How A Whip Is Made

Diagram of the construction method for our Classic American Bullwhips.
(but all of our whips are made with very similar techniques)

We start with a steel handle spike, and secure a tapered, solid leather core around it. (the core extends into the thong of the whip)

Then braid the first belly, secure a bolster around it, and braid the second belly. (These cover the handle spike and extend well into the thong) this helps to strengthen the transition from handle to thong - the place where older or not-so-sturdily made whips have a tendency to break down.

Now we tightly wrap the second bolster above and below the transition zone with artificial sinew to further reinforce the handle to thong transition.

The final layer is the braided overlay which we braid tightly around all the layers of the core including the second bolster.


Each step is expertly cut and beveled by hand, greased with our special braiding soap, and painstakingly braided with the utmost attention to detail.

We roll each whip to better smooth, compact, and round every layer to provide the best whip handling experience possible.p>

If needed, we add just a touch of lead shot to the butt of the whip to get the perfect balance and then tie the decorative turkshead knot over that knot foundation.

Finally, the finished whip receives a coat of natural shellac and a few test cracks to assure that is performs to the highest standards which MidWestWhips products are known for.

Discovery Science - How It's Made - Whips

The Discovery Science Channel contacted MidWestWhips to showcase how a whip is made on their "How It's Made" program.

MidWestWhips - TimeLapse w/ Voiceover

Paul Nolan describes the process of how a real Indiana Jones Bullwhip is made from Kangaroo Hide.