Bullwhip, 8 ft., Natural Tan by David Morgan

Good whips, properly used and maintained, should give long service. Physical damage such as hitting on sharp objects, gravel, concrete etc., being jammed in doors or truck tailgates, or chewed by dogs or poddy calves, obviously will destroy a whip quickly. Care in three other aspects will help you gain the most from your braided leather whip.

1. Dirt and sand embedded in the whip will cause internal wear. Dirt can be washed out with warm soapy water, the whip dried (without heat) and then given a heavy coat of leather dressing.
2. Using the whip with excessive force, as in seeking the loudest possible crack, will cause early breakage of falls and stretch the thong, so altering the taper. The usual and preferred crack is that attained with minimum force. A strong wrist action will over-stress the keeper on a stock whip or the junction of thong to butt section on a bullwhip, and will cause early failure. Normal use of these whips should employ very little wrist force.
3. Leather dressing is important. A dry whip loses its strength, and one with the wrong dressing may lose strength and/or stretch out of shape. Do not dress a whip with tallow, neatsfoot oil, or any light oils. We recommend Pecard Leather Dressing. Whips to be stored should be kept in light cool conditions, and given a thin coat of Pecard Dressing every six months. Whips in use may be dressed somewhat more often. Whips used in hot, dry, or dusty conditions, and whips used in the wet, may need frequent dressing. Falls on whips last better if kept well dressed at all times.

Indiana Jones Bullwhips

The 450 series bullwhips, our own production, were used in the Indiana Jones movies. This whip, as the No. 453 8 ft. length or the No. 455 10 ft. length, became an icon when it was so skillfully woven into the story by Glenn Randall, the stunt director for the first movie. It became a recognized part of the Indiana Jones character, and an ongoing factor in maintaining the suspense of the story.

Equally as important the association of this whip with these outstanding movies led to a resurgence in interest in whips in movies, stage performances, and in sport whipcracking. There are now large numbers of Indiana Jones fans, many cracking whips.

We supplied over 30 bull whips of the 450 series for the first three Indiana Jones movies. These ranged in length from 6 feet to 16 feet. The standard length carried in the movies was the No. 455 10 ft. Bull Whip. The other lengths were used in special stunts. All were in the natural tan color.

In addition to our whips, a child’s whip made by Swayne, Adney and Brigg’s was used in a scene from Indiana Jones’ youth.

In 2007 we supplied one 453 8 ft. Bullwhip and five No. 455 10 ft. Bullwhip to LucasFilm for Harrison Ford’s preproduction training and for the upcoming movie Indiana Jones 4: the Kingdom of the Crystal Skulls. Additionally we provided two special whips, one 12 ft length and one 16 ft. length, with either polyester or nylon line running down the center extending 30′ past the end of the braid. All of the whips were 12 plait natural tan kangaroo hide.