This is the Gallery of "Exowhips" - Tyler Blake

[Tyler Blake]

And here is my first wooden handled whip:



technically it's not done yet for two reasons- the epoxy is still drying, and also the customer is still deciding what he wants burned on the handle.



The handle is from Roy, and it has a 5 foot read and black wave lace thong.



And yes, now that you mention it, that is a tapered red and black cracker:



My customer is local, so he came to the house and checked out some whips I had finished and that I was working on. He picked out Roy's handle and we kind of designed the whip around that. He's got Scottish ancestry (so do I) so I'm hoping to do a thistle/knotwork pattern that wraps around the cup. More pics to follow

[Robby Amper]

Tyler - that one looks great. Roy's handle - amazing. The braiding - flawless and beautiful as ever.
Perhaps you could do a video on that one? I'd l o v e to see it in action. And I too love the fact, that it is
a combination between the traditional cowwhip and a modern bullwhip style.

Robby

[Ron May]

Tyler that looks so good.
You never disappoint and your pattern is totally mind blowing.


Ron

[Philbert Lim]

Tyler, that looks amazing, love how the handle has that reddish hue to it, blends really well with the rest of the whip.

[Robert Gage]

Tyler, that's quite magnificent! I'm also with Robby: I've love to see it in action. (I imagine the wave lace thong moves with great fluidity, but without being at all limp.) Great work!

[Devin Bauer]

Looking good Tyler, I'm interested to see how it moves.
I found that woodies seem to be best with a softer and more fluid transition, curious to see how this one compares to that idea.

[Rachel McCollough]

Tyler that's the perfect combo! I can't wait to see the completed knot work!
Love that red and black, and Roy's handle sets it off perfectly, well done to both of you!

[Jessie Edwards]

Oooooo. At first I am overwhelmed with the red handle and the red on the thong, but you know...its different. Like, the handle is really organic and it kind of supports the more industrial (?) look of the thong. Futuristic? Your thongs always look really clean and perfect--I am not finding the right word, but it is completely different from the organic almost chaotic grain in the wood handle. Where most of you are all about performance, I am aesthetics, especially when 2 opposing elements are at play...This is pretty awesome Tyler
I kind of want to look at this longer and maybe think of a whip holder that would set off both parts and bring it all together. I need to weld today.

[Efren de Gala]

What a truly wonderful collaboration! I'd love to see a video as well.
Devin, I'm glad you mention the transition of woodies, as I'd like to make one sometime soon. On my Academy the transition is strong but quite springy like a sport epee.

[Tyler Blake]

Thanks Robby! I am definitely going to try and do a video for this, and in fact the weather looks good right now, so Kiley and I might have to walk down to the park when I get home for a short film...

Thanks Ron and Phil! Thanks Philbert and Robert! Thanks Devin, I've never handled a real wooden handled bullwhip before, I'd love to sometime to get an idea for the feel that other people use. Thanks Rachel! Thanks so much Jessie, good luck on the welding! And thanks Efren

[Sir Roger Tuson]

Tyler, that's a fiercely loooooooooooooong cracker. Don't think I've seen one that long. All mine are less that third your length. Why is that?

[Robert Gage]

Roger, it's worth experimenting with longer crackers. If the whip is heavy enough, and the overall balance is right, they can make a big difference.... I haven't yet tried tapered crackers, but look forward to doing so in the coming months.

[Sir Roger Tuson]

I shall have a go!

[Robert Gage]

Let us know how you get on, Roger!

[Roy Partin]

The patterns in the wave lace are perfection. I love how you scattered them down the thong. I am very intrigued on this tapered cracker. I have heard Pokkis mention them before, but now seeing it I think it will be perfect for a short whip. I am super proud to see my handle on a Tyler Blake whip, thanks. So happy that this combination worked out for you. A video is a must on this one.

[Ron May]

I prefer longer crackers. 8" to 12"
They do have a tendency to knot up more often but it's worth it to me.

Ron

[Tyler Blake]

Roger, my tapered crackers are longer than my untapered ones just because, like on a whip, it's easier to taper when you have a little more room. It's a subtle difference, and it's a little herd to describe the feel of cracking with tapered crackers, so I'm just going to say it feels "smoother". Anyone else who's used them wish to expand on that?

Thanks Roy! I've been so excited to do something with these handles since I got them, so I was elated when my customer picked up this one and fell in love with it. Then when he said he wanted a red and black thong I almost danced a jig :P We tried to film a short video yesterday, but it's been raining and the ground is completely saturated and muddy. (western Washington) I don't want to get the thong muddy, but I will shoot a video even if it's in my living room!

[Mario Desgronte]

Wow I like ...no I love your first wooden handled whip, it looks so great with the red and black color combination.
Excellent work, Tyler, excellent work.

All the best
Mario

[Tyler Blake]

Thank you Mario!

[Tyler Blake]

I did manage to catch some nice weather and dry grass on Saturday, so here is the video:

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