The bullwhip, a beautiful single tail

“The bullwhip, a beautiful single tail“ was written for BDSMforyou.nl by Mistress Moriah.

A bullwhip is a single-strand whip that originated in the Wild West of America. Originally, the whip was made of rawhide (untanned cattle hide with the hair and flesh scraped off). After the rise of the Australian whip makers, kangaroo leather bullwhips became popular. By now, the bull has also become popular within SM.

There is quite a bit of confusion about the name. Every single tail is regularly called a bullwhip. That is a misunderstanding, though. A bull is a single tail, but not every single tail is a bullwhip.
If you look at the construction of this specific whip, you see:

- End knot (butt knot)
- Handle
- Transition knot
- Thong
- Fall
- Popper or cracker
- Wrist loop (optional)

The popper or cracker produces the characteristic 'cracking' sound. The original bullwhips had no loop. The bulls used within BDSM often do have one.

Length of the bullwhip

The bullwhip can be quite long (up to around 12 feet), which is why good practice is important before you use it on someone. The end of the bull can reach very high speeds. As soon as you hear the characteristic crack, the tip of the whip is actually breaking the sound barrier (about 1200 km/h).

The core of the handle often consists of a metal rod, around which the leather is braided.

The history of the bullwhip

In the 19th century the bullwhip became popular in the United States, especially among cowboys and cattle drovers in the West. Originally, the bullwhip was used as a tool for driving cattle. The specific shape and function of the bullwhip evolved to convey commands effectively over a great distance. This whip can make a loud crack when the tip breaks the speed of sound, producing a sharp bang that resembles a pistol shot.

In modern times the bullwhip has become an iconic symbol, partly thanks to its use in popular culture, such as in the Indiana Jones films. The bullwhip has also become a sporting instrument, with whip artists performing complex tricks and precision movements.

With the rise of the whip makers in Australia, bullwhips made of kangaroo leather became more and more popular. They are now widely used in America too.

How do you use a bullwhip?

A bull is not a beginner's whip, and it is not a whip you simply start hitting a sub with. Using a bull responsibly takes practice. Because of the length, the speed and the intensity that comes with it on the skin, it is a must to practise enough so that you are certain you can handle the whip properly on a sub. It is a whip that leaves marks, which also means the skin needs to be warmed up beforehand. You can do this with a flogger, for example.

The bullwhip can be used in different ways, with horizontal being the safest. In this way the whip wraps around the sub's body. If you strike vertically with the whip, it will land much harder and will definitely leave nasty marks.

How do you maintain the whip?

It is important to clean the whip properly after use. That applies to the striking part (with the sub's sweat and flakes of skin) but just as much to the handle. Your hands also give off sweat and skin flakes that are full of bacteria. With long-term use, that can damage the material. And to be honest, the price tag of a good bullwhip is high enough to take good care of it.

Clean the striking part with a good toy cleaner or disinfectant. Condition the leather about once a year with leather grease.

Mistress Moriah

Source

Text & photography: Mrs Moriah