I decided that it was time for me to move on and attempt to make a living doing something that I enjoy and I’m good at doing: making whips.

I’m excited about the future, but I can’t say that it’s not a little scarey too. I started work with Walmart when I was 18 and I really didn’t think I would ever leave to take up whipmaking full time.

All that being said, I am not one to keep all my eggs in one basket. I’m a part-time Emergency Medical Technician and last year I started keeping bees.  I’m very much reliant upon the Lord to continue to bless the work of my hands and to direct people to me who want to buy whips.

The good news for all my past, present, and future customers is that I’ll now be able to focus way more time and energy to my craft and my historically long waiting lists should not be as long any more.

As always, if you want order a whip, feel free to email or call.

Happy Cracking!

Rhett Kelley

Whipmaker

Long live the Florida Cracker!

The next 2 days we spent fishing Red Snapper and Amberjack fishing 40 miles out in the Gulf of Mexico. Robert has fished all over the world and says that he’s never seen such great fishing. The Leveral family of Family Tradition Charters in Panama City put us on some great fishing action. The trip was being filmed and will appear on an upcoming episode of Respect Outdoors.

Click to view slideshow.

I first became acquainted with Robert a couple of years ago when he contacted me about purchasing a 12ft cow whip. If you watch his show regularly, you can sometimes see Robert cracking  the whip I made for him. Below is some fun footage I took of Robert Arrington cracking one of Cordell’s cow whips on the stern of the fishing boat “Best Bet.”

It’s not often opportunities like this come along. I really appreciate Robert Arrington for selecting Cordell and I for this trip. We had a great time, ate some great seafood, caught some nice fish, made new friends, and made memories that will last a lifetime.

Contact information for Family Tradition Charters:

Capt. Leveral Raffield

850-235-4610

850-819-4610

Thanks for looking and Happy Bidding!

Rhett Kelley
whipmaker
www.cowwhips.com

Click on the picture below to go to the listing:

Rhett Kelley

That’s a savings of $18.00 off my normal price.

This price includes shipping to U.S. addresses.

If you’ve been sitting back waiting to order, now is the time to order and save money!

To order, email me at Rhettswhips@ yahoo.com.

All DVDs will come with a 3.5ft piece  of  the  3/8″ inch “sinker cord” that is used for weighting the whips. This cord is the one thing I use in the video that isn’t commonly sold by all paracord suppliers.

People from all over the world have used my DVDs to get started making their own nylon whips. Don’t miss out!

At $85.00, my DVDs certainly are not cheap. Sometimes people tell me they won’t spend so much for a low-budget, homemade DVD. I totally understand that and don’t look down upon a person who holds that opinion.

Over the years I’ve had many people contact me asking for personal lessons in whipmaking. I have had people offer to pay me to teach as well as cover the cost of my travel. Some even even wanted to fly here and learn from me directly. My thoughts were that I could create a DVD based tutorial to teach my techniques and that even at $85.00, it would be much more affordable than some of the things people have offered to do to learn from me.

Granted, the production had a lower budget than an Ed Wood film and I made it myself with the help of my wife and son. If you’re looking for a dazzling Hollywood production, you won’t find it here. It’s mostly footage of my hands plaiting and me talking quite a bit. In hind sight, there’s several things I wish we did better. I’m a whipmaker, not a movie producer. I did the best I could…

So what are people paying for??

They’re paying the opportunity to learn a craft from someone who’s had to figure out much of what he knows by himself for the better part of 20 years. They’re buying a front row seat to see exactly how I make a whip; something old-time whipmakers would never share with anyone no matter the price.

A person who buys my video is buying an opportunity. An opportunity to learn a craft that can result in people paying them for the whips they’ve made. I’ve lost count of how many people who bought my DVDs are now selling their own whips. It just happens. Most aren’t even looking to sell whips when they are starting out.

One final thing a person buys when they get my DVDs is follow-up help. I always try to assist my DVD customers with their questions and I share with them tips and tricks for learning how to make other whip lengths as well as other kinds of whips if they so desire. I don’t have all the answers, but I always do my best to help in any way I can.

Bottom line is that I’m a free market kind of guy. People will only pay what they think something is worth. If you feel it’s worth it, good. If you feel it’s not worth it, that’s okay too. But keep checking in because it may go on sale one day.

I am now accepting orders again, but please keep in mind the following things:

1. Payment in full is required before I will start working on the order, but:
2. No deposit or payment is required to get on the waiting list.
3. I cannot accurately say how long it will take me to get to your order.
4. The order book will fill quickly and is subject to be closed if and when I get more orders than I can fill.

For now, email is best because my new job schedule is crazy and I may not be home if you call in the order. I can be reached at Rhettswhips at Yahoo.com or you can use the following contact form:

Thanks!

Rhett Kelley

Of all the whips I’ve sold, you won’t find any bullwhips out there that aren’t 16 plait. Until now… This week I finished a prototype version of my own line of 12 plait bullwhips. It’s made in the same manner as all my other bullwhips, but without the additional 16 plait overlay. I have posted this first-of-a-kind whip on eBay. If you would like to own it, please log on to eBay and place your bids!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/130630689823

I now have 3/8″ sinker cord back in stock and ready to ship!

My prices are as follows:

1-19 ft = $1.00/ft
20-49ft = $0.85/ft
50ft -69ft = $0.70/ft
70ft – 99ft = $0.55/ft
100ft and over = $0.45/ft

Postage included to all U.S. addresses! Priority mail for orders over $20.00!

Email me at Rhettswhips @ yahoo dot com to order!