Blog Archives

How to attach a cracker

8/30/2013

At some point you are going to need to replace your cracker. It is really easy and you'll be a pro at it in no time.

First make a loop in the tail of your fall with the loose end on the top. Put your cracker through the circle and put the cracker loop around the end of the fall. Hold the end of the cracker and the tip of the fall with one hand. Hold the other part of the fall with your other hand and gently pull tight. When you get it in the right location, close to the end, work it as tight as you can. If you have a leather fall, you want the end result to look like a strait fall with a cracker tied around it. If you have a nylon fall, you want it to look like the cracker is strait and the fall is tied around it. You use the same set up for both. The difference is all in the way you pull it tight.

This is easier if you see it, so here are a couple pictures.

Its just that easy!

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How to make whips- a review

8/28/2013

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volley whips by Peter Jack

If you are thinking of learning how to build whips I highly recommend How to make whips by Ron Edwards.

I love this book so much because it details how to do everything from cut leather, making your own dressing, plaiting from 16 down to 4 as well as shows how to make pretty patterns. I have highlighted and taken so many notes in the margins of this book that I need to buy another one to keep in good shape.

The illustrations in this book are great and done by the author. I feel they give you a special insight into the thought process of Ron Edwards and a small glimpse through his eyes. I love when he captions who the subject of the art work is.

It is pretty clear from the beginning of this book that his first love is the Australian stock whip. Most of the information in this book is to help you build a stock whip. There is a short chapter on bullwhips and one on snake whips. (Very short)

Ron isn't going to tell you how to make a paracord whip and he says flat out that he has no use for them.

With that said, there is so much information that is usable for both bullwhips and paracord whips. You just have to think about it in a different context.

If you are serious about learning to plait and want to get this book please be advised that he has 3 books out. This one has the info in the other two complied inside and the extra bonus that it is a big hard bound book that should last and last.

I love this book and I think you will too!

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8/28

8/28/2013

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This morning was beautiful. For the third day in a row I have been awakened to puddles and a quenched desert. It has been great not to have to rush right out and water the plants. Though, I haven't mowed the lawn in a week because of the moisture and it is getting pretty high.

I took my whip that I am lovingly calling the Beast out to play today. It was a mistake I made while trying to figure out the Tibetan Waves. It is fast becoming my favorite whip because it is fast and LOUD.

The air felt like fall with a little crisp bite and the wet grass was deliciously cold on my bare feet. I love this time of year more than anything.

There I was in my groove, feeling the energy rise and making the rhythm go faster and stronger....

Thats when I heard it.

Just a small rustle of leaves and a slight rattle of the fence.

I turned around to find a small boy in a blue T shirt crouched between the fence and the tomatoes. "Hey, Lady." he says "Whatcha do'n?".

I tell him I am playing and ask what he is doing and how he got to be in my back yard.

It turns out that his name is Bryan and that he was down at the parts store with his dad when the sound of the whip grabbed him like the song of a siren and he had to follow. He sneaked off and climbed the concrete retaining wall and shimmied up the cliff full of goat heads and cactus just to check it out. I told him he better let his dad know where he was and if it was ok with dad he could stay for a while. I watched him sprint off under the trees and smiled to my self.

I didn't know if my little friend would come back but I figured he wouldn't. I was surprised when he did come with Dad in tow. I spent a few minutes talking to them and showing them some cracks. Bryan was dying to give it a try and dad said it was ok so I let him go for it. It wasn't too long before he made the cattlmans crack work.

I will never forget the look of surprise and delight on his face.

And just like that.....
The world has another young crack addict.

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8/25

8/25/2013

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It is peach picking time here in Moab. I have all these trees to get done but mother nature had different plans. It rained and rained all day. This is something that almost never happens in the desert. It was nice and warm though so I got to do some cracking in the storm. If you have never played with your whip in the rain I highly recommend it. After a few minutes the spray starts coming off the cracker and it looks like little explosions all around. It is a pretty thrilling thing.

Then I had some time to put together two cores and two bellies for a matched pair of 7 foot bullwhips. It has been an easy day but sill pretty productive. ...maybe tomorrow I'll get to the peaches.

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whip as self defense demo

8/23/2013

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This is a cool little video about how to use a whips as a self defense tool. Added bonus that it is another girl power video.

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Tibetan wave bull

8/23/2013

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This Tibetan wave is a bit different. It is 14 plait on the handle and first 6inces of the thong. and then drops quickly down to 12 for the double diamond pattern.

I was trying to figure out a problem with the diameter. The client who ordered this wanted a very specific handle diameter for the end result. The problem is that the 16 plait bunched at the diamond pattern and I couldn't drop strands from where I needed too and the 12 plait gaped at the top of the thong.

14 plait fixed the problem. It is a number I haven't seen any other whip makers use.... probably because it was a pain in the bum.

This picture doesn't do the whip justice. I love how the maroon and yellow look together. I will definitely use that combo again.

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out of the closet

8/22/2013

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In the wee early hours of the morning (1:30am) I invited all my friends to check out this site and my new crazy whip idea.

I didn't really know what to expect. I'm a little reclusive by nature and don't have any love for the spotlight.

Today I have been showered with phone calls and emails all wishing me success and abundance.

I'm totally humbled. I have had a grateful tear in my eye more than a few times today. I'm just so amazed at the support I have been getting. I always knew my people were amazing... but I never realized that everyone would reach back when I reached out. I feel so loved.

Thank you thank you, family of my Heart, You have taught me that I am seen, safe and understood. I love you all!

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Sylvia

8/21/2013

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Check out this video! I think it is super cool and full of girl power!

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Phoenix's Cow whip

8/21/2013

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This is a six foot cow whip I made as a birthday present for a cool little boy named Phoenix.

This was one of my first attempts at making a wooden handle. I tried to do one that was smaller and shaped a bit like a baseball bat. I really love how this turned out.

I gave this to Phoenix and he didn't even wait to go out side to test it out! Good thing there was nothing in his path that he could hurt. You gotta love a kid with no fear right?

pipe whips

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3 color 5 foot bullwhip

8/21/2013

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Burgundy, black and white...... This is the first whip I have made in this tri-color design and I really love it. It was a bit of a thought process figuring out how to do the start with out making it have a bump but I think it turned out amazing! Its fast and easy to crack.

It was hard for me to ship this one off. I wanted to keep it around to show people.

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Beginning a new venture!

8/21/2013

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Well, its official folks, I'm a full time whip maker!

The idea of it is both thrilling and chilling at the same time. I mean, it makes me so happy and energized at the same time I am ignoring that voice in the back of my head (That sounds a lot like my Mum) asking me what the heck I'm thinking.

Thinking..... well that just went right out the window. I'm just following my heart right now and finding the joy and exhilaration that comes with jumping over the edge into the unknown.

Wish me luck!

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What's going on at HolyOak Whips?

How to attach a cracker

How to make whips- a review

8/28

8/25

whip as self defense demo

Tibetan wave bull

out of the closet

Sylvia

Phoenix's Cow whip

3 color 5 foot bullwhip

Beginning a new venture!

Bobbi

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