A Couple of New Whip & Color Schemes

I picked up some neon green paracord the other day and have made a couple of whips with it now.  I put this five foot bullwhip together the other day as a Christmas present for a friend.  It is made using both neon green and kelly green.

I'm really digging the colors on this next whip.  This is my "Fire Whip."  It is a four foot snakewhip made with black, imperial red, neon orange, and neon yellow paracord.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and may it truly be a time of giving thanks.  "Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and perform your vows to the Most High, and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me" (Psalm 50:14-15).

Happy cracking,

~Ryan

www.happycracking.com

Just Working on Some Whips

With Christmas coming I have several orders on the docket.  I just tonight finished an order for a purple and black Snapdragon.  I had a dickens of a time getting the purple cord.  It took a bit of work to find a store that had it in stock and then when my package arrived in the mail it was lacking the purple part of my order, which was the whole reason for placing an order with that company - yeah!!!  Oh well, my customer was very gracious and patient with me.  Anyway here it is.

I'm pleased with how this one turned out.  It's got a good little "pop" to it.  I hope my customer is pleased as well.

There's still time for a few more Christmas orders.  Contact me if I can help you get the whip you're looking for.

Happy cracking,

~Ryan

http://www.happycracking.com/

How Much Space Do I Need To Crack A Whip?

As you are considering your space requirements remember that a 6-foot whip is only measuring the length of the handle and thong - the fall and the cracker can add another 2 to 3 feet - so a 6 foot whip may in actuality be around 9 feet long. As you make your space measurements figure double the length of the overall whip for the diameter of a circle with your body as the center point - as well as add around 4 feet to account for your body and arm. If you have low branches or low powerlines in your yard take this into consideration.

So, a 6-foot bullwhip will probably require at least 22 feet of cracking space for you to stand in the middle of (9+9+4=22).

I hope this helps as you consider a whip purchase.
 
Happy Cracking,
 
~Ryan
 
http://www.happycracking.com/

How to Snag Stuff with a Whip

I found this crazy article on snagging a TV remote with a whip.  I thought it was a hoot.

There are few tools that can break the sound barrier while fetching the TV remote. But throw a whip right and its tip can travel 900 mph (producing a sonic boom), then curl back to snare the object of your desire. Anthony De Longis, who coached Harrison Ford for Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, shows us how to lash out.


1. Skip the toys
Look for a 6- to 8-foot-long whip with a braided core. The best are made from kangaroo hide (or maybe paracord - sorry I couldn't resist - Ryan).


2. Take your stance
Imagine you’re straddling railroad tracks. The whip should travel parallel to the rails, and the target should be a bit closer than the length of your whip. Use caution: The tip can cut to bone.


3. Load and lock
Stretch the whip out in front of you, arm extended and pointed at the object. Now yank your hand up to 12 o’clock. The whip will fly over your hand and unravel behind you.


4. Throw down
When you feel a tug, lower your forearm — easy now, let the whip do the work. It’ll roll forward just to the side of your body. As it unfurls, squeeze the handle.


5. Crack and drag
The tip will extend just beyond the target; as it recoils, it’ll wrap itself around the object. Pull the remote toward you slowly. Next lesson: cracking open a beer.


Contributed by Catherine DiBenedetto

You can find the original version here: http://howto.wired.com/wiki/Snag_Stuff_With_a_Whip

Have fun and happy cracking,

Ryan

6 Foot Bullwhip Plaiting

I am working on a blue & black 6 foot bullwhip.  It is built like most of my snakewhips (core, bolster, belly, reinforcement, overlay) except, of course, it has a rigid handle.  Right now I'm plaiting the twelve plait overlay.  Here's a pic...

If you're interested here's how I secure my whips while plaiting them.

I clamp it to a post in my house using an Irwin Quick-Grip.  Not very sexy, but hey it works.  I'll try to add more later.  Check out my previous post for more general information about my whips.

Happy cracking,

Ryan

The SnakeWhip

Snakewhips are like bullwhips except they lack the stiff handle. In other words, they are flexible all the way to the butt knot. A snakewhip is measured from the butt to the end of the plaited (braided) portion.

I specialize in 12-plait, three-foot snakewhips made from nylon paracord - The Pocket Rattler.  Generally this whip's total length is around five and a half feet long when you include the fall and the cracker.

These are real, true working whips.  They crack loudly and easily (that is once you learn how to crack a whip).  Below is a customer of mine using a Pocket Rattler when he was first learning how to crack a whip.

 

The Pocket Rattler can be purchased for $61 (plus $9 shipping).  You can choose either one or two colors in the pattern shown.  I currently have black, blue, orange, red, brown, and tan.  Contact me for more information or to order a whip.

I also make mini snakewhips, The Snapdragon.  These little guys are great to stick in a pocket and tote around with you.  They are constructed differently from the Pocket Rattlers in that they have only the core, the bolster, and the eight plait overlay.  They do not have a middle plaited layer.  This is due to their small size; around twenty-two inches for the thong and an overall length of thirty-nine inches with the fall and cracker.

I sell the Snapdragons for $44.  I have been asked if they crack and they do, although with a bit more of a flick of the wrist than the Pocket Rattlers.

Frequently Asked Questions (about the Pocket Rattler):

What are the parts of your whips?  The Pocket Rattler has a turk's head butt knot, around a three foot thong, around a two foot fall, and a cracker.

How are your whips constructed?  Each whip starts with a weighted paracord core which is then covered by a vinyl bolster.  The core and bolster are then covered by an eight plait paracord belly.  The belly is then reinforced in the "handle" area with a bit of artificial sinew.  Finally the whip is finished with a twelve plait paracord overlay.

How long does it take to get a whip?  Most whip are made by special order.  When I pre-make them I list them on ebay (just do a search for nylon snakewhip).  Depending on how many orders I presently have I should be able to get your whip out within three weeks.

How do I pay for a whip?  I prefer Paypal.  This makes it safer for both you and me.  Simply email me with your order and I'll send you an invoice.

Why nylon?  Paracord is a very sturdy material and unlike leather it does not mildew or rot which allows nylon whips to be used in all types of weather.  Nylon whips are very low maintenance.

Can you make ...?  Maybe.  Just ask, and we'll see what we can do.

Can you ship to...?  If you can receive mail I should be able to ship there.  I have shipped all over the U.S. and to many other countries.

PLEASE NOTE: I have just begun working on this blog site.  It is still under construction and will have more information soon.

(Black Pocket Rattler)

(Three Snapdragons)

**WHIP CRACKING CAN BE DANGEROUS - WEARING SAFETY GLASSES AND A WIDE BRIMMED HAT IS RECOMMENDED WHEN USING ANY WHIP**