I’ll see your CrankyOldBastard and see you a Sovran, especially his TopShelf models. 😉 But seriously, if you want quality, there are many a fine maker out there, but in my experience, cheap ain’t good, and good ain’t cheap. Ask folks in your local groups or functions you may attend to give you pointers on learning, and makers, and types…most folks who love flogging will be more than happy to go on at length about their favorites and share proper techniques to study. Just be sure you look, but don’t touch their floggers without permission first!