Blog Archives

Sonic Alignment for Richard

4/28/2014

Richard is a cool guy that just happens to be good friends with Dave from my last post. It has been really cool doing these two whips together knowing that they will probably be tested out by both men. I'm glad that they ordered different lengths and weights.

This whip is a 7 foot, 14 plait, Sonic Alignment, in black and silver. It turned out lovely.

again... the test crack video was a bust for the same windy reason. (sorry)

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Dave's Sonic Alignment.

4/28/2014

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I have been emailing with a nice guy named Dave from Wyoming. One day he is going to be a rock star whip maker. I'll be able to say "I knew him when..."

I like him very much so it has been my pleasure to build him this Sonic Alignment. The whip is 6 foot, 12 plait with a heavy fall. I really love the brown and tan combo and I think this whip turned out particularly nice.

I did ((try)) to make a test crack video but the wind is blowing like a hurricane today and the footage was useless. Sorry, Dave. I hope you love the whip.

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Mach One- Whip Artistry

4/26/2014

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I'm a big fan of following your dreams and allowing your passions support you. Lets face it, life is way too short to do anything other than that.

This is the reason I am so thrilled to share this new website created by my friend Daniel. I'm very proud of him for putting himself out there so he can bee seen. He told me that he wants to teach everyone how to "meditate at mach one". Now, that is an idea that I can get behind!

Mach One- Whip Artistry has a little bit of everything to do with whips. History, links, a blog and the opportunity to find and take some fun classes from Daniel.

Here is a little info from the site.

"MACH ONE Whip Artistry provides both informational presentations on whip history, function and artistry, as well as hands-on whip training in the form of one-on-one lessons, ongoing group classes, and intensive one and two day workshops.

While the content of the courses will predominantly follow a unique approach to the whip that we have developed over the years, the structure of any of these courses or presentations can be tailored specifically to the needs of the students."

Beginner/Introductory courses will generally cover the following topics.

Brief overview Whip history, design, and use
The Anatomy of an Australian construction bullwhip
The physics of a cracking whip
Whip safety for whip performer, audience and fellow performance partners
The basic "Do's and Don'ts" of whip cracking
General whip care and maintenance for both nylon and leather whips
Selecting a good whip: What makes a good whip, How to evaluate a whip, What to look for, what to avoid

Beginner/Introductory courses will teach the following whip handling techniques

Grip, posture, stance
Whip curvature and cracking orientation
"The Box" and "The Railroad Tracks" visualizations, (i.e. "How to not hit yourself")
The two types of whip cracks, and "The 360 Degree Rule"
The different planes of motion
Crack combinations, "changing planes" and building routines
Cracking with the non-dominant "off" hand
Introduction to target cutting and wraps
Basic whip "Tricks"

Congratulations and good luck on this adventure, Dan!

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A cool whip for Chris

4/16/2014

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Chris is one of the few people who have ordered a whip that I'm actually friends with in person.. I made him a Dragon's Tail at Christmas time and he just took off with it. Like so many of us "crack addicts" the next thing he needed after new crackers, was a bigger whip!

We decided on an 8 foot, 16 plait, Sonic alignment with a 12 inch handle and a heavy 3 foot fall.

I think this one is very beautiful. I took so many pictures of it because it just looked good no matter where I put it.

No video on this one because I'm hoping that Chris will just come over and let me show him in person.

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Introducing Ric Boyd Crackers and Falls

4/15/2014

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A while ago I made a special pair of target whips for my friend Ric. They are super cool, check them out here.

Yesterday, I received the most amazing care package full of crackers of every color of the rainbow and falls that perfectly match my Tibetan Wave style whips. I was, seriously, so touched that it brought tears to my eyes.

These weren't just any falls and crackers they were the Most Beautiful ones on the planet! Falls with 3 and 4 colors crackers that perfectly matched.... Of course I had to call Ric right up and gush about what an artist he is.

During our conversation, I asked Ric if he would consider making them for my customers. I'm thrilled to say that he agreed!

It is now an option to upgrade your whip with a fall that matches it exactly or to spice it up with bright and fun colors. Never again do you have to guard your Dragon's Tail in that sea of other Tibetan Wave whips in the class... you can attach a cool fall that makes your whip totally unique and easy to spot.

The falls are 2 1/2 foot long, have 2 to 3 colors and are slightly heavier. Just perfect for targeting. The crackers are made from very durable nylon thread and are twisted in such a way that they do not tangle or knot up. They are between 5 and 7 inches long depending on the length of the whip. Ric offers a light version for precision work and a heavier version for those who power crack.

You can find them on my store front page, sold separately as well as in a combo.

I am so excited to share this with everyone! These are SO cool. The pictures don't begin to do them justice.

Thanks for agreeing to this, Ric! xox

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Ian's whip

4/14/2014

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I made a new friend named Ian and one of the every first things he told me was the he is really a kid at heart. He loves Renaissance fairs and dressing up. Ian told me he wanted a whip inspired by the Incredible Hulk. I liked this idea very much and think it turned out nice.

Ian, I need a picture of you with this whip!

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Tibetan Waves for Tobias

4/3/2014

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These two whips are making their way to Germany to one of GM Ron Lew's students. They should get there in enough time for Tobias to practice some cool moves before Ron arrives there next month.

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Whips for the Waldmans'

4/3/2014

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I'm friends with another whip maker named Rhett Kelley. A few weeks ago he was telling me about these really cool boys. While most boys there age are sucked into the computer and playing video games, these boys are out working on whip routines for shows and fundraisers. The are so young and so talented. I'm really impressed with them.

Sadly, they have had tradgety strike. The family barn burned down with all their whips inside. It makes me think that if they hadn't been such good boys and put away their whips every time, maybe one or two would have been spared.

Several whip makers have gotten together to help replace the whips and get these boys cracking again. These are the whips I made for them.

Check out this video of their cool moves!

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Carenvall cracker attachment

4/2/2014

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Recently am getting acquainted with a man named Lasse Carenvall. He is a whip maker from Sweden. He makes much much more than whips. He offers so many wonderful things like hatchets with plaited handles, monkey fists, bracelets, lanyards and bottles covered with beautiful braiding, just to name a few things. Check out his website Here

I have talked about how to attach crackers before but Lasse has come up with a really easy new way that doesn't slip off. It is particularly good for leather whips. He gave me permission to share his idea with everyone. I can't describe it any better than he did, so what follows are his own words and drawings. Thanks for letting me share this Lasse!!

"I make my crackers from long-fibered multifilament polyester (PE). It has several good sides, but being slippery is definitely not one of those. I wax the fibers, which improve that and makes the cracker a bit stiffer, but using conventional cracker hitches, they still had a tendency to gradually work loose and suddenly disappear into thin air when they slip off. What I needed was a way to tie it on that actually worked itself tighter with use! It also had to be quick & simple to tie.

After browsing my ABOK (Ashley Book Of Knots) for some inspiration, I came up with this solution. Technically speaking it is a combination of knots, not a knot per se.

1: Make a small noose of the loop end of the cracker and put the end of the fall into it. Pull tight!

2: Lead the cracker around the fall, in the direction that pulls the noose tighter (important point!).

Pass the cracker end over the standing part, under and out. In other words, make sure that the cracker goes around itself and comes out parallel to the fall, towards the point of the fall! This makes an Overhand Knot, not just a half hitch. Pull the knot tight and make sure the overhand knot is as close to the noose as you can make it!

Repeat step #2, just to make sure. Technically, it could be repeated one more time, giving three knots instead of two, but so far I have never seen any need for it.

I repeat: It is vital that the cracker is tied around the fall in the way shown in step 2, going over-under and out pointing towards the fall end. This makes it an actual knot, an “overhand knot”, not just a half hitch!

It also aligns the cracker with the fall, pointing it outwards. When the whip is used the force pulls the cracker outwards. This pulls the overhand knots tighter and tighter, making the cracker hitch “bite” into the fall instead of slipping. At least that is the theory, but it seems to work in practice, too.

So far I have not had any cracker “escape” by slipping off the fall and fly away. I have had one report so far of the cracker coming off, but it turned out to be because the person using the whip had applied way too much force, “overcharging” the whip, making the end of the fall snap and get torn off – but still with the cracker firmly attached to it!

So, try it if you like! I just would like to ask you two things: Remember where you saw it first ( ), and also that I would appreciate your feedback."

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What's going on at HolyOak Whips?

Sonic Alignment for Richard

Dave's Sonic Alignment.

Mach One- Whip Artistry

A cool whip for Chris

Introducing Ric Boyd Crackers and Falls

Ian's whip

Tibetan Waves for Tobias

Whips for the Waldmans'

Carenvall cracker attachment

Bobbi

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