Types of Singletails Whips

Types of single tails:

• Signal Whips

  This is a short lead-shot loaded whip. In the vanilla world it is used to signal commands to sled dog teams. The whip is flexible right to the end, and has a bag filled with lead shot inside to give it weight to make it fall right. This kind of whip has a cracker braided into the end. This makes it easy to crack but when the cracker wears out a new one must be braided in. This also means that if you draw blood it should be a single person whip. Their small size and accuracy make these the most popular scene single-tail.

  These whips are measured from the butt end (handle) to cracker. Most signal whips are 3 or 4 feet long.

• Australian Stock Whips

  These whips are made for the herding of cattle in Australia. It consists of a stiff long handle onto which the whip is hinged with a leather square knot. This whip has the characteristic Australian fall.

  A fall is a single piece of leather extending from the braided thong. An Australian fall is a long (about 18-30"), well tapered piece of latigo lashed onto the end of the thong.

  Tied onto the end of this is a twisted nylon cracker. The result is a easily cracked, easily replaceable tip that works quite well. Different falls can be used for different people, and the cracker can be taken off to minimize cutting.

  These whips are measured from the joint (keeper) to end of the braided part (start of the fall). Common lengths are 6 to 12 feet.

• Bullwhips

  In these whips the flexible part of the whip is an extension of the handle, with some gradation of stiffness from the stiff handle to the rest of the lash.

  These whips are measured from the butt end (handle) of the whip to the end of the braided part (start of the fall). Common lengths are 6 to 12 foot, but 4 and 5 footers are available.

  • Australian Bullwhips
    This is a hybrid between an American bullwhip and the Australian stock whip. The thong of this whip is braided over the handle creating a smooth join. The handle is fairly long (16-20") and light usually with a springy action. It has an Australian fall.

    American Bullwhips

    These whips have a shorter, heavier handle and are sometimes mildly shot loaded for a slower action for target cutting.

    • American made versions
      These are often swivel handled so the whip can rotate with respect to the handle, facilitating a swing and cut kind of throw. American made versions usually have a wide, short fall which is used to hit the animal with a lower likely-hood of cutting it. Most of these are made of latigo, with some made of cowhide. These whips are usually not as high a quality as Australian made whips.

      Australian made versions

      Australian do make American style bullwhips, usually out of kangaroo and with an Australian fall. They are never swivel handled. It is my impression from what I've read that a swivel handle makes it easier to crack but lowers the accuracy.

      Note: By Australian made I mean made in the Australian way, not necessarily made in Australia.

• Blacksnake Whips
  This is a HEAVY whip, as it is shot-loaded and flexible right to the end. This kind of whip, while originating in the United States, is now only found with an Australian fall, made in the Australian way. An advantage of this whip is that it coils to a small diameter meaning it's easier to carry, often slipped into a saddle bag, or for us kinky people, a toy bag. : )

  These whips are measured from the butt end (handle) of the whip to the end of the braided part (start of the fall). Common lengths are 6 to 12 foot, but 5 footers are available.