This Roman inspired Cat-O-Nine Tails Genuine Leather Whip is a fully functional leather whip. The cat-O-nine-tails leather whip is constructed from genuine leather, it is 21" overall. This leather WIP makes a great conversation piece, it is also known as a leather flogger whip. The original Romain flagrum or scourge style A cat-o-nine tails is a whip consists of nine pieces of cord each tied with a series of knots. The Cat-O-Nine-Tails Whip is a device traditionally used to punished sailors in the British Royal Navy by whipping their bare backs, causing intense pain. It is thought the cat-o-nine tails got its name from the 'scratches' it left on a man's back. The a fun fact the Roman flagrum or scourge was NOT called a Cat of Nine Tails.