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What's going on at HolyOak Whips?

A collection of my whips that are going out as well as related videos and articles that I think are interesting.

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Oh dear, Bobbi.  Your videos are SO Boring!

3/20/2014

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I had a couple of friends over to play with whips and that is what they told me. LOL!

"Why don't you do some of those fast and loud tricks that you are doing for us in your videos?  It will make them so much more entertaining!"


There are a few reasons that my videos are boring and that they will most likely stay that way.

First, the videos and blog post are a gift from me to my client.  They are meant to give a short sneak peak at the whip and let the client know that I value them as a person and not just a number.  The whip I built for them was important to me.

Second, that whip is not mine.  Yes, I just created it out of some cords and a dream but it doesn't belong to me.  I don't want to break it in to my habits.  I want my client to receive a NEW whip.  After all, how would you feel if you bought something and had to watch someone abuse it before you even got to touch it?  I feel it is really important to be super easy on the test crack.

Third, I do the same moves for all the test cracks because that is a big part of my quality control. 
There are a few things that I need the whip to do well and these are the easiest/fastest way for me to get that information.

Fourth, I learned something really wonderful from Ron Lew.  "Do More Less....  Do Less More".  He says it all the time and it is the answer to so many of my questions.   Let the whip work for you, not you work for the whip.

Anyone and I mean anyone can go out there and use all their force and over work a whip to get it to crack.  ( I won't bother making an "Over work the whip video" to demonstrate...  just snoop around on You Tube and you will find plenty)  It takes more skill and artistry to go through the moves gracefully and deliberately.  Once you can do them in slow motion you can also be a rock star if you want to go loud and fast because you have correct muscle memory.

Do I feel badly when I see one of my whips being bullied and abused?  Sure, a little bit.  Only because I think the person is missing out on the connection and the dance with the whip...  and that is what it is all about for me.   

So the videos aren't going to be changing.  If the video is of your whip that you have been waiting for and it is finally on its way...  its anything but boring.  Its ok if no one else gets that and are bored.

2 Comments

Anthony's whip

3/16/2014

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I live in Moab Utah and we always have movie companies and big name stars here.  Last year we had After Earth, the Lone Ranger and Transformers all being shot here within a couple of months of each other.  We don't get very excited when a new star comes to town...  but we do gossip if they are stuck-up or jerks to the locals.

I have to admit that I was nervous to start a friendship with Anthony De Longis.  I am a fan of his.  I've watched lots of his interviews as well as his movies.  He seems so cool in the interviews and I REALLY wanted him to be that same guy in real life.  It would break my heart if he turned out to be different.

Guess what!?  He is even nicer/cooler in person!  He even took the time to know the names of my husband and daughter.  He is a super busy man but made it a point to call me to give me real honest feedback on the whips that I made.  Amazing!

Anthony is going to be one of the headlining acts in the Night of the Horse show at the Del Mar racetrack.  It looks like it is going to be an incredible show.  Go check it out if you are anywhere close.  

For more information on Anthony, please visit his website.

This whip is a 7 foot Sonic Alignment, 14 plait, medium/light shot load, 15 inch handle with a 3 foot heavy fall.  I really love how the black and silver look together. 
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A fun prize whip

3/16/2014

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This whip is going to be one of the many prizes in the British Juggling/whip cracking convention.  I'm so happy that I get to be a little part of it even if I can't make the trip over there.

I was told I could make what ever I liked, but that short bullwhips that were bright and easy to see in performances were the most popular.

I was really excited because I have wanted to make a yellow/orange whip for a while.  This was the perfect opportunity to have some fun and try it out.  It was just as I imagined....  I LOVE neon yellow!

This is a 5.5 foot, 12 plait, Sonic Alignment whip in neon yellow, neon orange, scarlet red with with black and red knobs.
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Bodlak whip in action

3/11/2014

3 Comments

 
Recently, I made another curved handle whip for Randal Bodlak of Bayside Martial arts Studio in Los Osos CA.  Both whips are super cool and very unique.

I have had several people email me asking if these whips really crack and how maneuverable the actually are.


I thought it would be really fun to show this video of Randal playing with the first one I made.  I think he has some really Amazing moves!

This clip is very candid.  In fact I don't think Randal even knew he was being filmed at the time.  ((He totally rocks!))  He has promised me that he will make a more formal video ...one day when he has the time. 

Enjoy this!!  You'll need to watch it at least twice!
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3 Comments

5 foot show whip

3/5/2014

1 Comment

 
This is a very simple and elegant show whip that is headed for Germany.  It has an interesting story to go with it but the end is not written yet.  Expect another blog on this whip in the future when I know what happens with it.
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Oh my goodness!  I was so tired in that video.  I promise that I don't have black eyes...  just very sleep deprived.  ((one of the joys of being a parent of an autism Angel))
1 Comment

Dan's Dragon's Tail

3/4/2014

3 Comments

 
A few weeks ago I was talking to Tom Meadows on the phone about the 100% whip.  He had said that the original blue Tibetan Wave whip, pictured at the top of the page, was his 100% whip.  Meaning, that it is perfect. If I am able to make whips that can perform at 98% consistently, then he would feel comfortable endorsing them.  In our conversation Tom told me that the new Dragon's Tail that I made for Ron is the new 100% whip because it is even better than the blue whip.  Its the one I need to try to beat every time.

Well......

Move over boys!  This dragon's Tail is the best one yet and it has now claimed the 100% title.

Normally, I would put a whip like this aside for Ron or maybe keep it for myself but it is going to a very special guy named Dan.  I've gotten to know Dan through Facebook and I liked him right away.  He reminds me very much of my Favorite nephew.  (Who is also a red head by the way.)  Dan is one of those people that after talking with for about a minute you realize that he is only using a fraction of his available intelligence.  He is so smart but not in an in your face-gotta prove it to the world kind of way....  he just is what he is and I always learn something when we have a conversation.  I've been very open with him about my philosophy on whips and the process I go through and I believe he "got it".  I have no reservations at all giving him the 100% whip because I know he will treat it like I would.

In this video I do the Tom's Twist.  A forward crack, twist the whip, forward crack, twist again and keep going like that all the way around.  It shows the loop forming even when the whip isn't being cracked from the perfect position.  This really made me smile when I realized how good it was.  ((and I'm so tired that precious little makes me smile))  Ok ok, lets check it out!
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Happy Birthday Dad!

3/3/2014

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My Dad and I have always been close but over the years I've gotten super weird.  Its hard to talk to me when all I care about is autism research, gluten fee diets, homeopathy, cosmetology, meditation and a million other whoooy/girly things.  My Dad has always been there for me through all the hardest times and even when he didn't know what the heck I was talking about.  I'll love him forever for that. 

This year I started my whip business and we finally had something to bond over again.  My Dad has run his own business almost all my life so he gets what a leap of faith it is to be your own boss.  I'm brought to tears when I think of how much he has done for me recently.   He got me a good camera and also bought me a ton of paracord when I found a good deal.  Not only that but he is willing to listen to me go on and on ... and ON about whips.  Having someone to talk it all out with has been the biggest gift.


I thought it was only fitting that I use some of the paracord he bought to make him a whip.  I gave myself a lot of creative freedom with this whip and tried out knots and plaiting patterns I have never done before.  I'm happy to say that it turned out amazing.  Not only is it pretty, it is just the perfect length to have a lot of fun with.

Dad, I hope you love this whip and you HAVE to learn how to use it because it would be a crime to let it set.  Happy Birthday!!!  I love you!
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A special target set for Ric 

3/3/2014

3 Comments

 
Over the last year I have gotten to know a wonderful Gentleman named Ric.  He is such a great guy, I've truly enjoyed our conversations.

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Ric also makes the worlds best crackers for whips.  He has it down to a science.  Everything is calculated like the strand number, length and tension of the twist.  I was the lucky recipient of a care package of crackers and I'm telling you that they are the most beautiful I have ever seen and they don't wear out like other crackers do.  He does sell them so, if you are interested, let me know and I'll hook you up with his contact info.

Ric was a defense contractor for most of his working career for the military and specifically for the 101st Airborne.  He told me that he wanted his whips to to be light desert camo and dark desert camo to honor the fallen of the 101st Airborne from Operation Desert Storm. 

I thought that was an amazing idea.  I love the symbolism.   It took some extra time locating the emblems for the end knobs and the exact perfect shade of camo but it was all worth it.  I even learned two new knots to put on these whips because I thought they deserved something special.

I love these whips so much and I really hope you get years of enjoyment out of them, Ric. 



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3 Comments

Earth-tone overload

3/2/2014

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About a month ago I posted a photo of a pretty tan and black whip.  I liked it a lot....  and so did everyone else!

I've been flooded with orders for similar whips and I feel like I am drowning in a sea of tan, beige, and a desert camo.  Browns are not my favorite so I am struggling not to be too depressed.  I feel like I have the worst case of
Déjà vu .  I'll never complain again about doing another Dragon's Tail!!  LOL!

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A custom whip for Randal

3/2/2014

1 Comment

 
This whip is another idea brought to you by Randal Bodlak, owner of Bay side Martial arts studio.  This is the third whip I have made for Randal this year and two of them have been the most fun and unusual of all the whips I have made so far.  I get the feeling that fun and adventure just follow Randal around.

This whip has the same curve as the original Bodlak whip but with a totally different flavor.  It is 4 1/2 foot, 12 plait with a heavy fall.  The handle was made by Randal.  It has wood, antler, a brass grommet and steel ball barrings.  My husband said that if Conan the barbarian had a whip, it would look just like this one.

Randal wanted 4 different colors on his whip and for the thong to fade from dark to light.  I decided that
to keep the feel of the the handle I would make the plaiting very organic and random.  I loved doing something different than a serpent design.

Hopefully Randal will let me use some video of him working with the curved handled whips because he is Amazing to watch.  (I'll keep you posted on that)

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    Bobbi

    I wear a lot of hats!  I'm a homeschool Mom, Autism advocate, Jewelry maker, cosmetologist, gardener, spiritual adviser....and happy to be a Full time Whipstress whip-maker of HolyOak  Whips.

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    How to care for your whip

    How to attach a cracker

    Ric Boyd Falls

    Carenvall cracker attachment

    TW & SA Differences
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    "One small crack does not mean that you are broken,  It means you were put to the test and didn't fall apart."

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This website itself and ALL content, including Photographs are copyrighted.   All of the images on this website are copyrighted by Bobbi HolyOak,  Jos Motterstead, Daniel Trout and Jennifer Trout and are protected by international copyright law.  You may not use or reproduce them in any way without my written permission.

Whips are a lot of fun but they are not toys.  Make sure to always wear safety gear and practice well away from other people and animals.  Never hit anyone with your whip.  Bobbi HolyOak and HolyOak whips are not responsible for  any injury to person or property incurred by the use/miss use of our whips.  Have fun, be smart, be safe  and keep on cracking!

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