What I Don't Sell
Props
You know the sort of thing: those little black whips from India, with the red string on the end (if the cracker is tied directly into the braided thong, it's almost certain to be a poor quality whip, regardless of what the blurb tell you - unless it's a signal whip); or nice looking whips from Mexico that are often filled with everything from paper to 'j-cloth' material (I know, I bought one soon after I got into whip cracking. It survived for less than half an hour in use). Often misleadingly described as 'quality' whips, such poor quality items will fall apart with anything more than casual use and are only suitable for decorating your fancy dress costume - which is fine, if that's what you're after!
Weapons
Whips used in whip cracking were never designed for use as weapons, and we would never try to sell them as such. They are tools designed for controlling groups of animals, by the simple of method of creating a loud noise that the animals move away from. Modern whipmakers take the basic designs and refine them beyond the needs of the cattleman, to suit the taste of performers and enthusiasts, but there are very few people who really know whips, who would be happy to see them described as weapons. Anyone who does try to sell a whip as a weapon, is showing you that they don't know their product!
Rubbish
I'm constantly hearing about newcomers to whip cracking who have paid over the odds for poor quality whips presented as 'quality' or 'pro whips'; and then wonder why they can't crack the whip or it's fallen apart after a few hours/days/weeks. When I say 'quality', I mean it! I'm a whip maker and collector; and very fussy about what I buy and sell. I want you to enjoy your whip as much as I enjoy mine. I will never sell you a whip with a poor quality core - such as the 100's of rope-cored bullwhips one sees on Ebay - or misrepresent the materials (for example, presenting cheap chrome tanned leather as raw hide or latigo). I will always describe the way in which the whip was made, and what's hidden out of sight in the belly - because it's the innards of the whip that determine how good it is, not how the overlay looks in a photo! I will always do my best to give a full 'warts and all' description of any whip I sell, and draw your attention to any imperfection I note, so that you know exactly what you are bidding on. The photos on my whip auctions are always of the actual whip you are bidding on, not one that's similar. I am always happy to answer your questions about any whip on auction, and to give you honest advice about bidding on it: if you are new to whip cracking: there's nothing worse than spending your hard earned money on the wrong thing when a few simple questions could have avoided it. My whips are not the cheapest on Ebay, but they are always honestly presented items demonstrating real craftmanship and pride - and among the very few worth bidding on if you want anything other than a costume prop. They are easy to use and will last far many years, if properly cared for. You won't be disappointed!
Copyright: Please note that the text and images that I use on Ebay, and on any other site, are subject to copyright. I have seen articles, written by me, used by whip sellers on ebay. I never give permission for the commercial use of my work. If I see my images or written work used on anybody's listing, I will report that seller under the Ebay VeRO programme. I am sorry to have to say this; but whip making is how I keep a roof over my family's collective head, and I will act against anybody who uses my work to make money for themselves. | 
English Whips
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