Tracey Nemeth - Whip Maker
History of a 5th Generation Aussie Whip Maker
Specialising in Kangaroo Hide, Stock Whips, Bullwhips and Novelty Whips.
Hand Made in Australia by Tracey Nemeth - one of the 5th Generation of Nemeth WhipMakers in Australia.
Great Great Grand-Daughter of Joseph Nemeth, a Hungarian Soldier, Saddler and Whip Maker.
On March 31, 1855 Joseph Nemeth arrived on the SS Aurora at Moreton Bay, Queensland Australia.
He
later married Anne Doyle and they settled at Allora on the Darling
Downs, Queensland where he started his Saddlery and Whip Making
business.
They raised four children, one of who was my Great Grandfather William and his brother Joseph.
The
two brothers took over the business during the 1890's, when their
father retired, and kept it going until 1906 when they decided to close
and leave Allora.
The family home in Allora is still lived in and in good repair.
When my Uncle Peter started making whips, in 1968, my Father, Brian Nemeth soon realized that the gift of whip making was in his genes also.
He quickly developed new methods, which helped them to produce whips in large quantities to supply the trade.
Brian also knew that he had and still has a great love for whip making.
My Uncle Peter left during 1969 and through the years Brian (Dad) has passed on his fine workmanship and skills to his children.
No news at present, please check back later.
|
|
Purchasing a Whip
The main things to consider when purchasing a whip are:
- Length of the Whip
- Type of leather used
- Cost of the Whip
- Overall construction of the Whip
In choosing a whip to learn with it is best to buy a whip that is durable and hard wearing.
The finer the strands, the less durable they are.
A standard 4 plait Stockwhip or Bullwhip is hard to beat and is the most affordable.
The more strands the Whip has, the more expensive it is. Length of a Whip. The length of the Whip is important.
Australian Stockwhips are measured from the start of the Keeper to the start of the Fall - i.e. only the Thong is measured. For small children up to the age of 5 years, a Whip about 3 feet long is ideal.
For children 5 to 10 years, a Whip 4 feet long is good.
For older children (about 10 years & older), a 5 foot whip is the go.
The 5 foot whip is also good for adults up to 5' 10" tall.
For taller adults and more experienced crackers, a 6 foot whip can be used successfully. The lengths above are for Stockwhips - add 1 to 2 feet for Bullwhips to allow for the different measuring of the Bullwhip (the handle section is included in the length of the Bullwhip). |
|
Read more...
|
|
|
