Here are some of my latest awards.
In most cases I enter a 2-tone 24-plait bullwhip or stockwhip. These whips take several days to make and require no small amount of concentration. For
this reason I only make a handful of these whips each year. On occasion I have requests for such whips and of course, on occasion, I do make them. But
there's a catch, and that is I get to choose every design aspect of the
whip - from length to colours, patterns on the handles, everything. The reason for
this is simple, the whip is being made to win a competition first and
foremost. I will sort through hundreds of my kangaroo hides to find two
perfect thickness, blemish free hides. Length of the whip is important too.
7ft is the standard, nothing shorter as there is not enough whip length to
drop strands in the overlay so they are invisible.
I encourage anyone who wants to improve their whipmaking to enter plaiting
competitions. Don't expect a win, but you'll come away with a hit-list of
aspects of your plaiting that can be improved on. Most whip enthusiasts have
seen fine plaited whips but it's only when you see the whips that win
plaiting competitions that you understand how refined the art of fancy
whipmaking has become. And what's more important, in my opinion, is the whip
entered has to be a perfect moving whip. Not only a whip that falls sweetly
but one that gives great sound effortlessly.
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Perth Royal Show
Judges Comments:
"A superb piece - crafted to perfection with incredible
attention to detail, on such super fine braiding. Truly a collectors item.
Congratulations."
Melbourne Royal Show
Judges Comments:
"Standard of work flawless and is of excellent standard.
Impressed with colour blending right through to the cracker" Judge - Terry
Tulk.
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