Whips are highly specialised discipline punishment instruments with a rich French flavour. The French methodically disciplined unruly boys and girls for over a hundred years with the martinet, using it in schools and homes until the late 1970s for corporal punishment. This highly specialised instrument was refined into its modern form by Major Martinet, of the French military academy St. Cyr, (the equivalent of Sandhurst or West Point), who desired to develop an implement suitable for punishing officer cadets on their bare bottoms.
None of the paddles, straps, strops, belts, or tawses leaves the delicate lash marks unique to Martinets. Don’t let the size of The Traditional French Martinet deceive you! These delightful Martinets can gently caress but can also imprint long narrow nettle stings that leave a lasting impression and quickly correct unacceptable behaviour.
At the time of the French Revolution, as the most common of people were fighting for their rights, it seemed fitting to name the Republic after the most common of French women’s names: Marie and Anne. The account made of their exploits by the Revolutionaries often contained a reference to a certain Marianne (or Marie-Anne) wearing a Phrygian cap. This pretty girl of legend inspired the revolutionaries, and looked after those wounded in the many battles across the country.
Marie’s French Martinet is made with 14 , 20 inch long heavy lashes and is attached to a 7 inch tapered leather handle. The French Martinet comes with a wrist strap so it may be hung as a deterrent to those naughty boys and girls.
All our implements are made from our thick Oak Bark Tanned Harness Leather and in a choice of Rich Tobacco Brown or Black. They are hand-crafted from beginning to end, made with care and attention for the perfect piece. It is bevelled and burnished to a glass-smooth finish, with a saddlers crease around the edge. Not only amazing to use and feel, but beautiful to the eye too.
Although we try to select the perfect piece of leather for our implements, sometimes the leather does have slight blemishes and grain. Also, because this is a natural material, colour may vary slightly from hide to hide. This however, we feel is what adds to its individual natural character.
ATTENTION: All our products require professional use to prevent unwanted injury. The London Tanners are not liable for any injury.
Nick, The London Tanners