Flexible Weapons--Neck Whips and belts
The Neck-Whip™ has the appearance of an elegantly braided leather necklace. But as with most things looks are deceiving. The Neck-Whips™ unique fastening system allows for rapid deployment in times of need. Constructed of 4 plaits of kangaroo leather over a latigo core the neck whip is both pliable and incredibly strong. It can be carried with you everywhere you go; it is inconspicuous but always ready. With some practice it can become a very effective self-defense tool.
The evolution of the Neck-Whip™ was a natural part of the flexible weapons curriculum developed and taught by Scott C. Homschek. He teaches the use of flexible weapons to block, trap, strike, ensnare and incapacitate an assailant.
While striking with a traditional whip can incapacitate an attacker; a Neck-Whip™ simply does not have enough mass to deliver a blow with enough force to completely stop an attacker. The purpose of a Neck-Whip™ for striking is to provide for a momentary distraction allowing for: escape, better positioning, and/or accessing another weapon. A strike that connects with the eyes of the assailant will potentially cause blindness and allow for escape.
When using the Neck-Whip™ to block, trap or choke the user will find the mechanical leverage created is much greater than that of the empty hand. A small amount of force applied to one or both ends of the neck whip will result in a significant amount of force being brought to bear on the attacker. This is especially true when the flexible weapon is used to trap limbs to immobilize an attacker.
As with any weapons training, it is strongly encouraged that safety be taken seriously. When working with a partner use solid braided nylon rope (3/8" - 5/8" thick) to prevent abrasive injuries. It is strongly advised that all participants use safety glasses when practicing flexible weapons techniques or developing their skills with the Neck-Whip™. Just as we use training knives to practice our blade skills with a partner, a relatively thick non-abrasive rope is critical to practice the Neck-Whip™ techniques with a partner.
Single Neck Whip (this is the standard model)
Is composed of a single core of 1/8" thick latigo with 4 plait kangaroo braiding cover. Finished thickness is approximately 3/16'' thick. Standard length is 36" of braiding with 6" latigo tail. Custom lengths are available. Available in black, dark brown, saddle (orange-brown), natural or a combination of two. Conceals easily under t-shirts and dress shirts.
Double Neck Whip
Is composed of a double core of 1/8" thick latigo with 4 plait kangaroo braiding cover. Finished thickness is approximately 1/4'' thick. Standard length is 36" of braiding with 6" latigo tail. Custom lengths are available. Available in black, dark brown, saddle (orange-brown), natural or a combination of two. A little heavier than a single - somewhat noticeable under a t-shirt or dress shirt.
Heavy Double Neck Whip
Is composed of a double core of 1/8" thick latigo with 8 plait kangaroo braiding cover. Finished thickness is approximately 5/16'' thick. Standard length is 36" of braiding with 6" latigo tail. Custom lengths are available. Available in black, dark brown, saddle (orange-brown), natural or a combination of two or four. Substantially heavier than a single - definitely noticeable under a t-shirt or dress shirt.
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The idea behind Scott developing these [ and hand making them ], was to have a small bullwhip with you around your neck [ thats where I where mine when I take them out ], in your pocket, etc.
If one knows the art of the bullwhip well enough, one could then use these in a similair manner. Striking techniques with the end of the neckwhip [ the end [ popper ] breaks the sound barrier easily like a bullwhip ]. It's moving very fast. If you can put the strike where you want it, you could pluck eyes out, open the skin up wherever you strike like the neck, face area etc.
When I trained with Scott Homschek out at Keatings Riddle of Steel on the Snake River a few years ago, he has us tapping small styrofome blocks out of the air with them. Most could hit it ocassionally, the others who had some whip practice could reliably snap them in mid air at will most of the time.
A man who knows how to use a bullwhip real well, understands the dynamics involved, puts the time in with them to be "good" with one [ and it takes some long hours on this tool to get there ], would be quite capable of putting a hurt on one or more people as long as it started within that weapons ranges.
I had a "pocket bull" professionally made for me some years back after getting the neckwhips. It's 4 feet long with the popper. It can be carried in a cargo pockets pair of pants coils and accessable quickly, it can be carried around the neck hidden under a loose shirt, the ball at the handle tucked into the waist where it can be drawn with ease.
Scott also had the idea behind these that they could be used defensively after seeing Jim Keating using a bandana to defend against a knife. Not snapping/popping it at the aggressor but one end in each hand to tie up the arm/forearm/hand thats inbound. Some of the wraps and throws Jim is capable of with a bandana are to be seen to be believed. Someone would be hard pressed to get inside that simple yet effective defense with Keating using it.
So he had a few ideas in mind as to how this could be used defensively when he made the neckwhips. I could envision being on a plane and getting the opportunity to take some BG by surprise from behind [ perhaps as he walks down the aisle ], wrap that solid piece of leather braid around his neck and have it broken in short order. Thats just one of many scenarios one could find a potential use for it IMO.
It's there if you need it in certain circumstances, doesn't weight enough to even notice you are wearing it, coils up small enough to put it into a pocket and it's more having something when nothing else will get past scrutiny. The original Scott made me at the Riddle could be said to be a gift from a son or daughter [ in my case a grandson or daughter ] who made it in arts and crafts as a necklace.
I don't practice enough with it in the last year, but rereading this thread will get me back to the backyard and moving it around some.
Here's a few pics of the neck whips
Brownie
