The  Australian Stockwhip is often said to have originated in the English hunting whip, but it has since become a distinct type of whip. Today, it is used primarily by Australian stockmen. Unlike the short, embedded handle of a bullwhip, the stock whip handle is not fitted inside the lash and is usually longer.  The Australian Stockwhip was designed to move large mobs of cattle (not usually used for sheep) by making it crack, which would scare the mob and get them to move.A stock whip's handle is connected to the thong by a joint typically made of a few strands of thick leather (which is called a keeper). This allows the whip to hang across a stockman's arm when not being used. The handles are normally longer than those of a bullwhip, being between 15 and 21 inches . The thong can be from 3 feet to 10 feet long. Stock whips are also almost exclusively made from tanned kangaroo hide.For more:
 Labels: Australian, cattle, kangaroo, leather, mobs, sheep, stockmen, Stockwhip |
