WHIP MAINTANENCE

     The term ‘Bullwhip’ is a specifically designed single tail whip that has a fall and optional crackers or poppers.  The Bullwhip is legendary with the old west of America and buckaroos in Australia.  Introduced to the United States by Spanish Vaqueros, the Bullwhip was the tool of the original cowboy.
    As with many European cultures, creative pastimes included a way of life and the Spanish where experienced and adept rawhide braiders, using cattle hide leather, tanned with alum and Gambier, the famous brand name being Latigo.  This process was used for other things such as saddler work and saddle strings and was a lesser quality than the real leather that the Spanish Vaqueros used for Bullwhips.
    Initially the Bullwhip was designed expressly for driving cattle something the Spanish Vaqueros where adept at and used as a stockman’s tool.  Usually used on horseback, the longer whip would be used to get closer to the cattle without the cowboy dismounting.
    Bullwhips come made from nylon or leather, it is said that a nylon whip does not care about the weather, no matter what it is from freezing to heat waves; a nylon whip will not be affected.  Nevertheless, it still needs that care and maintenance.  However, there is no comparison when it comes to the leather whip, the feel, the smell the great artisanship that goes into a leather whip.  The original hide determines the quality of the leather, scars in the hide will make it weaker, the softer and stretchier the leather is, then the more susceptible it is to breakage.
    There are many facets about the care of whips, all whipsters want the most life they can get from their whip, and not leaving it exposed to the elements is a good start. After each session with your whip treat it with a light coat of leather dressing, the fall is the part of the whip that will wear out first, and so to save it wearing faster you will want to use more leather dressing.      
    Cracking your whip on concrete or cement will wear the cracker and fall out faster than anything, and of course other abusive tactics.  Moving faster than a speeding bullet the moving whip can travel at over 1400 feet per second.
      The most dangerous point of cracking a whip is the moment it cracks at this time it is usually fully extended. The best whips for weapon use are the shorter whips, longer whips can be used with an alternative set of techniques, the speeding whip can disarm the opponent, wrap a body or neck, and if you wrap the knee, a small tug will cause a person to drop to their knees.
     The most dangerous part of the whip is the popper or cracker if it flips back it could pull your eye out, or peel a lump of flesh from somewhere on your exposed body, such as bare arms, legs and head.  It has been known to slice flesh and break bones.  However, a novice could not achieve this type of crack or pop. But it has happened and so caution is always first priority.
     The conservation of energy within the whip is what generates the speed of the cracker or popper at the end of the whip.   The crack or pop, is the result of the whip moving faster than the speed of sound.  A small amount of energy emanating from the handle accelerates along the diminishing diameter of the thong until it reaches the popper that is doing more than 700 mph by this time.
     Having said all this, the only solution is being safe.  Take precautions because the end of the whip could do a lot of damage, and when it all boils down to it, you are at the other end of the whip. However, by cautiously learning and being safety conscious you will no doubt save yourself, others and obstacles a lot of grief and pain.
     It  cannot be emphasized enough, the reminder about pain and tearing a whip can create, these whips are not toys and can be dangerous if not used properly.
     Owning a bullwhip and using it properly can be fun and rewarding, as you pursue your passion remember safety.