Got 'Er Done :)

I finished the snakewhip from my earlier post and thought I'd throw out a few pics.

Happy cracking!

~Ryan

http://www.happycracking.com/

Busy With Christmas Orders

Well, I'm busily cranking out whips for Christmas.  Currently I am booked through about the second week in January, even though I've been able to get out several whips lately rather quickly (well quickly for me that is).  I'm currently finishing a three foot snakewhip to send to Canada for a gal who has told me this is her first whip.  I think she's going to enjoy the final product.  The colors she chose were colonial blue and neon orange - and I have to say I really like this color combo.  Here are a couple of pics of the whip in progress...

This one is not the clearest resolution, but here's the belly being plaited.

In this shot you can still see the loop where the butt knot will be that I hang the whip by as I plait it and the five strands of paracord on the other end that I'll tie the transtion hitch with.  I took this one outside in the sunlight with my iPhone.

Anyway, I just thought I'd write a quick update.  Feel free to contact me with questions about my whips, whips in general, or about ordering.  Have a wonderful Christmas season.

~Ryan

http://www.happycracking.com/

How to Crack a Whip: The Reverse Circus Crack

The Reverse Circus Crack or the Reverse Cattleman's Crack



This crack is accomplished in much the same way as the regular Circus Crack, only in reverse.

1. Begin with the whip down or in front of you and your arm down straight by your side (the 6 o’clock position).
2. In a smooth motion bring the whip up behind you and over your shoulder. Your arm should stop around the 12 o’clock position, yet allowing the whip to continue forward in front of you.
3. When the whip is point straight ahead of you - the 3 o’clock position or even slightly down, say 4 or 5 o’clock (note that your arm is still in the straight up 12 o’clock position) – bring your arm quickly back to the 9 o’clock position and on down to 6 o’clock.

The whip is traveling in a horizontal plane beside you and when you change directions it forms the loop that will make it reach the speed to crack.

Happy cracking!

~Ryan

http://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/

Rock Climbing

I'm taking a group of my outdoor skills students rock climbing in Lincoln, Arkansas tomorrow.  For some of them this will be their first time on the rocks and this trip will help to make sense of the things we have been learning in the classroom.  You may be wondering why I'm including this posting on my whip blog and the reason is that outings like this one are perfect opportunities to bring along a whip or three for the kids to mess around with.  Cracking whips and wilderness sports go great together.  Here's my packing list for tomorrow:

• Static rope(s)
• One for rappelling
• One for Yo-yo runner
• Dymanic rope(s)
• Prusik slings
• Free carabiners
• Locking carabiners
• Friction devices
• Figure 8s
• SBG
• ATC
• Rope pads
• Webbing (anchors & harnesses)
• Harnesses
• Tarp 
• Wasp spray
• 1st aid kit
• TP
• Knife/multi-tool
• Camera 
• Extra batteries
• Lunch
• Snacks
• $
• Drinks (i.e. water)
• Cell phone
• GPS
• Comfy clothes
• Hat 
• Whips :)

Happy cracking,

~Ryan

www.happycracking.com

Bullwhip up for Auction

I just listed a 4 foot bullwhip in imperial red and black on ebay (click here to see the auction).  I'm quite pleased with how it turned out, and I have to say that I was really tempted to hang on to this one.   But I made it to make a bit of cash for Christmas so I better let it go.  Here are some pics...

If I don't have any bids and you want to purchase it, then just send me an email and I'll sell it to you (ryan@happycracking.com). 

Happy cracking,

~Ryan

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 Crack a Whip: The Circus Crack

The Circus Crack or the Forward Crack




1. Start with the whip down or preferably behind you and your arm down straight by your side (the 6:00 position). Note – I’m demonstrating with a short 3.5 foot whip; if you use a longer whip it will be better to have the whip stretched out behind you on the ground to begin this crack

2. In a smooth motion bring the whip around in front of you, up and over your shoulder. Your arm should stop around the 12 o’clock position, yet allowing the whip to continue on behind you.

3. When the whip is pointing back behind you – at around the 9 o’clock position or even pointing down toward the ground (your arm is still around 12 o’clock) – bring your arm quickly forward to the 3 o’clock position. The whip is traveling on a horizontal plane beside you and when you change its direction here it is forming the critical loop that will travel down the whip ending in the sonic boom.

4. One thing that I have seen that seems to help with this crack with new whip crackers is to practice the motions WITHOUT trying to crack the whip. Many people simply try too hard, so just try to get the motion down and it will often crack without you intending for it to happen.

~Ryan

http://www.happycracking.com/

Bullwhip Pictures

I wanted to try taking some more picturesque photos of a new whip I made.  This six-foot, twelve-plait bullwhip made in black and electric blue paracord is headed to a customer in Australia.  I want to add one or two of these pics to my website (www.happypcracking.com).  If you have a minute, let me know which one you like best.

Take care and happy cracking,

~Ryan

www.happycracking.com

New Whip Designs

I've been slowly playing with a few changes, and hopefully improvements, to my whips.  For starters I have begun loading the core with bb's and not beaded chain.  I think this adds a bit more weight to the thong and may even help the whips flow a bit more smoothly.  I like the movement I've been feeling on some of my new whips lately.

I have also begun adding the transitional turk's head knot to some of my bullwhips - at the point where the handle and thong meet.  I had not really wanted to add this knot for a couple of reasons: 1. the fear that they might come undone, and 2. I don't like tying these cursed turk's head knots and since they are merely cosmetic why bother?!?  But, they do look better nonetheless with the knot so it is now an option on my website.  The whip pictured below is a 6-foot, 12-plait bullwhip in black nylon paracord.

The other thing that I tried for the first time was adding a second color to the butt knot.  I made this 3.5 foot snakewhip (Pocket Rattler) in black and colonial blue for my daughter.

Let me know if I can custom make you a nylon whip.  Have fun and happy cracking!

~ Ryan

http://www.happycracking.com/