Slinging.org Forum - Old vs. New

timann

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Re: Old vs. New
Reply #30 - Apr 16^th, 2012, 11:04am

Quote from slingingrat on Apr 14^th, 2012, 3:19pm:

I think cost has some to do with it i can make a very nice plant fiber sling for about 1$ where as a 550 cord sling with a steel finger loop like the one in the pic cost about 10$ to make but it dose last a lot longer

Cost is important. The cheap hemp I often use is cheap, and wool knitting yarn is also wery cheap around here. If this materials had been in any way expensive I would not have bothered using them as often as I do, but instead used other cheap materials. I have also made slings from many kinds of materials because I cold get them for free.
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Pikåru

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Re: Old vs. New
Reply #31 - Apr 16^th, 2012, 1:18pm

Quote from MikeRouten on Apr 13^th, 2012, 12:57pm:

As a newbie to slinging, I'm hoping some of you more "seasoned" folks can shed some light on a question.

I see a lot of people focusing on creating ethnic or historic designs and not many people taking advantage of modern materials in their slings.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not disparaging the crafting of something beautiful and functional! I personally have made bows from staves, and hand-forged damascus steel to make my own knives. I get it.

What I'm wondering though, is if it is possible to improve our designs using modern materials?

Is there any great benefit to woven jute over amsteel dyneema?

I see the benefit of knowing how to make cordage and then use that cordage to make a working tool/weapon for survival purposes, but how many of us would realistically be in that kind of situation?

Again, not meaning to offend or be inflammatory. I'm just trying to understand and get some perspective on where people stand with regards to old vs. new.

Thanks,

Mike

One of the best slings, from a performance standpoint that I've braided and wove was 6mm Bonnie Macrame Cord made of polyolefin that I picked up from Hobby Lobby. I got it because it was cheap and I needed practice with a material that wouldn't tangle so easily. I test everything I make and was shocked the first time I threw with this sling because it seemed very fluid. Lead from this sling went so far and controlling the accuracy was different than with leather. It changed my mind on using some fibers. I know some guys use mason line and I'm guessing they are probably very good slings as well. I have also thought about using silk cord.

I prefer leather over natural fibers and overall craft most of my stuff out of natural materials because I am more of a purist when it comes to things like this. I also know the advantages that technology has brought us and I do carry with me and occasionally use a few synthetics.

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fletch_man

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Re: Old vs. New
Reply #32 - Apr 16^th, 2012, 1:35pm

Thanks for the pics, Pikaru. I'm going to add a couple too. These little combat hunters are all about 24" and they're made from Handy Hundred cord, artificial sinew, duck decoy line, mason cord and harness thread. They are so bad-a$$, they all have names. Clockwise from 12:00 they are: "Chocolate Chips", "Mr. Sinew", "Duck Boy", "Black Eyed Peas", "Little Duck Boy" and "Halloween Man". The pouches are all heavy latigo leather with the tensioned cup. All the cords are waxed and the little tick marks where it transitions from a 4 plait into a herringbone can be used as a visual grip marker for different types of ammo.

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fletch_man

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Re: Old vs. New
Reply #33 - Apr 16^th, 2012, 1:40pm

Also, if you guys remember that excellent Chammoro sisal sling Pikaru made, well, he sent it to me and now it's mine all mine. However, I'm sending Piks these three little numbers for his synthetic materials research. They are: "Chocolate Chips" whom you've met already, "Mr. Natural" made out of hemp, and "Rave" made out of flourescent mason line. If you find yourself with a desire to "Disco" under that black light, "Rave" is your man. Remember guys, Nothing say's "Date Me" like showing up at the club and busting a few moves with your sling...................................

Got these babies in the mail today Piks, thanks again for that Bad-A$$ Chammorro..................

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MikeRouten

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Re: Old vs. New
Reply #34 - Apr 16^th, 2012, 2:21pm

Fletch_man,

Those slings are works of art! If you don't mind me asking, do you have any suggestions on how to improve my braiding skills? Any websites or books you can suggest?

My first (and currently only) sling looks like my neighbor's dog braided it.

Also, how stiff should the leather be when building that type of "pocket"?

Thanks!

Mike

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Rat Man

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Re: Old vs. New
Reply #35 - Apr 16^th, 2012, 3:24pm

Quote from timann on Apr 15^th, 2012, 2:14pm:

Quote from Rat Man on Apr 15^th, 2012, 1:54pm:

Quote from Morphy on Apr 14^th, 2012, 9:44pm:

Olympic archery rigs have all sorts of crazy gizmos to get every last advantage possible no matter how small. When you get to such a high level, even the smallest things can mean the difference between winning and losing. That's kind of what I am thinking with that comment. Again, whether it's true or not, who knows. I would have to withhold any conclusions until I knew for sure.

I agree. If you were slinging for every last fraction of an inch at that sort of level possibly the lesser wind resistance and stretch of a sling made with synthetic material(s) would give you a very small (inches if that?) advantage. For normal, everyday use though I'd say there's no difference.

The real differece comes, as I see it, with the use of a sinlge strand of syntetic stuff. 1 to perhaps less than 3 millimeters, and way thinner than paracord. Thinner than you`d trust a natural material, it can be used safely for ultra-slim distance slings.
As soon as strands of this super strong materials is braided together it becomes thicker and looses it`s obvious advantage.
timann

I agree with this for the most part but you can reach a point, regardless of strength, where the cords are too thin. Then they're always getting twisted up or ending up with slack when you don't want it while firing. I find that cords have to have at least some size and weight to them or they're useless.

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Pikåru

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Re: Old vs. New
Reply #36 - Apr 16^th, 2012, 3:55pm

Fletch: It's true what they say, "Timing is everything". I was just deciding what to wear for my next Rave. Thank you. It is the accessories that make the outfit.

I'm glad the sling arrived okay now I'm anxious to see if you like how she throws. Her name is Seda which means silk. I'm looking forward to receiving and using your slings!

Mike: The secret to good braiding, like with most other things is good practice. Sloppy practice makes for sloppy results.

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fletch_man

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Re: Old vs. New
Reply #37 - Apr 16^th, 2012, 4:20pm

Quote from Pikaru on Apr 16^th, 2012, 3:55pm:

Fletch: It's true what they say, "Timing is everything". I was just deciding what to wear for my next Rave. Thank you. It is the accessories that make the outfit.

I'm glad the sling arrived okay now I'm anxious to see if you like how she throws. Her name is Seda which means silk. I'm looking forward to receiving and using your slings!

Mike: The secret to good braiding, like with most other things is good practice. Sloppy practice makes for sloppy results.

"He's a dancin', dancin', dancin' machine. Watch him get down, watch him get down....."

Sometimes, I miss the 80's. As far as "Seda" goes, she throws as smooth as a baby's butt. She floats like a butterfly and stings like a bee........................................Thank You again,

Fletch

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fletch_man

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Re: Old vs. New
Reply #38 - Apr 16^th, 2012, 4:33pm

Quote from MikeRouten on Apr 16^th, 2012, 2:21pm:

Fletch_man,

Those slings are works of art! If you don't mind me asking, do you have any suggestions on how to improve my braiding skills? Any websites or books you can suggest?

My first (and currently only) sling looks like my neighbor's dog braided it.

Also, how stiff should the leather be when building that type of "pocket"?

Thanks!

Mike

I like 4 strand round braid, what I call 4 plait, even if the cords are doubled or tripled depending on their thickness. Towards the end I feed in a double strand of mason line or harness thread, something kind of thin and that makes my 5th strand for the herringbone braid. Then I have a double strand on each end of the retention loop or release tab that I can west country whip. I like heavier leather that wears in, not out. Usually utility or harness grade. You can also rub beeswax onto a pouch and melt it in with a blow dryer to make your own. The ends of the pouch are split, about an inch and a half in, holes punched and then folded over each other to form that tensioned cup. The pouches start at 3X6 inches. Piks is right, just braid. The more you braid, the better you get. Beeswax helps keep the braids tight and forms a protective coating against moisture and UV when you hit it with the blowdryer. Enjoy,

Fletch

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Pikåru Interfector Viris Spurii Experience teaches only the teachable... Posts: 1360 Gender:	Re: Old vs. New Reply #39 - Apr 16^th, 2012, 4:51pm Oh! Again with the beeswax! You are one of those crazed beeswax fanatics you hear about on TV, living in the Arizona desert milking goats, collecting wives and eating egg sandwiches. Seriously Mike. The Fletch loves his beeswax and for good reason. It works great.
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timann

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Re: Old vs. New
Reply #40 - Apr 17^th, 2012, 1:03pm

Quote from Rat Man on Apr 16^th, 2012, 3:24pm:

Quote from timann on Apr 15^th, 2012, 2:14pm:

Quote from Rat Man on Apr 15^th, 2012, 1:54pm:

Quote from Morphy on Apr 14^th, 2012, 9:44pm:

Olympic archery rigs have all sorts of crazy gizmos to get every last advantage possible no matter how small. When you get to such a high level, even the smallest things can mean the difference between winning and losing. That's kind of what I am thinking with that comment. Again, whether it's true or not, who knows. I would have to withhold any conclusions until I knew for sure.

I agree. If you were slinging for every last fraction of an inch at that sort of level possibly the lesser wind resistance and stretch of a sling made with synthetic material(s) would give you a very small (inches if that?) advantage. For normal, everyday use though I'd say there's no difference.

The real differece comes, as I see it, with the use of a sinlge strand of syntetic stuff. 1 to perhaps less than 3 millimeters, and way thinner than paracord. Thinner than you`d trust a natural material, it can be used safely for ultra-slim distance slings.
As soon as strands of this super strong materials is braided together it becomes thicker and looses it`s obvious advantage.
timann

I agree with this for the most part but you can reach a point, regardless of strength, where the cords are too thin. Then they're always getting twisted up or ending up with slack when you don't want it while firing. I find that cords have to have at least some size and weight to them or they're useless.

Exactly. I have used horrible thin slings that, among other issues, needed to be untangled between each shot, and after a couple of shots I was more than happy to pick up a braided favorite, so I could enjoy slinging again.
timann

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fletch_man

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Re: Old vs. New
Reply #41 - Apr 17^th, 2012, 2:02pm

Quote from Pikaru on Apr 16^th, 2012, 4:51pm:

Oh! Again with the beeswax! You are one of those crazed beeswax fanatics you hear about on TV, living in the Arizona desert milking goats, collecting wives and eating egg sandwiches. Cheesy

Seriously Mike. The Fletch loves his beeswax and for good reason. It works great.

?????? I'm not seeing the downside to this scenario.

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Rockman Interfector Viris Spurii Slinging Rocks! Posts: 1195 Gender:	Re: Old vs. New Reply #42 - Apr 18^th, 2012, 3:18pm Whatever advantages of synthetic fiber would only limit to tear and wear resistance, not distance of throws. I use acrylic wool for the cracker because it doesn´t shred to pieces when it cracks, as opposed to natural fibers which slowly destroy itself.
Back to top	Preserving the sling, mankind´s original Magnum. Rookie slingers are modern superheroes: Never far away from trouble. Rockman sling tutorial: http://slinging.org/index.php?page=how-to-make-a-rockman-sling---bruno-tosso IP Logged

Pikåru

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Re: Old vs. New
Reply #43 - Apr 22^nd, 2012, 1:02am

Quote from fletch_man on Apr 16^th, 2012, 1:40pm:

Also, if you guys remember that excellent Chammoro sisal sling Pikaru made, well, he sent it to me and now it's mine all mine. However, I'm sending Piks these three little numbers for his synthetic materials research. They are: "Chocolate Chips" whom you've met already, "Mr. Natural" made out of hemp, and "Rave" made out of flourescent mason line. If you find yourself with a desire to "Disco" under that black light, "Rave" is your man. Remember guys, Nothing say's "Date Me" like showing up at the club and busting a few moves with your sling...................................

Got these babies in the mail today Piks, thanks again for that Bad-A$$ Chammorro..................

I received my slings from Mr. Fletch before I hit the road this week. Fletch is definately a master of his craft. The pictures he posted of these slings does not do them justice as you cannot readily see the attention to detail and craftmanship put into his work. I threw with all of them and can't decide which one I like the best as the all perform well. I might have to resort to 'enie-meanie-miny-mo' for the final draw. Thanks Fletch!

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