3ft 12 plait BB Mini Bullwhip!

Bullwhip Leather Kangaroo Mojave Outliers Argyle Licorice BB

Copy and paste version: desert.minx@mojaveoutliers.com

Available now! The Argyle Whip! The first rendition of a new addition to my repertoire, the Argyle pattern originally hails from the Argyll region of western Scotland in the 1600’s, the tartan of the redoubtable (or perhaps a better word would be “infamous”) Campbell clan, in this case plaited in black, red & purple kangaroo leather. Next, I plait a BAG PIPE!! Hahahahaha! The rest of the specs for this beauty are a 5.25″ steel core handle, shot loaded core, 22″ black tapered latigo fall, a purple B55 Poly bowstring 8″x2″ cracker, and solid red kangaroo leather pineapple heel knot, with contrasting black bolster. This can be yours for $240 smackers plus shipping! Simply send me an email at the address above, and we’ll get you sorted!

Here are some more pics of this little dainty!

Bullwhip Leather Kangaroo Mojave Outliers BB Argyle Licorice Handle

Bullwhip Leather Kangaroo Mojave Outliers BB Argyle Licorice Plait

Again, feel free to send me an email if you’re interested, or have questions or comments!

Enjoy!

DM

“Authentic” People–10 Likelihoods

Rose

THIS is an actual blog post that doesn’t really have anything to do with whip making.

TRIGGER WARNING!! Compared to a tweet, this is a long post. If you wanna read a tweet, of course go sign on to Twitter.

I saw someone else’s blog giving a list of 10 things “authentic” people do that most others “don’t.” So, I thought I’d jot down my OWN take on the subject. Here’s 10 things I think “authentic” people are inclined toward. Not exhaustive, and not the same for everyone. But here ya go, a little wisdom from the whip maker’s shop…

1. They’re careful about drawing attention to themselves, for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is concern for the burgeoning but so far fragile egos around them, as well as to avoid the slings and arrows of the envious, or those who otherwise feel that standing out automatically means showing off. If they DO allow themselves to stand out, they have a good reason.

Peacock

Do you have any idea how HEAVY this damn tail is?

2. They chose their words carefully, bearing in mind that each of their fellows, including themselves, are moving targets on each their own learning curves. They at once state a position and seek to explore that position relative to others to fine tune it or even change it based on new information, so generally will take an interest in dialogue, but will avoid debate, especially if the only goal is to win. They will practice enough sensitivity to gauge how much truth all at once a person can bear, and remark accordingly, figuring more can be said later, as that person grows and learns how to manage their fear. (And they understand that “fear,” properly managed, is a useful tool, because it tells us when something needs our attention.)

Monster Under the Bed

…and if you DON’T manage your fears….

3. They’re polite enough to take you at face value, while at the same time considering what your agenda might be for however it is you’re acting at any given time. They may play into that, or they may attempt to shift the focus if it seems desireable to do so. If you’re running around like your hair’s on fire, then they’ll probably avoid you, unless they’re in to people like that.

Hair On Fire

I think I’ve made my point here.

4. They know they are not proof against everything, and will admit when they’re in over their head, seeking the advice or assistance of others. At the same time, they have enough confidence to be willing to innovate on the fly, but are also likely to plan ahead.

5. They don’t buy into the idea that there is some kind of template that is correct for everyone across the board, and they don’t regard themselves or their fellows as static, rather as living beings who experience both internal and external climates of the mind and heart that are changeable through time. They tend to roll their eyes at lists like this, too.

6. They require validation, and understand that this is true of EVERYONE, but they qualify the opinions of others. Only those whom they trust will they take seriously. Everyone else gets a conversation with the hand until and unless such time as that person or persons show an ability to use good judgment, as opposed to being judgmental. If they decide you have an agenda that is self serving at the expense of others (that is, to no benefit for others up to and including their destruction), then at best you will be given limited qualification, and likely none at all.

7. They don’t buy into the idea that their whole lives are open to criticism. People who do so without an invitation end up on the “Not Qualified” list, and are eschewed. People who ask questions or offer suggestions in good faith, however, are welcome.

8. They ask questions and do research and talk to anyone willing to answer questions before jumping willy nilly into anything, especially if there is high risk involved. They get a good grounding in the basics, and move carefully when ready, knowing that from their new position they can learn more and then move on from there. They don’t skip steps in pursuing their dreams, they don’t use other people’s templates except insofar as they’re actually useful, and are realistic about their current abilities, skills and knowledge, while knowing that they have the capacity to learn more, so they position themselves carefully with an eye toward gaining clear knowledge.

9. They understand the intersection of ethics and aesthetics, and that although comparisons can be invidious and insidious, they also see that making distinctions is vitally important. They don’t compare apples and oranges, and then blame an orange for not being good at being an apple. They understand that meaning, being subjective and mobile, is created, and are willing to understand a person or a situation or a thing on its own terms, as well as in comparison to what they already know. They understand the importance of creating in tandem with another person that thing we casually refer to as “common ground,” such that a lexicon that has meaning for BOTH parties emerges that is based on the ACTUAL participation of both parties, and includes each individual’s spin. They don’t seek to be a “love and light” type, because they know that’s just as fraught with pitfalls as being a “nasty brutish and short” type. In other words, they pay real attention to the actual person they’re dealing with, and see themselves as an important part of that engagement. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and not everyone or everything will be beautiful in the same way as anything else.

10. They engage in a practical compassion that keeps the door open for those whose spirits may be oppressed, while keeping such individuals at a relative safe distance until they have learned enough to use better judgment, and may even engage in subtle actions to help this process along. They understand that it is critically important to bother with people who are angry and fearful, because such people are first, unhappy and need help, and second, can in their torment foment atrocity large or small.

As an “authentic” person, I am honest enough to admit that I absolutely care whether you like me or not—we ALL care about that. We all use that information to make choices about ourselves and each other. I don’t believe I’m independent of my fellows, nor self-contained. Just I pick my battles carefully, and the objective is not to win, but to understand.

My suggestion to folks reading this list, or any list, is instead of figuring out whether you measure up to it, instead do what I did, and write your OWN list about YOU. Because I betcha each person’s list will be a little bit (or a lot) different, as well as sharing elements with other’s lists.

Cheers!

DM

Teacup Micro Snake Whips

Teacup Micro Snake Whips main page

Copy and paste version: desert.minx@mojaveoutliers.com

NOTE regarding Teacup whips, as of June 11, 2021: I am currently NOT building Teacup whips. I have a severe injury on my right hand ring finger (“trigger finger”), so to minimize aggravating it, I’m temporarily putting a stop to Teacup builds. I’ll let folks know when they go back up on the spec list.

Introducing the Teacup micro snake whips! These whips, which double as a short lead or lanyard, are 20 inches long, 12 plaited in kangaroo hide, with an 8 inch Indian tan latigo fall and a cracker. They’re plaited on a one inch “O” ring, and come with a double ended snap hook that can, if desired, be removed. They’re built with a tapered core, and yes, they actually do crack, although it’s very quiet as this is a very tiny whip.

Black & Pink Teacup Pineapple

Trio w Orange

RE all red

Teacup micro snake whips by Mojave Outliers Desert Minx Group Shot

Detail of the heel knots, 'O' ring and plaiting of the Teacup micro snake whips!

Detail of the heel knots, ‘O’ ring and plaiting of the Teacup micro snake whips!

Teacup Micro Snake Whip teacups

Pictured, of COURSE, with a pair of oriental teacups! This one has a clasp rather than an “O” ring and double ended snap hook, and it cannot be removed. This was a one time deal though due to chance; normally these come with the double ended snap hook.

I used to make these on spec only, but these days if you’d like one, I’ll enter you onto the Interested Parties list (my custom order queue) along with all my other builds; feel free to email me and inquire! Bear in mind that the only thing about Teacup whips that I’ll change is the color(s) of the overlay. What that means is you can’t change anything at all except the color of the overlay. These are a specific size, 20″ (you can’t change that), the fall is 8″ and made of Indian tan latigo (you can’t change that, either), the heel knot (you can’t change that) has a ring in it (which you can’t change), and it comes with a double ended snap hook (which you also can’t change). A Teacup micro snake whip is $80.00 plus shipping.

Below are photos of MORE Teacup whips, by way of serving suggestion! Enjoy!

Teacup micro snake whip Black Natural

This one sports a two tone knot…

 Teacup micro snake whip Black Natural Knot Detail

Detail photo of the black and natural Teacup whip with a two-tone heel knot

Teacup micro snake whip Licorice

A pair of Licorice whip teacups! Plaited in black with purple and red alternating chevrons!

Teacup micro snake whip Collection

A collection of Teacup whips, including a coral snake (black, red and yellow) and the recently invented Bumble Bee Teacup (black and yellow). The whip at the top is a Budget Boudoir mini pocket snake whip (3ft 12 plait) to give you a size comparison.

Again, these are $80.00 plus shipping. Feel free to email me if you’d like one of your very own!

Cheers!

DM

How to Order Something From Mojave Outliers Whipmakers

Yes, I am now accepting custom orders again, yay! However, I’ve made changes from how I was doing it before, so read carefully.

I’ve invented what I call my “Interested Parties” list. On this list I take down your contact information and a description of the whip you’d like me to build for you. Then, when I’m ready to start your build, I contact you to find out if you’re still interested. No money changes hands, and in the meantime, you’re free to shop with other whip makers if you like. Once I’ve completed your build, THEN I will send you a PayPal invoice.

My queue is longish, varying between 8 months to a year (and sometimes longer, especially during the holiday season for instance), which is actually pretty normal for whip makers. Part of the time I spend in my shop I build smaller spec items, because this helps me even out the cash flow in between custom orders. The idea behind the “Interested Parties” list is to keep us both flexible. I need to be able to control my work flow, and naturally you need to control your cash flow, so not having a debt between us until I’m ready to ship seems to me the best way to go. What this translates to is that if you’re on my “Interested Parties” list, that doesn’t mean there’s a contract between us such that I’m going to build your whip by a specific date, it just means that I’ll check that list FIRST before I do my next build. The advantage to you is that you’re not out a bunch of cash at the outset (some folks use the wait time to save up for their whip, which I think is quite clever), and you’re not “locked in” to your purchase with me–you can shop if you like, as I said above.

Naturally if you have questions about this, send me an email at desert.minx@mojaveoutliers.com. And if you’d like to place a custom order, why, then send me an email at desert.minx@mojaveoutliers.com, and we’ll get your details sorted!

Copy and paste version: desert.minx@mojaveoutliers.com