Judging Whips

[Handstitched]

G'Day,

I have been granted the very honourable position of Judging leatherwork at a large popular show this year....and its my first time.

It was my understanding there was some difficulty in finding a Judge this year for the leatherwork section, and if I didn't accept the position, it would have been granted to a 'General Judge' ( that judges everything if a Judge can't be found) , that , ( with great respect) may not know too much about leatherwork, so with my experience behind me , I took the position.

I've been doing leatherwork for almost 10 years now ( thats gone quick ) , and I know from experience what to look out for when it comes to bags , belts, etc the quality of the tooling, carving , attention to detail , craftmanship, functionality and so on.

However, when it comes to whips and braiding, I know a quailty made whip or a quality braid but is there anything that I should be looking out for?

I have done some plaiting, but not whip making.

Am I excited? you betchya!! Am I nervous.........just a little bit

Thanks for any advice.

Handstitched

[oltoot]

staightness of braid lines, smooth transitions if thong is tapered. Smooth attachment of thong to fall. Smooth feeling thong and handle. If multicolored, harmonizing of colors. etc etc etcetera

[GrampaJoel]

I'd also add whether the lace has been beveled.

Or if it was left un-beveled on purpose.

Finishing of the bite ends.

Joel

[Peter T]

G'day Handstitched,

There are two main things you will need to judge the whips on. One is how it looks and the other is how it performs. All the things said so far are good things to look for with the plaiting side of things. Also look for even width of strands. Uneven strands will lead to either gaps in the plaiting or twisting of the seams. Sounds like you've got an eye for quality so you shouldn't have too much dramas there.

Not sure of your experience with whipcracking, but give them a crack. Having entered quite a number of whipmaking comps, how the whip performs is critical to the result. It doesn't matter how good or fancy it looks, if it doesn't crack well then it's not much good. I've seen some very finely and beautifully plaited whips not place highly or at all in some comps due to the fact they didn't perform as well as other whips.

Hope this helps. Enjoy your judging experience!

Pete

[Handstitched]

G'day again,

Thank you all very much for your great advice, its all been very helpful, especially Peter T. I have just over month to go before I go to the show to Judge.

I could always buy myself a good affordable whip from a reputable supplier to practice my whip cracking, as I don't want to look a complete goose on my big day. I know there is a knack to it.

Grampa Joel, I will keep the bevelling in mind, in fact , that could be a difficult one to judge on.

I would have to think very carefully, did they leave it un-bevelled on purpose, or was it an oversight?

but I would think bevelling would look nicer.

I think colours would look quite nice too.

Thanks once again,

Handstitched

[Handstitched]

G'Day ,

I got my new whip today to practice cracking whips for Judging at a show coming up mid Sept.

Its a 7' 6 plait stock whip, cane handle , red hide, and VERY well made.

Peter T, you may well know the maker. Nemeth Whips ( Brain Nemeth...and family ) of Queensland.

pretty much identicle to this one:

http://www.everythingaustralian.com.au/products/whip-wood.jpg

I can't help but keep sniffing it!! Smells wonderful !!

All I have to do now........is practice

All the best

Handstitched

[Peter T]

G'day Handstitched,

I sure admire the effort you are going to in your position as judge. It's great to see and I reckon you'll do a fine job.

Yes I have met Brian Nemeth once. He was selling whips at a show in Queensland. Nice bloke. On his website he claims to have made more whips than anyone else in the world, somewhere between 80000 and 100000! I reckon if he hasn't made the most then he's got to be in the grand final! That's a lot of whips!

Hope you enjoy your new whip.

Pete

[Handstitched]

G'Day,

A bit more 'whip' news.

These last few weeks I've been so busy, but I have managed to get some whip practice in.

Youtube vids have been very helpful. Adam Winwich was one of them.

My first attempts were pretty dismal , with only limited and poor sounding 'cracks', more like 'flops' than cracks. My next attempts were a slight improvement, but still no definite "crack".

And in case anyones asks, yes, I have hit myself, quite a few times. But, no pain, no gain eh?

Anyway,just now, I went outside to practice some more .I have now developed my 'swing' after practicing the cattlemans crack, but only this time theres a definite loud "crack", loud enough for it to echo across the paddocks.......its even got my sheeps attention. (hope people don't mistaken it for gunshot!!)

That happened several times...YEY!! I want to do some more now !!! Quite pleased with myself actually.

But now my right arm is tired.( like I've just arm wrestled with Arnold Schwarzenegger)

No doubt in time my arm will strengthen and get used to doing stuff.....like...... cracking whips.

Might do some more this arvo.

All the best

Handstitched

[Peter T]

G'day Handstitched,

Have you done the judging for the show yet? Be sure to let us know how it went for you.

Pete

[Handstitched]

G'day Mate,

I left a message in your in box.

The big day is Friday 20th Sept. around 1.30- 2pm .

It'll be a long 2 1/2 - 3 hour drive from here to get there. Not looking forward to the city.

My whip cracking is doing quite well. the cracks are loud!!

I'll let everyone know how it all went, maybe over the weekend.

Best Regards,

HS