Bullwhip as a defensive weapon?

Bagheera,
You've got me laughing again! Though I obviously have an immature sense of humor, this sounds like a really good idea. Heck, you may not even have to hit anyone with it. The psychological impact of seeing someone rushing at you with dried bull "organ" might make a lot of people flee. I could just see the cops..."You hit him with what?"

Clay,
Yep, that's the one. Kangaroo hide is supposed to be a perfect leather for whips, since it's really strong and stays flexible. I've just never been able to bring myself to pay that hefty price tag, especially since I would just be using it as a toy. That David Morgan catalog is great.

Paul
 
The one my grandfather had was braided too
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Paul, Paul, seems you've got too much imagination. Actually, when I wrote that posting above, I noticed the ambiguity myself
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Happy whipping!
 
Paul -- Yeah. They're pricey. I got mine here on BFC for $200 (I believe the guy also had a 12' for $250).

Now I am going to have to take it over to the inlaws and play with it.

Re: Bagheera's "item" -- brings a whole new meaning to the term "P whipped"
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Clay Fleischer
clay_fleischer@yahoo.com
AKTI Member A000847
 
Great deal on the whip! I might be able to spend that much, but not 2.5 times that. If I was Indiana Jones I could deduct it from my taxes.
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Paul
 
Sorry to dredge up an old thread but I just had to throw in my two cents.

I've been using a bullwhip for most of my life and consider one (next to a good knife) my weapon of choice. I'll keep my thoughts short. Basically, you want to use a whip as a first strike weapon. Don't get fancy cracking it all over the place just incapacitate the target as quickly as possible by aiming for the face. Don't go for the hand holding a weapon because this is a tiny, moving target. If you are slightly out of range then let off a few pops at their face as you move in. If they are running at you go for the face or wrap the legs. If they get in too close use the butt of the whip as a black jack. If you fail to neutralize the target on the first try do not fall into a cracking routine. Keep the whip moving but keep it random and unexpected.

A whip does take a lot of practice but once it becomes second nature you'll be amazed at how cool they are. You'll also discover that many of the perceived weaknesses of a whip can be overcome used to your advantage.
 
My opinion of this for self defense is just the same for any contact weapon. You have to be a specific distance away from a combatant or you are just 'out of range.' Coupled to that, you don't find a lot of bowie knives and whips being carried in polite society. And even if a good shoulder holster could be developed for use, I'd hate to defend the use of one in court.

Yeah, yeah, I've heard the argument of such weapons as 'silent and never having to be reloaded.' This is slim comfort to a guy in a group, such as a saloon. Who are the target's friends? How many are there? How are they armed?

When conditions switch from 'yellow' to 'orange,' like in a situation where an attacker brandishes a bullwhip, my wife and I take several steps back and AWAY from each other. As he commits to a specific target and steps foreward to engage, the other party shoots him in the back.
 
"latigo e daga" (whip and dagger) techniques are a Philippino tradition. It is not a good "only weapon" since a determined attacker can penetrate even a good whip defense.
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I remember some people back home using stingray tails as whips. More like a sjambok than a bullwhip
 
Originally posted by Ichabod Poser
My opinion of this for self defense is just the same for any contact weapon. You have to be a specific distance away from a combatant or you are just 'out of range.' Coupled to that, you don't find a lot of bowie knives and whips being carried in polite society. And even if a good shoulder holster could be developed for use, I'd hate to defend the use of one in court.
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Well, I don't use a holster but I do carry a four foot (not including the fall length) Pocket Bullwhip in either my side bag or a cargo pocket when I'm in unfamilar territory (urban or otherwise). It's light, fast and intimidating. It's about the size of a signal whip but it has a four inch handle foundation for better control. My own production.

Originally posted by Ichabod Poser
Yeah, yeah, I've heard the argument of such weapons as 'silent and never having to be reloaded.' This is slim comfort to a guy in a group, such as a saloon. Who are the target's friends? How many are there? How are they armed?
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Same could be said for a knife or pepper spray. The above mentioned Pocket Bullwhip I carry on occasion has several ounces of lead wrapped around the butt for balance. In a close quarter emergency this can be used like a black jack. If it's possible I generally try to remove myself from a situation like the one you described before it gets serious. (grins) A whip wouldn't be my first choice in a saloon anyway.

Originally posted by Ichabod Poser
When conditions switch from 'yellow' to 'orange,' like in a situation where an attacker brandishes a bullwhip, my wife and I take several steps back and AWAY from each other. As he commits to a specific target and steps foreward to engage, the other party shoots him in the back.
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Shooting a fellow using a bullwhip in the back might not help you out in court since whips are considered agricultural tools and not deadly weapons. (grins)

Thanks for the discussion Ichabod.
 
I too have been using a bullwhip for many years. I prefer a 10' 8 plait, shot loaded, (because I like a little heft, though it does tend to tire your arm out). Because Roo whips are so expensive I tend to practice with a 10' Western ($50 off ebay). As for its defensive value, it makes a great long range weapon, just make sure you use it in conjunction with an offhand shorter weapon, such as a knife or sap. My friends and I have been talking about putting out a self defense Bullwhip video for a while now, however, because I carry it with me on the farm, I figure if I did end up using it, said video would be Exhibit A, and my @$$ eould be the one in jail. I say get it, practice with it, and make your own decision.
 
Bandit and Bullwhip,

These are NOT observations for just your choice of self defense weapon.

For example, I believe you when you say practice and plan to release a video. Let's imagine that you and I tangled. There is a concept called 'disparity of force,' in some cases coupled with 'the doctrine of the reasonble man.'

I would get the video into court. You're younger, you're stronger, and you're an 'expert' with that weapon. Any 'reasonable man' would shoot to save his life. Would you want a jury to hear that?

I don't think it's the whip, I think it's because modern society would view that device as an 'oddball' choice. Why not pepper spray, why not a stun gun, why not a cell phone to call the Federales. I would make the same observations if the weapon of choice was a katana, a bowie knife or a sword cane.

All of the above are very capable for self defense. Don't youthink they would look odd to the usual pool of jury members?
 
From where I'm sitting the guy with the bullwhip isn't the problem. The guy who is a little too eager to shoot someone is. So I (the dead guy) have an odd choice of weapon and you're an old fart with a gun. That's your defense? I think you need a nap. :p I'll be taking my leave of this thread now. Sorry I brought it up.
 
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