Whip Care

Indiana Jones is a household name nowadays thanks to the success of the three movies – and the vivid image of adventure that he and his world present. Many human beings harbor a secret urge for discovery, for finding out bizarre, ancient, and wondrous secrets, and for – vicariously at least – venturing into colorful and dangerous locations and coming out alive to tell the tale of the strange things seen there. These escapes from the ordinary are more than a psychological relief – they also remind us that there is more to our reality than the narrow limits of our everyday lives, even if they do so in a fantastical, improbable way.

In honor of both the bullwhip-toting archaeologist-adventurer and these interesting possibilities, you may want to dress up as Indiana Jones for Halloween, or just for a party, for a film or gaming convention, or one of many other possible occasions when a costume might be fun to wear. It helps us both to relax and to gain fresh perspectives to shed our own identity slightly for a few hours, and take on that of a fictional hero – especially one with such memorable lines as “that’s why they call it the jungle, sweetheart!” and “I think we got a big problem.”

The Indiana Jones 6’ Leather Whip Costume Accessory by Rubies’ Costume Company is an adult-sized replica for fans of the film series to use in completing their costumes. The smaller versions made for children would not be well-suited for this purpose, since they would look comically small, but a six-foot long whip is big enough to command respect and make you resemble an Indiana Jones-style adventurer.  The handle is specially reinforced, and the whip can be coiled or left free for visual effect.

This whip is constructed mostly for looks, of course, since a genuine bullwhip costs several hundred dollars and this one will set you back only a few. However, it does do an excellent job of looking like an actual bullwhip – and it can actually be cracked, although you should be sparing with your whip-cracking, since the construction is not as strong as a real lash and cracking it will eventually cause the braided tip to begin to unravel. This can be repaired if it is caught early enough, so if you plan on cracking your whip at the costume event or party you are attending, you should always check afterwards for signs of the tip coming apart. You should also be careful, since it’s possible to hit yourself or other people by accident when cracking a whip.

Nothing looks like leather like the real thing, and although its construction falls at the “costume” rather than the “practical” end of the spectrum, this six-foot leather whip will still intrigue you and impress your friends when you show up at an event with it coiled at your belt or trailing casually around your shoulders. Add an Indiana Jones hat, a costume accessory “gun belt,” and everyone will be expecting you to talk about your latest experiences with lost idols and deadly serpents.