topcat
Posts: 1675
Joined: 1/31/2004 From: Tidewater, VA Status: offline
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Sir- my first reccomendation is for a minimum of a five foot bullwhip (bull whips are generally measured from the butt of the handle, to the end of the thong- NOT including the fall&cracker-) which is going to be an overall length of about seven feet. This is going to call for a clear area of about 20 feet at least, but a shorter whip is just not going to have any real differance in the work from a Snake or signal whip. With practice, you will be able to use it in tighter places- I can work my 2m (6.5 ft) bull within a area about twelve by sixteen, but that will come with time. You want a 'Dante' style fall and cracker, which will allow you to change them out for reasons of sanitation, and to alter the cracking/ impact characteristics. Style wise, you are going to find the the standard 'Deegan' or Eastcoast throw is just not going to work- I find a 'pig drovers' throw, a side throw, or circus throw to be the most useful (See:The Bullwhip Home Page). In Practicing, you will find it a tough change from the signalwhip. It will call for a slower, more tightly controlled throw, and it is WAY more likely to 'bite' the weilder- early experiments call for goggles, and a brimmed hat (unless you feel a one eyed, earless look desirable). Don't spend too long on the towel or pillow phase- once you have ranging down, switch to live targets. Towels don't talk back, and the difference between a brush and blood is still a matter of cm- but from eight feet away, it is way harder to judge. Get your First Whip in nylon from Rhett Kelley, and once you are sure that it's going to suit you, order your fancy going to church whip from Peter Jackson. Good Luck Stay warm, Lawrence
< Message edited by topcat -- 2/20/2006 7:00:13 PM >
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-there is no remission without blood-
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