Si Davey Whips - Caring for your Australian bullwhip or stockwhip

Caring for your Whip

Your whip doesn't require a great deal more than basic common sense procedures to help it last a lifetime.

Know Your Whip

Click on the image to view a larger version.

Try not to leave it exposed to the elements day in day out without protecting it.

A good hide food rubbed in every few months is all that is needed. These usually contain a lanolin waxy cream or a beeswax base. Apply evenly and sparingly with a soft cloth changing cloth surface frequently. Leave to dry and polish with a soft dry cloth. A good clean with saddle soap from time to time will also be of benefit. Mutton fat is also very good.

DO NOT USE ANY OIL BASED PRODUCT, INCLUDING NEATS FOOT OR MINK OIL.

When your whip first arrives, give it a polish with a soft cloth. Similarly keep your whip dry and do not strike hard objects with it. Make sure you avoid striking the ground and it is probably best not to practice on concrete unless you are skilled.

Learn to Attach a Cracker

Replacing a worn or dislodged cracker is a simple task that can be easily performed by any whip handler.
Click here to view the process.
An enlarged cracker for a photographic step by step demonstration has been used.

Learn to Attach a Fall

Replacing a worn or dislodged fall requires more skill and patience than replacing a cracker but can be achieved by the average handyman with the right tools.
Click here to view the process.
The photographs in my demonstration are self-explanatory with respect to the methodology.