WS Indiana Jones Bull Whip

Indiana Jones without a bull whip? Impossible! If you're putting together an Indiana Jones costume, you can't leave out the most important item! If you have the hat and the whip, no one can mistake you for anyone else!

We carry the best value in Indiana Jones style whips that you can find anywhere. All of our whips are hand made using top quality materials and serious whip making techniques. These are not cheap play whips! These are the real thing! Don't go out in public with one of those cheap black disasters from the costume shop that look like they were made during a fourth grade craft project. Get the real thing that you can show off proudly, and even learn a few cracks to impress your friends.

The whips shown in the original Indy movies were made by David Morgan, the whips for the fourth movie were made by Terry Jacka. This excerpt from David Morgan's website provides information about the whips used in the original three films:

"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 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 fans, many cracking whips.

We supplied over 30 bullwhips 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. Bullwhip. 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. Bull whip 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 bullwhips were developed at a time when kangaroo hide, and so Australian kangaroo hide whips, were embargoed, and we could not obtain the Australian bullwhips we had been selling to performers. The design of these whips was based on the older American bullwhips 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 bullwhips, 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 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 the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. 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."

There you have it, straight from the David Morgan website. The straight scoop on the origin of the Indy whip.

If there's one item of Indy parapherneila that you can enjoy year after year, it's a bullwhip. With proper care and conditioning, it will last 20 years or more and provide hours of enjoyment, not only in practical usage and recreation, but in simply enjoying the artistry in the craftsmanship that is displayed in the finished piece. The skill it takes to make a bullwhip is great and only developed over time. Our bullwhips are fine display pieces that look at home in a movie room or western decor. A real whip is also a great conversation piece as you tell how one is constructed and all of the hand steps that are required to complete one. Few people have experienced a real bullwhip first hand.

If you're looking for a great Indiana Jones bull whip at a great price, check out the Indiana Jones bull whip made by Western Star whips. They have the authentic Indiana Jones look and feel, but at a fraction of the price of those commanded by the famous whipmakers. We carry a great range of lengths and colors: the Indiana Jones bull whip in 4', 6', 8', 10' and 12' give you a great choice to fit your needs and your budget. The Indiana Jones bull whip in natural tan, mahogany, and black allow you to choose the right Indiana Jones bull whip for your look.

A real Indiana Jones bull whip is not just for costume wear, but for fun outdoor recreation. Whipcracking is a fun and challenging hobby, with skills that can be developed on fancy cracking, tricks, target work, and self defense. An Indiana Jones bull whip is not a toy! It needs to be treated with care to prevent injury.