The crack of a bullwhip commands attention and respect. Bullwhip play is gaining popularity as a precision athletic sport, like archery -- and with the advent of the new S&M which emphasizes safe, sane and consensual play between adults, the erotic potential of the single-tail whip is being rediscovered.

Robert Dante shows the various throws and explains in layman's terms the physics behind every crack of a whip. He explains what to look (and listen) for in a good whip and gives tips on how to improve accuracy and efficiency. He also graphically illustrates games and tricks to sharpen one's whip-handling ability.

With the help of their assistants, the Dantes demonstrate in three scenes how to play at beginner, intermediate and advanced levels of whip proficiency, emphasizing safety and responsibility at every step in this informative and erotic video.
The fully-scored, 67-minute video was filmed in Madame X's Toronto Studio and features whip coach and bullwhip expert Robert Dante, with Mary Dante, Carolyn Kelly and Mercedes Alexander.
Dante's bullwhip SM play was featured on Home Box Office's "Real Sex" episode 13, "Whiplash." Dante has presented bullwhip workshops at such events as Living In Leather, New York's Leatherfest and Dressing for Pleasure.
Film approved by Ontario Film Board.

This is the first tape this reviewer has seen that addresses the psychological, sensual and technical issues of actually delivering a "distant caress" with a Bullwhip to a consenting adult's unprotected body. Other instructional tapes deal with developing Wild West performing artistry consisting of loud, complex cracking, and hitting targets, never one's partner.

This tape shows how you can hit a partner with pleasurable effect on both sides and how you can play erotically and sensually with different levels of contact from a painless caress to a welt raising strike. Robert Dante, doyen of BDSM's long-lash subculture, reveals an almost meditative style of whip-handling, far more suitable to the purpose than the athletic performances of even the best cowboy artists.
After reviewing the basics of whip design and whipcracking theory and touching on the three basic strokes he uses, Dante begins to actually show how long-lash scenes can be created at different levels of intensity. Rather than lecturing us, he allows us to witness several scenes with his very attractive partners Mercedes Alexander, Carolyn Kelly and Mary Dante (who swings a pretty sexy bullwhip herself).
Viewers will have little doubt that the scenes they see are completely real -- physically, emotionally and sensually. In fact, an empathetic viewer may find that nearly half the tape's 67 minutes can be viewed for erotic entertainment as well as for elevating instruction.
As a total novice's introduction to the concept of Single-tail Whip play, or as guidance to intermediate-level whipcrackers ready to begin human contact, this is a tape you will want to see over and over again

Video is $25.00, shipping included. This video includes semi-nudity and consensual SM. It is for adult viewing only. All performers over 18.

"Dante ... enjoys a place in the pantheon of single-tail artistry up there with Indiana Jones, Lash LaRue and Zorro."
Editor Earnest Green in Hustler's Taboo Magazine

From BLACKSHEETS
VIDEO -- Bullwhip: Art of the Single-Tail Whip
67 mins.
Reviewed by Doug Harrison (AKA Puma)

Have you ever heard the loud crack of a single-tail whip at an S/M play party, pushed your way through the crowd to watch a top accurately caress a grateful bottom with a six foot bullwhip, and wished you possessed such skill? If so, this tape is for you.

AIDS has provoked the necessity for safer sex. Hence, safe, sane consensual S/M play between adults has grown in popularity. Spanking has led to flogging, and flogging to the use of signal whips and bullwhips. Most of us can learn the art of sensual spanking by observation, intuition and communication with our partners. Flogging, particularly with a small, soft whip, can be approached in a similar manner by a beginning top, although a few words from an expert are helpful. Bullwhipping, on the other hand, can be extremely dangerous and must not be attempted on a partner without careful instruction and extended practice on an inanimate objects.
So where do you get instruction? The videotape Bullwhip: Art of the Single-Tail Whip more than fills this need. Not only does it provide detailed bullwhipping instruction for the beginning and advanced top, it demonstrates how to play at beginner, intermediate and advanced levels with three sensual scenes.
Bullwhip coach and top Robert Dante begins with a discussion of bullwhip types and the physics of whip cracking. This is followed by a detailed explanation and demonstration of three basic strokes. The script is well-written, informative and nicely paced. Robert has a relaxed style that instills confidence.
Robert then plays with Mercedes at the beginner level. Although Robert does not actually strike Mercedes with the cracker the scene is psychologically powerful; at one point I could almost feel the whip moving softly around Mercedes.
The second scene is between top Mary Dante and novice Carolyn. The camera angles capture the fluidity and beauty of Mary's motions in a manner that is instructional for a beginning top. It is Carolyn's first experience with a bull whip. The cracker does make contact with Carolyn but no marks are left. Her comments are heartfelt: "It feels great. It's a sharp sting and then followed by an amazing warmth that spreads through where it hits.... No human tongue can do this.... Everywhere I'm tingling."

The video continues with an entr'acte where Robert gives pointers on sharpening skills, caveats for advanced play, and games to improve accuracy. Three memorable quotations: "Don't think about playing with somebody at any sort of contact level with a bullwhip until you can take a quarter of an inch at a time off a leaf on a tree." "To hurt another person becomes S/M, becomes a craft, becomes an art when you can hurt somebody so you both enjoy it." "Playing at the edge is a hell of a thrill."
The final scene is advanced play with Robert as top and Mary as bottom. The whipping is accurate and sensitive, a good summary of Robert's main points. I especially enjoyed the banter between the two partners who obviously were very comfortable playing with each other. A final memorable quote by Robert: "You know somebody loves you when they'll give you this."

This reviewer has four suggestions: (1) Robert's opening remarks could include a discussion and demonstration of how to grasp a bullwhip. (2) Nothing was said about the necessity for cleaning marked body areas and recommendations for solutions and techniques, particularly in the context of larger whips whose crackers can be dragged along the floor. (3) Likewise, nothing was mentioned about cleaning of crackers. I know tops who will use a cracker in heavy play on only one bottom, and then discard it. Other tops have individual concoctions and techniques for cleaning crackers. I feel Robert should have given guidance in this important area, particularly in this age of AIDS awareness. (4) Robert mentions that an edge player will be more accurate with a shorter whip. I assume he means four feet to six feet long (since he mentions earlier in the tape it is easier to learn with these lengths); it would be helpful if this point were clarified. Also, although endorsements may tread on sensitive ground, a recommendation of manufacturer, whip type and length for a beginner's starter kit would be a welcome addition to the tape. In fact, two whip dealers are listed at the end of the tape, but Robert's explicit guidelines for the beginner would be helpful.
The height of most playspaces will only allow the use of three-foot or four foot signal whips. Hence, these implements have really grown in popularity. Therefore, a video by Robert on the techniques of handling these short single-tail whips would be welcome.
In summary, this videotape gets a stupendous rating! It provides instruction on the art of bullwhipping in an S/M context that is easy to follow and thorough; it emphasizes physical and psychological safety throughout; and it is sensual with a strong erotic appeal. In fact, it can stand alone as an example of safe, sane, consensual, and sensuous S/M play with an intimate, almost spiritual connection between top and bottom. I would show it to an S/M novice as an example of S/M best practices even if the novice had no inherent interest in bullwhipping. In closing, I would run to any workshop led by Robert Dante.

Video is $25.00, shipping included.