For many people in the UK, especially
those who never use a whip out of doors, the signal whip (or
singletail) is their first taste of whip
cracking. Signal whips are short whips with plaited-in crackers and no
falls,
easy to crack and fast to learn with. Shorter overall than
other whips, they can comfortably be used in spaces where snake
whips and bullwhips
can't. I make them with indoor target work in mind.
A signal whip's clean lines and smooth
taper make for an elegant whip that is a pleasure to use and
own. As with the more traditional snake whip, the lack of solid
handle means that it is easier to pack away than a bull or
stock whip, while the lack of fall gives it an
advantage over a snake whip, in that it can be more easily used where
space is at a premium: a five foot signal whip has a similar
range to a three foot snake whip.
All of my signal whips
have the following
common features:
Dense, responsive
thong with a tightly plaited
overlay.
100% kangaroo hide leather used throughout.
Tightly packed leather shot sack providing a
dense core, with the weight carried well out for easy cracking.
Decorative turk's
head handpart - typically a gaucho knot.
Long nylon cracker with
three knots for longevity.
NB:Whips
with plaited-in crackers have been around since Victorian times;
but it is the combination of the snake whip belly and
permanently attached cracker that, to my mind, sets the signal
whip apart from other whips as the most elegant and functional
design possible in a very short whip. It is possible to make a
whip with no fall and a changeable cracker but I believe that doing so inevitably compromises either the aesthetic or the
performance of the whip; and seems a shame when you can very
easily tie a second cracker onto the end, if and when the need
arises. So the only signal
whips I make, are ones with plaited-in crackers. As long as you
are not careless, a cracker on a heavily used signal whip can last
five years or more; and can be replaced, when the time comes, by most whip makers for a small fee.
Everything
on this page is made to order. Email
me or call me to place
an order for a whip made especially for you. Payment can be
made with your credit card via secure online invoicing, or
through the post by cheque, Postal Order, etc made out to
'English Whips'. Check out the ordering
page for more details.
Turn around times typically
hover around 10 weeks - see my blog for latest average delivery times,
or email me if you need the whip by a specific date. Check out my info pages
if you need more information to help you decide what type
of whip you require; or feel free to email me. (mailroom@whipstore.com)
I'm always
happy to answer questions and give honest advice to help
you choose a whip you'll be really pleased to own.
Custom
orders welcome. Email
me with your requirements and questions, or give me a call
on 020 8647 6314 Monday to Friday 11.00am to 6.00pm.
Remember
that all prices include
free Post and Packing to UK destinations and
free surface mail shipping to the rest of the world.
'Pocket'
English Signal
Whips
Click on the image to enlarge - use your 'back'
button to return.
4 foot pocket signal whip.
My 'pocket' signal whips are
probably closer to the design of the original 8 plait signal whips,
invented for use with dog sleds, than the 'blacksnake' signal
whips listed below. They have slimmer bellies, break in
more quickly, and can be coiled more tightly, than blacksnake
whips. If
you're looking for a good quality indoor whip that
doesn't cost the earth, you will find these elegant singletails hard to
beat.
3 foot signal whips:
A 3 foot singletail is about as short as you can make a
crack-able whip and retain some semblance of elegance.
However, at this length, there is a temptation to 'muscle'
the whip to get a sharp crack, because there is so little
whip to enable acceleration. Muscling the whip not only
places undue strain on it, it also reduces your control over
what goes on at the far end. So, if you have to have a whip
that cracks (rather than, say, a quirt), and space is your prime consideration, go for a
three foot pocket signal whip. If
you have enough space, go for a 4 footer.
4 foot signal whips: I always recommend a 4 foot (1.2m) signal whip over a
3 foot one, unless space is the main determinant of choice. The extra length makes it easier to crack without
'muscling' the whip, and gives a more flowing action.
If you're just starting out with
whip cracking, and intend to be working indoors on target work,
you won't go wrong with one of my 4 foot pocket signal whips.
Please email me
to place an order: mailroom@whipstore.com.
A 50% deposit confirms your order, with the balance due when the
whip is ready to send out. A very wide range of colours is
available.
3
foot / 90cm 8 plait: £100
4 foot / 1.2m 8 plait: £115
I
can accept credit
and debit card payments via secure online invoicing,
or cheques, postal orders etc made out to 'English
Whips'. See my ordering
page for more information on payment methods
Remember that all
prices include free Post
and Packing within the UK.
English
Blacksnake Signal Whips
Brandy
12 plait kangaroo signal whip
4
foot (90cm) Signal Whips
Built using a 'whip within a whip'
construction, my 'blacksnake' signal whips are slightly wider, heavier
singletails, compared to those above.
The additional reinforcement and plaited belly makes them more
responsive and suits them better
to heavy use as well as a wider range of techniques.
The stiffer handle section of these whips
means they come into their own at greater lengths than the
pocket signal whips. I can make them to order at 3 foot, but
feel that the pocket singletail will be more satisfying at that
length.
The 8 plait whips
tend to break in more slowly; and are very neat singletails built
to a high standard.
The 12 plaits have a finer
look and very smooth action once broken in. Each whip is finished with a section of single diamond work
at the butt, leading into 6 seam herringbone work before the
usual 4 seam work along the thong.
The use of narrower strands in the 12 plait whip
enables better compression of the belly and a slightly more efficient
whip.
A 4 foot
singletail whip can be used in most indoor spaces, and makes for a
very satisfying
first whip that you will still be using even if you add to your
collection at a later date.
Please email me
to place an order: mailroom@whipstore.com.
A 50% deposit confirms your order, with the balance due when the
whip is ready to send out. A very wide range of colours is
available.
4 foot / 1.2m 8 plait:
£130
4 foot / 1.2m 12 plait:
£165
I accept credit
and debit card payments via secure online invoicing,
or cheques, postal orders etc made out to 'English
Whips'. See my ordering
page for more information on payment methods
Black 12 plait signal whip. Customer
Comment: 'It will bring much pleasure for years to
come'.
5 foot black and saddle tan
signal whip.
5 foot (1m
50cm) Signal Whips
My five foot
signal whips break in to have a nice, flowing action
that is satisfying to control. Although they can seem quite long
when you first see them, these elegant whips can be used in the
same sort of spaces that you might normally use a 3 foot snake
whip.
At the time of writing, I sell
more 5 foot signal whips than I do of either 3, or 4 foot ones.
Please email me
to place an order: mailroom@whipstore.com.
A 50% deposit confirms your order, with the balance due when the
whip is ready to send out. A very wide range of colours is
available.
5 foot / 1.5m 8 plait:
£155
5
foot / 1.5m 12 plait: £180
I accept credit
and debit card payments via secure online invoicing,
or cheques, postal orders etc made out to 'English
Whips'. See my ordering
page for more information on payment methods.
