Re: I got another question, Dale....

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Posted by Dale Dassel from 207.16.245.26 on April 08, 1999 at 19:35:34:

In Reply to: I got another question, Dale.... posted by Joel E. on April 08, 1999 at 00:26:44:

: Dale, how do you use your whip, do you take it out a lot or do you use it more for display? As a kid we had cheaper whips and we beat the crap out of 'em....we did everything they did in the movies. I was just curious if you think the David Morgan could tolerate that kind of abuse, and if you think it'd hold your weight if you ever decided to swing across a pit or somethin'.....one more thing...does it sound as good as the movies when ya it? Thanks....

Okay, first off: I use my bullwhip a bit infrequently. It's
not used as a "display" item, but I do take it outside (only on
soft grass) and give it a little exercise every so often. Probably
moreso in the spring and summer. Although I recently purchased
a bullwhip video from David Morgan in order to hone my whip-
ing vocabulary, so I will be spending more time using it.
Yes, the bullwhip does work as advertised: It CAN and IS
capable of doing everything seen in the movies, but what looks
awesome onscreen is not necessarily good for the whip. Bear in
mind that the David Morgan bullwhip is top of the line, the best
money can buy, and I don't think anyone would want to ruin or
break a $400+ investment. Swinging from the whip puts undue stress
on the bellies and interior of the whip, and can do permanent
damage to the thong, or lash. You really wouldn't want to swing
on it because that's probably the worst thing you can do to a whip.
The next worse thing is hitting it on sharp and hard objects.
Using the whip on concrete surfaces, wrapping tree branches, and
using aluminum cans or glass bottles will do SERIOUS damage to
the strands. (If you refer to David Morgan's website it does
state that the strands are cut wide to resist damage and abrasion
that stuntmen put the whips through, but I still wouldn't add
fuel to the fire.) Basically, wood, concrete, and metal can and
will abrade and break strands, even though kangaroo leather is
the strongest leather in the world.
What the whip WILL do excellently is wraps and target cutting.
You can (with practice) take objects like balloons and styrofoam
plates out of a person's hand. You can also string these and other
soft targets on a clothesline for sequence hitting. The best targets
are things like pieces of paper, balloons, styrofoam plates, and
paper cups. These inexpensive items won't hurt the whip and provide
hours of challenging target hitting fun.
Lastly, you should NOT swing the whip fast and hard. Don't
jack it around trying to make a loud, awesome . This also
damages the interior of the whip. The most important part of the
bullwhip is the handle-to-thong section. You don't want to bend
it sharply. Don't coil the whip too and when you it,
use a light, but firm wrist action. Let your wrist be the sharp
flexing point, not the whip. Try to make it while keeping
the handle in a straight line with the thong. (I don't know how
much sense I'm making because, unfortunately, I can't be there
to show you.) What I can tell you is that the whip will gradually
feel like a natural extension of your arm, like you were born
with it. You can actually "feel" all the way down it. These whips
are shot loaded so when you throw it, it will go right where you
put it. (If you set up a video camera and do some throws and stuff
in front of it, you can play it back on your tv and see exactly
what I'm talking about.) The whip has a fast action. It will
cut and bruise a person if they are hit by it, so don't use
volunteers unless you are really good. (Just ask my dad!)
If you want a whip that will wrap good and readily,
then get the longer (10 ft. or 12 ft.) If you want a more
accurate whip for target hitting, get a 5 or 6 ft. The 8 ft. model
is a perfect intermediate whip which will well and is
fully capable of hitting targets. And yes, the bullwhip does sound
as good as it does in the films. (Depending on where you are, a
whip will like a shot with minimal wrist force if you
are in an open field, whereas it will "pop" if you are in an area
surrounded by a lot of buildings and stuff, which tend to absorb
most of the sound.)
Happy to be of service. Good luck with your new bullwhip!

-Dale Dassel

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