PyramidBlaster
New member
Greetings!
I'm an Indyfan from the time I saw ROTLA in June '81...And I've never looked back.
I?m a regular on another forum or two, but I wanted to make sure I didn?t miss anything?So here I am!
Needless to say, KOTCS is going to be HUGE, and i've been gearing back up for the last two months...My duds were in a pitiable shape! I'm looking to make the premiere a great bash...Which explains why I've found myself here. ... I'm looking to network with any Florida Indyfans to put together some sort of gathering for the premiere! Who's with me?
Oh, and if any of you Floridians are into filmmaking...I'm totally down with that, too...Time for a fan film! (or ANY film, for that matter!)
As for me, I've done a good bit of leatherwork, and put my skills to work for things like the Gunbelt, Holster, Bag-strap, and whip holder.
OH, another thing of note? I'm a self-taught whipmaster. I got my first 12' Cattle Baron bullwhip at the tender (trust me, after three months of teaching myself in the backyard---this term is spot-on) age of 16. I began making whips in 1994, and have paid close attention to each result, experimenting with the formula, materials, etc. for years. I've now been cracking a whip for over 21 years!
Up to this point, only my best friend and myself own these whips---Many have suggested I sell them, but up until now, I have relegated them to the 'experimental' category, and would not want to offer them until I feel they're ready. I may truly never sell them, because after spending so much time making them...It's hard to let them go.
I hit a roadblock back around 2000 when I finished a massive, heavy latigo 20' monster, that I was quite disappointed in...Just too heavy. I dropped out for a while to raise kids, but was brought back into the fold when I discovered a local Whip Enthusiasts group. That first meeting totally opened my eyes.
Not only did I get lots of great, knowledgeable feedback on my designs, but I got to get a feel for others' work---including a number of David Morgan whips. I also noticed most people in the group were using high-quality nylon whips...Something I scoffed at as a purist over the years, but using these whips changed my whole outlook.
So, I began building whips again---This time experimenting in nylon. I even revisited that 20 footer, and improved it immensely.
It has been an incredible experience---In the year after that first meeting, I made more progress in my whip form than in the previous 19. I can now crack with both hands---and my target work is the best it's ever been. I can 'Australian cross' two 8/10/12-foot whips at once, or mismatched sizes...And I have video to prove it...
Now, I feel I've finally gotten to the point in my work where I feel I'm making a really decent whip---And the feedback from the group members has reinforced this.
I'm in the process of making three Indy-style whips in time for the upcoming film. They will be rust-colored nylon, 16 plait, 12' and 10' models. The 12' is already done:
This is what I typically carry in 'gear'---and it's what I trained on.
So...I'm waiting for the last few items to arrive, like a replacement Jacket...(MUCH nicer than the one I can no longer fit.) I?m waxing nostalgic, braiding whips, and talking to some great Indyfans.
Shout out if you?re a Florida Indyfan!
I'm an Indyfan from the time I saw ROTLA in June '81...And I've never looked back.
I?m a regular on another forum or two, but I wanted to make sure I didn?t miss anything?So here I am!
Needless to say, KOTCS is going to be HUGE, and i've been gearing back up for the last two months...My duds were in a pitiable shape! I'm looking to make the premiere a great bash...Which explains why I've found myself here. ... I'm looking to network with any Florida Indyfans to put together some sort of gathering for the premiere! Who's with me?
Oh, and if any of you Floridians are into filmmaking...I'm totally down with that, too...Time for a fan film! (or ANY film, for that matter!)
As for me, I've done a good bit of leatherwork, and put my skills to work for things like the Gunbelt, Holster, Bag-strap, and whip holder.
OH, another thing of note? I'm a self-taught whipmaster. I got my first 12' Cattle Baron bullwhip at the tender (trust me, after three months of teaching myself in the backyard---this term is spot-on) age of 16. I began making whips in 1994, and have paid close attention to each result, experimenting with the formula, materials, etc. for years. I've now been cracking a whip for over 21 years!
Up to this point, only my best friend and myself own these whips---Many have suggested I sell them, but up until now, I have relegated them to the 'experimental' category, and would not want to offer them until I feel they're ready. I may truly never sell them, because after spending so much time making them...It's hard to let them go.
I hit a roadblock back around 2000 when I finished a massive, heavy latigo 20' monster, that I was quite disappointed in...Just too heavy. I dropped out for a while to raise kids, but was brought back into the fold when I discovered a local Whip Enthusiasts group. That first meeting totally opened my eyes.
Not only did I get lots of great, knowledgeable feedback on my designs, but I got to get a feel for others' work---including a number of David Morgan whips. I also noticed most people in the group were using high-quality nylon whips...Something I scoffed at as a purist over the years, but using these whips changed my whole outlook.
So, I began building whips again---This time experimenting in nylon. I even revisited that 20 footer, and improved it immensely.
It has been an incredible experience---In the year after that first meeting, I made more progress in my whip form than in the previous 19. I can now crack with both hands---and my target work is the best it's ever been. I can 'Australian cross' two 8/10/12-foot whips at once, or mismatched sizes...And I have video to prove it...
Now, I feel I've finally gotten to the point in my work where I feel I'm making a really decent whip---And the feedback from the group members has reinforced this.
I'm in the process of making three Indy-style whips in time for the upcoming film. They will be rust-colored nylon, 16 plait, 12' and 10' models. The 12' is already done:
This is what I typically carry in 'gear'---and it's what I trained on.
So...I'm waiting for the last few items to arrive, like a replacement Jacket...(MUCH nicer than the one I can no longer fit.) I?m waxing nostalgic, braiding whips, and talking to some great Indyfans.
Shout out if you?re a Florida Indyfan!
