About the Whipmaker
Every WhipWorks whip is built by hand, one plait at a time, by me — Adam Fieldson. No factory, no production line. Just a craftsman, a spool of paracord, and a passion for a modern take on an art form that's been around for centuries.
How It Started
My fascination with whips started where it does for a lot of us — Indiana Jones. I probably wore out those VHS tapes as a kid in the '90s. But it went from fascination to obsession when my family moved to Melbourne, Australia for a few years. My mom picked up a cheap 4-plait stockwhip with a cane handle at a local tac shop, and I spent hours in the backyard learning to crack it, guided by nothing but a Mick Denigan instructional VHS and sheer stubbornness.
Years later, in college, I stumbled on Nick Schrader's viral "How to Make a Bullwhip" video and thought — I could do that. I ordered some paracord, and Bullwhip #1 was born: an all-diamond-plaited green monstrosity. It wasn't pretty, but it cracked, and I was hooked.
Life took me to New York City for a while to pursue other interests, but I was starved for a creative outlet. When I eventually landed in Minneapolis with more space, all that pent-up creative energy came pouring out — and it went straight into whipmaking. Those early years were a blast. I'd make whips, sell them on Etsy, and pour the earnings right back into more materials and more experiments. WhipWorks has been a constant in my life for over a decade now, and I'm in the middle of a bit of a renaissance — reinspired and excited about what's coming next.
The Craft
I work with 550 paracord, and I've spent years pushing the material to its limits. I started with paracord because of how accessible it is, but I stayed because of how versatile it is. With over 30 colors to work with, the creative possibilities are enormous — from clean, classic designs to bold custom color combinations.
Each whip takes roughly 5 to 10 hours to build, depending on the length and features. I love plaiting — it's my safe space. Put something on in the background and just plait. There's a rhythm to it that I never get tired of.
I believe my whips are among the highest-quality 550 paracord bullwhips you can order. They're built strong for target work and rugged outdoor use, and they're equally at home on a stage or at a cosplay event. Functional art — that's what I'm going for.
Who Are Whips For?
My whips are for everyone — from the rural hobbyist to the urban burlesque performer. I'm aware that whips carry a complicated history, and I don't take that lightly. But the whip is also an incredible tool — the first man-made object to break the sound barrier. I want WhipWorks to be a welcoming place for anyone who appreciates the craft.
Sharing the Craft
One of the things that brings me the most joy is hearing from new whipmakers who've used my tutorials to build their first whip. I've put together an instructional video series and printable blueprints that walk you through the process step by step, and I plan to do a lot more to share this craft with others. If you've ever been curious about whipmaking, I'd love to help you get started.
Have questions about a custom whip, want to talk shop, or just want to say hey? I'd love to hear from you — get in touch.