Common Types of Whips
American Bullwhip
American Bullwhips typically consist of a short handled whip with an integrated, rigid handle. These whips did not often have wrist-loops
American Swivel-handle Bullwhip
This style of bullwhip has a free-spinning axle which allows the thong to swivel around the handle. Precision work is possible, but for the most part, is fairly difficult. Most are fairly inexpensive, but usually contain cores made of twine and leather strips. Older Bucheimer Swivel-handle bullwhips have cores made of ropes tapered down to the point.
Australian Bullwhip
Australian Bullwhip tend to have handles longer than those of their American counterparts, reflecting the long-handled design of the Australian Stock Whips. The handles often have a length of at least 10 inches (25.4 cm), sometimes going up to 16 inches (40.64cm). This longer handle gives the user more leverage and control of the whip, which is why this style is preferred for multiple-cracking routines and target work. This style of whip is also recommended for beginners in a length of 6 to 8 feet.
Australian Stock Whip
The best whip for multiple-cracking and cattle driving in the Outback. The Australian Stock Whip consists of a long often slender handle known as the stock. At the end of the stock is a loop known as a keeper which connects with another keeper loop on the whip's thong.
Blacksnake (Snake Whip)
Florida Cow Whip
The Cow Whip, sometimes known as the "Florida Cracker Whip" or the "Cowhunter whip" is unique to the lands of Florida where it is still used today. The old-style Cow Whips are made from buck skin, which would often rot in Florida's humidity. However, sometime around the 1970s, Cow Whips were starting to be made from nylon parachute cord. These whips consist of a handle, often made of wood, with a holed cup on the top where the keeper strands of the thong would be pulled and tied. According to some Florida Crackers, the older folks tend to let the thong of the whip sit loosely out of the cup, which makes flicks easier, but most other cracks more difficult. Cow Whips Traditionally end in a tapering twist, known as the twisted tail. The twisted tail, according to whip maker Rhett Kelley, is not a fall, but simply a way the Florida style whips were finished off. In most cases the twisted tail is counted towards the thong's length.
UEPA KIANI (Hawaiian Stock Whip)
The Uepa Kiani, which according to the Hawaiian Dictionary, means: flexible hand whip is the style of whip used by the Paniolo of Hawaiʻi. The design has seldom changed since the Vaqueros introduced their crafts to Hawaiʻi in the 1800s. The old-school Uepa were made from locally obtained rawhide, but are now made of nylon parachute cord. The thong consists of a keeper which also serves as a belly, and an overlay plaited from the point. The thong is then attached to a wooden handle via the constricting keeper loop.