Indiana Jones Bullwhips
The 450 series bullwhips, our own production, were used in the Indiana Jones movies. This whip, as the No. 453 8 ft. length or the No. 455 10 ft. length, became an icon when it was so skillfully woven into the story by Glenn Randall, the stunt director for the first movie. It became a recognized part of the Indiana Jones character, and an ongoing factor in maintaining the suspense of the story. Equally as important the association of this whip with these outstanding movies led to a resurgence in interest in whips in movies, stage performances, and in sport whipcracking. There are now large numbers of Indiana Jones fans, many cracking whips.
We supplied over 30 bull whips of the 450 series for the first three Indiana Jones movies. These ranged in length from 6 feet to 16 feet. The standard length carried in the movies was the No. 455 10 ft. Bull Whip. The other lengths were used in special stunts. All were in the natural tan color.
In addition to our whips, a child's whip made by Swayne, Adney and Brigg's was used in a scene from Indiana Jones' youth.
In 2007 we supplied one 453 8 ft. Bullwhip and five No. 455 10 ft. Bullwhip to LucasFilm for Harrison Ford’s preproduction training and for the movie Indiana Jones 4: the Kingdom of the Crystal Skulls. Additionally we provided two special whips, one 12 ft length and one 16 ft. length, with either polyester or nylon line running down the center extending 30' past the end of the braid. All of the whips were 12 plait natural tan kangaroo hide.
Whip Construction
The 450 series bull whips were developed at a time when
kangaroo hide, and so Australian kangaroo hide whips, were embargoed, and we
could not obtain the Australian bull whips we had been selling to performers.
The design of these whips was based on the older American bull whips and the
needs of performers presenting American style stunts for movies or stage such
as wraps, snatches, lifts, cutting or target work. The construction chosen
was the Australian style, in this case with two inner braided bellies. The
first whips were made in kip, the leather from young cattle, but as soon as
kangaroo became available again a heavy weight kangaroo was used, with the
strands cut wide for durability. The design established was for a heavy whip,
well balanced with a loaded butt, brought to a point finer than the old bull
whips, and with an Australian type fall and cracker. The taper or shape of
the whip, a critical factor, was made to suit the basic stunt needs, including
target work and close cutting.
The basic construction and appearance of this whip has not changed significantly over the years. Modifications have been limited to improvements in the core of the whip and the shape. The butt foundation, an 8 inch spike, has remained constant, but the knot, originally 7 - 8 inches from the end, has been moved closer to the end. This has given the impression that the "handle" has been made shorter, although the end stiffened by the spike is unchanged. The knot, once about 8 inches from the butt, was occasionally placed where the thong was starting to bend. Deterioration of the knot was never noted, but it was felt that keeping this knot on the stiff part would be an improvement, so it was moved to 6 - 7 inches from the butt. Durability and longevity have proven good. A fuller treatment of this whip is given in Whips and Whipmaking, 2nd. Ed.
Here are answers to the most frequently asked questions we receive concerning the Indiana Jones movies:
What whips were used in the Indiana Jones
movies?
We supplied over 30 bull whips of the 450 series for the Indiana
Jones movies.
These ranged in length from 6 feet to 16 feet. The standard length carried in
the movies was the No. 455 10 ft.
Bull Whip. The other lengths were used in special stunts. All were in the
natural tan color.
In addition to our whips, a child's whip made by Swayne, Adney and Brigg's was used in a scene from Indiana Jones' youth.
In 2007 we supplied one 453 8 ft. Bullwhip and five No. 455 10 ft. Bullwhip to LucasFilm for Harrison Ford’s preproduction training and for the movie Indiana Jones 4: the Kingdom of the Crystal Skulls. Additionally we provided two special whips, one 12 ft length and one 16 ft. length, with either polyester or nylon line running down the center extending 30' past the end of the braid. All of the whips were 12 plait natural tan kangaroo hide.
Do you ship your braided kangaroo leather whips internationally?
Yes. However, due to the strict US import and export regulations, we are only able to ship kangaroo leather products outside the US by adhering to the US Fish and Wildlife Service export inspection procedures.
Do you offer a whip holder?
No. We suggest you check one of the costume and movie prop sites, such
as Todd's Costumes for
possible sources, or search the internet.
Do you carry the hat worn by Indiana
Jones?
No, but we do carry the Adventurer by
Akubra, in the same general shape, style and color as the fedora worn by Indiana
Jones in the "Indiana Jones" movies. The hat worn by Indiana Jones
was a custom-made hat. The Bushman, also by Akubra, is a similar shape.
For more information ...
Please follow the links below for more information concerning our whips, braided
goods and related information.
Selecting
Your First Whip for Sport Cracking
The Art of Whip Cracking
Care
of Whips
Care
of Fine Leather
Attaching a New Whip Cracker, Replacement
of Falls
Whip
Frequently Asked Questions
Braided
Goods
Stock
Whips
Quirts
Whips
and Whipmaking
Braiding
Supplies
