Tools
BWR Whips are hand made from the finest Kangaroo Hide and being a natural product will degrade over time if not cared for correctly. Misuse, abuse, constant cracking on cement and rough surfaces, dirt and grit will all aid to a short life span for your whip. Good whips are not cheap and with the proper care your investment should last you a life time and become a family heirloom.
To prolong the life of your whip, in fact the life of any leather product, I suggest you use a good leather dressing regularly avoid getting your whip wet and drying out as this causes the leather to become brittle and rot internally. A lot of people will tell you to use Neatsfoot oil, this is ok on the odd occasion however it can swell the leather causing weakness and would be best avoided.
Leather care
Bevan.
If you'd like to have a go at making your own whips then you can't go past my Beveler/Lace cutter. Simple to use perfect for most hides, including raw hide! It trims your lace and tapers without fuss, then simply turn it around to the other end and bevel the lace for a neat finish to your work. UPDATE!!!...cutter will now bevel, hide to the thickness of 3.5mm!
The tool is solid aluminium and measures 100mm wide x 175mm long x 25mm thick it comes with 2 x blades, 2 x locating pins, and an allen key, you can trim lace up to 20mm wide, if need be, and bevel any width but beveling is set for leather up to 2mm thick with one fence and 3.5mm with the second.
Click an image to enlarge..
All of my lace is cut and bevelled on this tool, including rawhide, kangaroo and cow hides!!
Youtube link to beveler/cutter use: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLc-2kc5T7w
Please take a look at the following link to a happy customer who purchased my tool......http://essentiawhipsfloggers.wordpress.com/2009/12/23/whip-making-tool/
