One of a Kind, Relentless Design

On February 19, I came home to a most wonderful surprise.  Someone I have met via the world of whipmaking, whom I consider a good friend, had sent me a piece he designed, in every facet, after Wolf Creek Whips’ style.  To clearly understand the significance of each point of design of this stunning piece, here is a quick overview of what I have in mind when I build a whip:

My philosophy when building a whip is simple:

-A whip should be built where it moves like a living thing, like a snake.

-It should have a backbone, without a break in each connection.

-It should always taper continuously from the heel to the tip of the cracker.

-It should be a solid and soundly built tool to last as long as possible.

-A well built whip, carefully designed, is a thing of true beauty.

-A Craftsman can be an Artisan, but an Artisan is not always a Craftsman.  A Master Whipmaker is both Craftsman and Artisan.

    I finally have come close to a pause in work and school where I could properly write and post about this fantastic piece of work as it and its’ Maker deserves.   I’ll admit I’ve been very tied up and more than a bit stressed in the last year or two, and this was one of the kindest gestures I’ve been on the receiving end of.  

    This whip is a perfect (and functional!) showpiece.  First, it is just so stunning in both planning and overall patternwork, the closer one looks the finer the details appear.  It is meticulously executed in each element, from heel to cracker.  Matt has created a work of art that is strength in build and perfection of detail.  As he described it, it is relentless in its’ patternwork, never giving in to whipmaker’s plait.  He has executed some of the most perfect drops of strands that I’ve seen!

    I think Matt has perfected the storytelling in the design of a whip.  Each portion of the whip, even the inside, is tailored to the portfolio of design he had in mind.  From the (I’ve never seen used for a heel knot before!) heel knot to the tip which has a type of quick-change twist forming a type of English Eye allowing for a quick change of fall and including a specially designed fall, this whip is magnificent.  

    The inside is formed in a twisted taper as I make my whips.  Each belly is integrated into the previous layer with the same technique, as I do.  The knot work is unique to this whip.  Matt states, “The knots are all unique as well, adding to the one of kind aspect…. The heel knot is normally known as a Scobie nob. You’ll see this on older stockwhips made by some makers in AU. This one however is special because it’s made of two colors and the end transitions into a “bighted” interweave with a nautical look to it, allowing the end to stay open and expose your engraving details….Normally these knots completely close up at the end and are tied around a really small heel foundation that is perfectly round. “

    Even the falls and crackers are specially designed to both match in taper and balance as well as aesthetic appearance.  

Per Matt, here are the specifications:  

“The whip has 4 bellies: 8,12,16,20, and then the 24 plait overlay. The handle steel is

about 4.8mm and 14″ long. Each bellies has three layers of binding. One of these layers is closed loop in each belly coming off the handle…. The rings are engraved with “Wolf Creek” & “Inch by Inch.””

This whip is 8 feet 2 inches at the hitch and 8 feet 7 inches at the tip of the English Eye twist.

Matt has really raised the bar with both the design and build aspect of whipmaking.  To tell a story from tip to heel and see how the whip flows with the flawless execution is a rare treat.  

Thank you, Matt.  I’m both humbled and honored to receive such a piece.