Bullwhip Care

To properly care for whips, it is important to understand the different parts that a whip can have.  There are different kinds of whips including snakewhips, signalwhips, stockwhips and bullwhips.  Bullwhips can be as short as 8 feet and as long as 12 feet.  The main parts of a bullwhip are the handle which makes contact with the holder’s hand, the thong, the fall and the tip of the bullwhip.  The lash of the bullwhip is a plaited thong, while the tip is referred to as the cracker or popper.  

The cracker is simply a piece of thread connected to the fall and this component of the whip is responsible for the mini sonic boom sound that bullwhips can make.  Bullwhips could have multiple poppers, which are connected to the fall of the whip.  Also, the braided thong can have many fanciful designs and colours.  The bullwhip’s handle usually has an average length of ten inches and there are braided thongs that can extend as much as twenty feet.

Generally, bullwhips are quite heavy and have a variety of uses.  Bullwhips also require proper care and maintenance, depending on the type material the whip is made of.  There are synthetic bullwhips such as those made from nylon.  There are also leather bullwhips, which require significant care and maintenance. 

Depending on the design of the bullwhip, handles may be made of leather or wood. Typically, the lash or thong is made of braided leather.  Some bullwhips may not have the cracker tip.  Such whips can still make a loud sound, although not as loud as whips that do have the cracker tip.  There are different techniques which can be used to care for and maintain bullwhips.  Proper whip care and maintenance will enable the whip maintain it shape for many years and will also ensure that the whip continues to respond to the holder.

One way to care for bullwhips is to ensure that the whips do not get wet.  Wet bullwhips are ineffective and disheartening.  Apart from tarnishing the quality of the whip, wet and dirty whips are extremely difficult to use.  A wet handle will make the whip slippery and can damage the leather.  Wet whips can also lead to injury because the user is unable to control or handle the whip properly.  Also, damp leather is prone to mold and mildew which causes the bullwhip to begin to smell and deteriorate.  It can be difficult to recover from a mildew-infested phase.  Hence, it is best to avoid dirt and moisture entirely. Frequently using a dry cloth to clean the bullwhip after use can also help to prevent dirt from building up.

To protect bullwhips from grime and moisture, it is best to keep bullwhips in dry areas or enclosed in a sealed container when not in use.  If dust builds up within the whip, it can cause it to kink or lose its flexibility.  Dirt on the whip can also lead to leather erosion or tear.  If bullwhips do get wet, use a dry cloth to remove any excessive moisture.  Then straighten out the whip to prevent any kinks that could arise.  Hang the wet bullwhip in a well-ventilated area to dry.  

Generally, to keep bullwhips clean and dry, care should be taken to use the whips where there is a reduced probability of encountering moisture.  For example, sandy locations will cause particles of sand to become embedded in braid of the whip.  Even with brushes and cleaning cloths, such sand particles could be difficult to entirely remove from the whip.  Hence, avoidance is the right strategy.