip. Like its namesake, it is a Legend! Its handle fits my hand perfectly and it just feels...perfect. The Steer whip handles similarly to the Amper Style, but, although it remains a substantial whip in its own right, is noticeably lighter than the Amper Style Whip. I have the least experience with stockwhips and am still developing a feel for them, but the Rachel Stock is a very substantial stockwhip. Like its siblings, it is heavy yet fluid (if that makes sense). Unless you are blessed with significantly more strength than I, you won't likely set any speed records with this whip. You will, however, find this whip to be a solid, graceful whip which is full of life.
I can't say enough about these whips and, by extension, their maker. I am lucky enough to own not one, but three masterpieces that showcase the whip maker's skill and personal style. There is not another set of whips like this on the planet and, no, they are not for sale!
Thank you very much, Rachel! You have every right to be very proud of this set of whips.
I'll give it a try, Dad, but it's going to be really hard...kind of like trying to saw something in half using a banana.
-
Robert Gage
- C Member
- Posts: 14189
- Joined: Fri 7. Feb 2014, 15:58
- Location: UK
-
Robby Amper
- Member
- Posts: 4847
- Joined: Tue 30. Dec 2008, 20:40
- Location: Munich, Germany
- Contact:
Ha...! You are the criminal mastermind which made me change my mind on the handle material and color...! I was talking about a special whip, I need for the 2018 WB Meet & Greet. And it was another wood, before I saw these amazing whips. Serious... Congratulations, Scott. That trinity is awesome and unique. And if I would be really honest and open, I would admit that I am a bit jealous, too. But being not open and honest, the world will never know... I think, I made am mistake. I just don't know what. Hm...
And my congratulations to Rachel. I remember when she started to make whips. And now she's an acclaimed whip maker and member of the Ring of Trust. Impressive work, Mrs. McCollough. Impressive indeed!
Robby
And my congratulations to Rachel. I remember when she started to make whips. And now she's an acclaimed whip maker and member of the Ring of Trust. Impressive work, Mrs. McCollough. Impressive indeed!
Robby
I have a screwdriver. I am Legend...
-
Robert Gage
- C Member
- Posts: 14189
- Joined: Fri 7. Feb 2014, 15:58
- Location: UK
-
Rachel McCollough
- Member of the Ring
- Posts: 9960
- Joined: Tue 21. Apr 2015, 11:37
- Location: South Mississippi, USA
- Contact:
Scott, thank you very much. I appreciate your patience as well, as I know you had to wait on a whip order before that did not work out like it should have... But I am grateful it didn't! WB and I both have gained a fine friend, indeed, in the process.
The Triplets were definitely a challenge, but so much fun... Thank you very much for the opportunity to build them for you.
You may have started something
Thank you, Mr. Robert!
Ron, Thank you!..
Legend Yes, now you know who the Culprit who made you change the handle is
Thank you, Robby.... And everyone at WB who has helped me learn...
The Triplets were definitely a challenge, but so much fun... Thank you very much for the opportunity to build them for you.
You may have started something
Thank you, Mr. Robert!
Ron, Thank you!..
Legend Yes, now you know who the Culprit who made you change the handle is
Thank you, Robby.... And everyone at WB who has helped me learn...
Inch by inch.
-
Mark Elliott
- Member
- Posts: 4061
- Joined: Mon 11. Sep 2017, 20:28
- Location: Fritch, Texas US
- Contact:
-
Ethan Mitchell
- Member
- Posts: 834
- Joined: Tue 11. Jul 2017, 23:47
- Location: Florence, KY
- Contact:
-
Scott A. Cary
- Member
- Posts: 2399
- Joined: Sat 22. Jul 2017, 22:25
Ethan, actually I've been phenomenally busy as of late. I've actually avoided this thread for the most part, as I didn't want to ruin Rachel's reveal. I'd seen most if not all of the photos during the build process and we had decided some time ago that a build thread would be in order.
Robby, I'm such a mastermind that I was able to forget I had even been involved in the crime! I had actually considered having Rachel send the completed Triplets to you for a special video review, but canceled the plan after hearing of some of the troubles others have had with customs of late. If I ever make it to a M&G, rest assured that they will be coming with me!
Robby, I'm such a mastermind that I was able to forget I had even been involved in the crime!
I had actually considered having Rachel send the completed Triplets to you for a special video review, but canceled the plan after hearing of some of the troubles others have had with customs of late. If I ever make it to a M&G, rest assured that they will be coming with me!I'll give it a try, Dad, but it's going to be really hard...kind of like trying to saw something in half using a banana.
-
Sir Roger Tuson