Whips can be constructed of a variety of materials, including Kangaroo hide ("Australian"), cowhide ("American"), and nylon cording. However, materials don't necessarily make the whip -- it is the method used to braid the materials. Good whips actually are several whips braided within each other forming the 'core' of the whip. Cheaper whips often only have a rope piece as the core instead of a braided whip.