The Beginning:

Many years ago I started making small leather items such as bracelets, key fobs, dog leads and belts. I quickly fell in love with leather and its properties and one day I got an idea: “Wouldn’t it be cool to make a bullwhip to put on the wall?”.

This little idea was the spark that initiated a major take-off. It sent me on a journey learning everything I could about whips and how to make them.

I read everything I could get my hands on, I picked the brains of some of the worlds finest makers and whip crackers. Many of whom I’m glad to call my friends today.

Once I had wrapped my brains around the basics of the craft I started to cherry pick the best techniques from the best makers, the best characteristics from the best whips I got my hands on, and combining them into my own personal style.

Present day:

I now have over a decade of experience making whips, and have done so professionally full-time since early 2018. My whip making has earned me a solid reputation around the world and I am a multi-award winning Whip Making Champion. On December 25th 2023 I was inducted into the Bullwhip Hall of Fame (Minnesota, USA) for my contributions to the whip world. Other inductees on that same day were Michelle Pfeiffer and Harrison Ford for their iconic roles as Catwoman and Indiana Jones.

I am the author of the book How To Make Quality Kangaroo Leather Whips which serves as a solid foundation for anyone looking to get into the craft.

Apart from just making whips I teach braiding-/whipmaking & whip cracking classes for both professional leather crafters looking to expand their skills and beginners wanting to take their first few steps in the art.

Today I make whips for performers, enthusiasts, world record holders and the entertainment industry.

Using my hands to create functional works of art and to have that art bring joy to others is what it’s all about.

– Johnny Öhgren

Whipmaker & Owner of Witchcraft Whips