While I am waiting for own bailout, I put together a kit for beginners. I thought it would be a great idea to offer the kit with a bullwhip at an economical price.

Happily, whip maker Victor Tella liked the idea. I've known Victor a long time, so I know the quality of the man as well as his whips, and I am honored he thought highly enough about my idea to help.  He made a 5-foot bullwhip (8 plait) of kangaroo, a single hide with no dropped-in laces. This makes for a smooth and constant taper for the whip's whole length. Tella is actually this country's second or third biggest importer of kangaroo hides from Australia. I figured 5 feet would be long enough to get the hang-time experience but short enough to allow the whip to be used in just about any space. My own beloved 6-foot Mike Murphy's showed me that an 8-plait whip can be a match for any 12-plait or 16-plait if it is made by a top whip maker, and Tella is one of the best in the US, in my opinion.

I was also lucky enough to find a good source for safety glasses and goggles. The glasses are cool looking, they cover the whole eye orbit, and they cut out UV rays. The goggles are great for folks with smaller faces, like kids. The 4 pairs of ear plugs in the kit will hold you over until you can get more for yourself (even Lash LaRue was slightly deaf in one ear, according to my late friend Brian Chic). I've added a plastic cracker box and 3 extra crackers made by me. Further, I've included a whip holder that attaches to your belt. It's a simple one, not like Paul Nolan's beautiful whip holder, but it works well, using a Sam Browne-style button to hold the two leather flaps closed securely. It holds the whip firmly to your belt without slipping, and it releases the whip quickly and smoothly with a single motion. To top the kit off, I put in a signed copy of my book.

I wish there had been such a kit when I was starting out. It was put together with the idea of making beginning whip cracking safer and more fun.  You can get the kit without a whip for $19.95 (a $30.95 value), or you casn get the kit without the whip or the book for just $7.00, but I let you have the whole kit for free if you buy the 5-foot bullwhip for only $150.00. For the money, you can't beat this deal. If you already have a whip, and if you already have my book, you can get the cracker box, glasses/goggles, whip holder, etc. separately.

You can see it on the front page of my web site at www.bullwhip.net. Click on the link and the whole thing will unfold before your eyes. I'll have whips and kits with me at Mondo Fest XX in St Paul on Feb 19-20, and I will have copies of my book. I will present a workshop on bullwhip performing and I will videotape some of the action. It may wind up on YouTube. Stay tuned!

Best to you,
-R-