My new sling is longer than the one i've been using for the last two years 112 cms (45") vs 71cms (28,5")i find it a bit too long but still comfort to handle



this is another pic showing the split pouch



Retention cord is made to hold it with 3 fingers, cause i can throw bigger rocks with it, see how's the grip

I suspect Vincente has seen a few like this....in his day

Exotic fibers are becoming so strong for their weight that we may soon be able to sling projectiles nearly invisibly.....which makes possible all manner of amazing sling designs.   Like the ergonomic sling handle whose cords retract within and with ammo loaded and butted snug against the mouth of the handle ready for quick action!  Nw,  can you imagine having one in your shirt pocket or attatched to web gear on the chest so that one may pull the ammo outward and into an overhand cast in a smooth high speed motion?..... 8)

Hobb  i use 5 mm nylon cord, it's made of a core of nylon fibers and an external layer of braided  nylon , pretty much like climbing cords, (we use this cord to hang hogs at the slaughterhouse, and they stand up to 300 pounds)
I just use 3 of this cords (about 6 yards each) starting to braid from the middle, 1st i braid the finger/s ring with 3 strand braid, then i join the 3 strands of each side to close the finger/s ring and start braiding the retention cord (3 couples (6 cords) strand braiding)
once i get the desired lenght  of retention cord i separate 3 cords each side and start to braid 2 separate 3 strand (single cord) braid for the split pouch.
once i get the desired lenght of pouch i join again the 6 cords and start  to braid the  release cord (3 strand braidof 3 couples of cord )
When i'm getting the desired lenghth i trim one of the central couple of cords, i burn (melt) the cut zone so fibers don't desinteger and  i sew it to it's fellow with a  strong thread  i con tinue braiding 3 strand ( now  there is only 5 cords, two couples and one single ) and after i've braided about 10 cms i trim again one of the central couple of cords... again burn the cut zone and sew it to it's fellow... then continue braiding (now there are only 4 cords one  couple and 2 singles) continue braiding for another 10 cms or so and trim again one of the last couple strands when it's in the center of the braid,...  again burn the cut and sew it to it's couple... and continue braiding 3 single strand braid for another 10 cms or so, then sew this 3 strands together and  desinteger some of the fibers to make the end fluffy tail (this will make a CRACK! sound when slinging, like a whip.
And that's all... i'm planning to post some pics step by step so anybody can make his/her own sling... it's easy and quick to make



^ Here you can see the whip-like end of the releasing cord,  note the 3 central stiches where the central couple strands have been trimmed one of its cords, and the final  sewing and around tie before the fluffy end.



^  Here you can see how the split  pouch is made... 3 strand braid of 6 cords (3 couples)  is separated into 2 braids of 3 single cord each, and then join together again when the split pouch is done.
This is the traditional way slings are done here (shepards used natural fibers, mainly pita (agave americana) or any other strong enough at hand hemp, linen etc...) remember... as long as it has a pouch and a retention and release cords it's a sling

I must say I'm very impressed with your clean braiding and the modification of the retention chord.

I have made a similar sling (not as tight though) which I take cross country running. I have tried to modify the release chord with an extension of knots passed through the finger loop, which I use to secure my running gear on my back and tied at the front. The sling acts as part of my running pack but is released at the front when I want to sling.
I do attempt to run and sling at the same time but I'm sure you can guess what my aim is like.

Anyway, nice sling Zorrro

True Vicente, i have seen  shepards here in  Andalucia at Sierranevada Range the same model Made of pita but a lot shorter, may be 30 to 40 cms... finger ring was for index, and they were by far a lot more accurate than me, and similar or even longer range than  me despite my sling was 3 times larger than theirs... I copied the whip-like and fluffy end they had cause i find  nice the sound it makes very useful for scarying out wild bulls/cows or uncontrolled dogs... if i can't  hit them, or close enough, at least i can scary them with the shot-like sound
I've made retention finger ring for 1,2,3 and 4 (full hand) fingers, and even a wrist ring, (once upon a time i liked to sling biiig rocks )and all were comfort to use  i think just a mater of what you get used to.

That is a beautiful sling. Seeing as how my sling just bit the dust, I may have to braid myself one of those.

I had never considered a 3 or more finger retention loop, or even a release cord that is held by the whole hand! I always just pinched it with my thumb and index finger knuckle. Those are great pics by the way.

Yeah I just made one last night out of some cotton cord. It's pretty heavy duty! I have actuallly never used a split pocket like that, so in a bit here I'm gonna go in the backyard and give it a try.

Also, I had to ration my cord since I didnt have a whole lot, but the sling still ended up being the length of my palm to the middle of my bicep. I'm used to a sling 6 inches longer, so we'll see how it goes.

Thanks again for showing us this cool design.

Hey Zorro, what size rocks do you use with that thing?