Whip Basics. The Forum

Mark, I sure have wondered about Mr. Marcus too. Mr. Curly Dekle produced a whole lot of whips as well.
Ha! Yes we have a LOT of plaiting to do to catch up!!!!

There seem to be three distinct styles of Florida Cow Whips.

1- fitted in the cup

2- out of the cup but somewhat tight to the handle. Still a cup there. Acts like a hinge similar to an Australian Stock whip.

3- more like a bullock whip, a thong tied to a stick type handle. No cup, a notch cut around the stick

Most cow whips were built with a very small cup and they hinged like a stock whip. Those whips were typically 12 or 14 plait. On the heavier 16 plaits, I like to run them in a deep cup, so they feel more like a bullwhip.

Roy Partin wrote:Most cow whips were built with a very small cup and they hinged like a stock whip. Those whips were typically 12 or 14 plait. On the heavier 16 plaits, I like to run them in a deep cup, so they feel more like a bullwhip.

From someone who knows! Thank you, Roy. I can only base my ideas on the pictures I've seen and talking to people, but you have the real experience. I sure appreciate it.

Thanks Rachel and Roy, whip history is as fascinating as whip building.
Also that number was supposed to be 3975, not 3575. I'm getting lazy with my proofreading again.

And here is the final photo:
An ox whip. Full 100% kangaroo. 7 1/2' long with an 18" long twist on the end and plaited from the tip (to spec for client). 8 plait to 6 plait to 4 plait. 5×4 two tone Turks Head. Twisted Taper core, single plaited belly (6 plait) with twisted taper ends, no bolsters.

That looks super Rachel.
Is that long flat piece on the end the fall, with out a cracker?

How does it crack when put together?

Ron

yay! its looks pretty cool Whippy Sistah

Thanks, WS!


Thanks Ron, the "fall" will serve as more of a gentle tap on the oxen and won't cut their hair or mark them. It is a single piece of roo.
It will tie on with a doubled sttand of paracord looped around the end of a long stick with a notch cut in it.

Aww yiss that looks great Rachel!! ^_^

Neat!

Rachel, that is so cool! Excellent job as always.

Rachel it looks wonderful!

Very good indeed, Rachel. It looks wonderfully 'period'! (By that, I mean sort of 1870s - but that may be historically wrong.)

Racehl - That is a special construction. What is the reason and what do it do, when you don't build it with a bolster inside. More alive , slower, durabel or .. ?

Is it fun to crack - or can it crack (like a gunshot ) at all ? or is only ment for give the cow's that little tap to stear them ?

Sorry for all the questions, but the world of working with Cattle the way you do "over there" is completely unknown to me

That is a superb piece of work, Rachel. I love the twisted tail to the thong.

Thank y'all very much,
Flemming, no bolsters mainly means less diameter and less weight to the best of my knowledge. Yes it is meant for a softer tap to steer the oxen. This would be for a pair or a team in a yoke being driven from the ground. With a loaded fall and cracker it would (will!) Crack well.

Very nice Rachel. It looks like you are getting really good at cutting those strands. I bet this design works perfectly for its purpose

Thank you very much, Roy. I hope to gain much more practice on cutting those strands!

Thanks for the explanation Rachel

You are very welcome!