In one of my previous posts There is a photo of my slings. One is an 8-strand hemp braid split into 2 4-strand to make the pouch and then back to 8-strand as a finish. This sling was stiff for a braid, I thought, due to the hemp I used.

Untill    I processed the sling with a trip through the washing machine. Now this sling is quite soft and fluffy. I don't think the overall strength was reduced by much and it does not whistle as much when I cast. 

I may need to process all of my hemp braids this way. Any thoughts from the fiber-folk about processing a finished braid; before attaching to a leather pouch.

i just love the stink of the hemp, so i made 2 hemp braided slings today.

(i have been slinging for just two sling trips now, but i learned a lot from you guys, so that made a start smoother)

i use standard 3-strings braid, but double them, to make it thicker (6 strings, treated as 3 - braided in pairs)

i am still fascinated with the simplicity of a one string sling knot, so i used it in this braided too, altough i do understand the setbacks of that pouch design.

they have a wrist loop, because i have no more skin to spare on my middle finger, one is from the tip of the fingers to the elbow (when doubled back) long, and the other from the elbow (hand down the body, than at 90 degrees) to the ground (also doubled).

shorter is intended for apache throws, wich i find easier to make with heavier stones, and the longer one for figure 8, and underhand with semi-overhead release (and a step forward), who are easier to control with smaller stones.


it's difficult do measure distance on a watersurface (i have a lake with shores of pebbels in a town, 1 hour tram ride away) because of a lack of land-marks for orientation, but i think i casted one more than 50 meters (with underhand).


is anybody else using a one-string-sling pouch?


p.s. today is a first day after the last trip (4 days ago) that i can use my right hand normally, with no soulder-ache.
damned apache