We are not a factory
Everything we sell is made by us. Each item is individually made by us with care and attention to detail.
- We are not hobbyists>
- Your order gets prompt attention
- Capable craftsmanship>
Our Warranty
We stand behind our work. We will promptly repair or replace defective merchandise if the problem is due to a mistake on our part - after all, we are human and sometimes we do make mistakes. Just let us know. We will not be responsible for damage resulting from misuse, abuse, or improper storage/cleaning/conditioning. Please follow our care instructions, especially for our horsehair floggers, to avoid damage. You should expect some wear and tear on your flogger with use and age - nothing lasts forever. However, proper care will ensure many years of service and good looks from your Happy Tails Flogger.
Returns and Refunds
If you decide you don't like your flogger for any reason other than a material defect, to return it for credit or refund, it must be in "like- new" condition. Returns for other than a defect, it does not include the shipping costs. Please contact us before returning a flogger. By making a purchase from us, you are agreeing to these terms.
Important Information!
First, about the leather.
For our handles we use only kangaroo leather; it's 5 times stronger and more durable than cowhide, it wears well, looks great, and gains a wonderful patina with use! For the flogger tails, we personally select all our hides for the very best quality, finish, and handle. We look for good "grain" pattern, the pebbly appearance of the hide surface (or lack thereof), appropriate for that type of hide. We want good "finish" to a hide, it's surface should be evenly dyed and pretty much free of blemishes. And most especially, we want good "hand", that is drape and feel when we examine the hide in our hands. The hand should be appropriate for the hide type - latigo should be stiff and crease-free, while deer and elk should feel "buttery" and drape well.
Hides are organic and subject to surface and internal blemishes due to insect bites and the like, although we try to minimize these. Some hides, like deer and elk, are seasonal in availablity and at times we may have shortages. Occasionally we obtain extra-select or unusual hides which make really unique and special one-of-a-kind toys - you may order these by advance reservation (please inquire). Floggers made from these special hides are higher priced.
Leather and Toy Care
Floggers: We recommend you use a quality leather conditioner on our flogger handles, like Pecard's Dressing. Don't use Neat's Foot Oil; it damages and discolors leather, and causes the fibers to rot! We don't recommend Lexol, either. If the handle gets dirty, lightly wash it with a soft damp cloth and a tad of gentle soap. Don't immerse or soak leather, ever! When dry reapply a light coat of conditioner and wipe with a soft cloth. Some conditioners can discolor the leather, so either test a hidden spot, or contact us for advice before you use it. White is especially sensitive to discoloration with the wrong conditioner.
Never get the tails wet. We don't recommend the use of ANY conditioners or cleaners on flogger tails, so if you do try to wash or santize them somehow, that's at your own risk! Tails are easily discolored, and damaged! Although you may have read or have been told to use a bleach solution, or some sort of cleaner on the tails if you have gotten blood on them or genital secretions, that is false information! We have tested many products and they ALL damage leather, and NONE have been FDA approved for use on leather (porous surfaces). Don't be tempted! The tails do NOT need cleaning or conditioning, and it will usually ruin the leather. Set the used flogger or whip aside for a week, or lay it in the sunshine for a few hours, and it will be good to go. There has NEVER been a known case of disease transmission by flogging.
Your flogger's tails may stretch a little and become uneven with use; this is normal, a flat leather hide was once a 3D animal. Simply trim the stretched tails with a heavy scissors, or contact us and we can trim it for you. Always hang up your flogger when not in use, away from light, heat, and excess humidity. hanging it up will keep the tails free from kinks, creases, or wrinkles. Good air circulation during storage is a must to avoid molds and mildew.
Handles
Total handle length of the handles on most floggers is 9 inches, including the pineapple knots on both ends. Big extra-heavy floggers will usually have longer handles due to counterbalancing needs. If you have small hands and want a big, heavy flogger with a small handle, please inquire for details about how that can be specially done for you. Several of our favorite personal floggers are of this type.
Horsehair Care
Our heavy horsehair floggers require a little special care: We recommend you wash the hair when it becomes dull or dirty. Use any good liquid dish soap, and warm to hot water. The hair is not that fragile and doesn't require fancy soap. Keep the handle dry! Squish the soap suds through the hair with your hands. Rinse well and blot dry with towel, then hang to air dry. It will dry pretty fast. We recommend applying "Cowboy Magic" shine and de-tangler, available at many tack and feed stores (we will be supplying this product in the near future). Follow label directions.
Use a pin brush or wide-toothed comb on the hair. Comb gently in short strokes, working from hair-tip to handle-end in small sections, and ease apart tangles with your fingers as you comb; don't force the comb or brush. Be gentle but firm, like you would with your own hair. Tangles will pull apart easiest if you pull the hair along the plane of it's length, rather than just pulling apart sideways. Regular brushing keeps overall maintenance down and takes only a few minutes. During transport, cover the hair with a long, toeless sock or fabric tube, or braid the hair and put on a rubber band.