New Blog

I'm setting up a blog here... what's it all about?

2024-Oct-30

TOC

This will be a blog about various topics relating to my Medieval/Renaissance intrests, but also about whips: whip cracking and whip making.

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Whip Related

Whip Cracking

I'm not sure how this will pan out precisely, but I plan to provide commentary, information, videos, etc... I'll be documenting my journey as I strive to improve my hobby from just something I do to something I may even try to turn into a small demo/display/act.

My own

I've got no delusions that I'm going to be the next Leah Orleans (Tiny Girl, Big Show), Adam Winrich (Multiple Whip related World Record holder), Jacques Ze Whipper (Amazing Renaissance Faire whip performer), or Aaron Bonk (Whip Juggler). These performers / acts are absolutely amazing and are an inspiration to me. I'm just looking to hone my public speaking / presentation and whip skills enough to be able to do a 5 to 10 minute bit for my own joy and for friends etc.

Others

I plan on highlighting great whip performers. Those who focus on whips as well as those who use them as part of a show/act. The acts I mentioned above (Leah Orleans, Adam Winrich, Jacques Ze Whipper, and Aaron Bonk) are the most well known, but I'll look to also highlight otehr professional and amateaur whip crackers.

Resources / Reviews of Whips, Whipmakers, and Educational Materials

I'll look to also provide links/articles/resources aimed at those who want to get into the hobby or more.

One area I really struggled with for years was finding skilled, honest whipmakers. Years ago, I got scammed by an Australian whipmaker and so I've been very wary since then about who I trust. I'll provide reviews of whipmakers and whips which I've acquired / will acquire as well as links to useful / good instructional materials for whip cracking. Reviews and educational material here will be with the whip cracker in mind... See below for whip maker resources.

Whip Making

I've begun to delve into whip making (Nylon, not leather), and in so doing, I've uncovered a lot of good info/resources. I plan to share those resources as well as documenting my own whipmaking journey.

My Own

I literally never brauded anything outside of 3 strand flat braid for the first 54 years of my life. However, I recently got bitten by the "whipmaking bug" and have started learning the craft in earnest. (Thank my neurospicy nature for this)

I plan to provide updates as I learn the craft and improve. I'll also be sharing my notes.

Others

Like any hand craft, learning from others is how human knowledge evolves. With the advent of Internet video and instructional, there's a huge amount of instructional information out here. There is a vibrant community of whip makers who are quite ready and willing to provide encouragement and advice as well. Many whip makers, while charging for their physical whips, are willing to share their techniques for other aspiring makers. I find this "open source" mentality is truly refreshing - In some areas of endeavor in the past I've run into people who were very competitive / secretive, and would not provide any insight into their methods or techniques. I've just seen the total opposite of that in this community.

I will share images of the work of others (with proper credit) and also review / link to instructions / tutorials etc which I have found to be helpful.

Resources

I will also write some about whipmaking resources - sources for various components like paracord, core rods, tapes and binding materials, tools and more. I'm a tool nerd and I know as I've begun this journey, figuring out what tools and components were best for me and applying that to the tutorials I found has been a key to my progression.

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Leatherworking Related

I have an interest in leatherworking. I'm not super talented, but I've made various items of interest to the whip and medieval / Renaissance reenactment hobby, so I may include some leatherworking articles where the fancy strikes me

Project Updates

Tutorials

I may provide my own or links to others Leatherworking education and tutorials

Resources

I may provide info on leatherworking supplies (tools, consumables, and leather)

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Renaissance / Medieval Interests

I've been interested in Medieval history and similar since I first played Dungeons and Dragons in 1979 (Yeah I was that annoying little kid wanting to play with the older ones and for some reason they let me). This is slightly tangential to the whip stuff, but my interest in whips and cracking actually started along with my attendance of Pennsic War (a large Medieval Reenactment event held yearly in Western PA).

Pennsic

For more information see Pennsic War Official Site

Renaissance Faires

For the past several years, I've been a rose vendor at Maryland Renaissance Festival. You can find links to that at my OnlyThorns

MDRF

Maryland Renaissance Festival Crownsville, MD
Runs Last Weekend of August through mid October

NYRF

New York Rennaissance Faire
Tuxedo, NY
Runs mid Autust through early October

Ravenwood Faire

Ravenwood Faire Clear Brook, VA Runs last two wekends before Halloween

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Garb / Costuming

I'm not a great seamstress, but I might post about sewing / making as well as links to some of my favorite garb related stores

My other work

I will be keeping this blog to the aforementioned subjects. I have a technology-related blog for other nerdy stuff

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~TSW

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