Slinging.org Forum - What do you use sling for?

benkolmer Senior Member Offline Stone re-allocation specialist. Posts: 369 Gender:	What do you use sling for? Apr 24^th, 2012 at 7:51pm Good evening! (at least here in PA) I am working on my section of the slinging book and part of my task is to write about the sling's use. While I have much of this completed, I am curious as to how and why all of you sling, and what your primary motivation for slinging is. Thanks, Ben Kolmer
Back to top	IP Logged

Mauro Fiorentini past-moderator Offline Forge your future with the hammer of your mind! Posts: 3442 Ancona, Italy. Gender:	Re: What do you use sling for? Reply #1 - Apr 24^th, 2012 at 8:05pm Throwing stones to both mobile and static targets (with a very limited hit ratio) and walking my wonderful dog when I forgot the leash at home Oh, and experimental archaeology and whatever is related to it, see the Wonderful Post about the Settimana della cultura Greetings and good night (here in Italy), Mauro.
Back to top	Like! https://www.facebook.com/Arte-Picena-238289793027749/timeline/ Greetings, Mauro. Mauro Fiorentini - 339-525 IP Logged

Atlatlista Ex Member	Re: What do you use sling for? Reply #2 - Apr 24^th, 2012 at 11:02pm I practice the sling so that I can become proficient in its use, both as a form of experimental archaeology, and as a practical wilderness survival tool.
Back to top	IP Logged

Matt Borel Descens Offline I can almost hit almost anything. Posts: 122 Portland, Oregon Gender:	Re: What do you use sling for? Reply #3 - Apr 25^th, 2012 at 12:12am Sport. Recreation. Hobby. But then, there's something else about it that makes me really relate to that iconic photo of Hunter Thompson shooting a magnum revolver at his typewriter. After you kill your typewriter with a sling, you can slink away with a much smaller bulge in your pocket.
Back to top	I don't care if I'm a geek,&&I'm going to make a sling a week. IP Logged

Aussie

Past Moderator

Offline

Joined Nov. 1, 2006 Luke
14:14

Posts: 3265
Melbourne, Australia
Gender: male

Re: What do you use sling for?
Reply #4 - Apr 25^th, 2012 at 12:49am

Quote:

I practice the sling so that I can become proficient in its use, both as a form of experimental archaeology, and as a practical wilderness survival tool.

I'm really intrigued by this notion of the sling being a, "practical survival tool". Much as I enjoy slinging I just can't see its being very practical at all. In fact I suggest that any person who relies on his/her sling for survival, should ensure the sling is strong enough to support their body weight, as the most practical use of a survival sling is to hang yourself to avoid the pain of actually starving to death.

BTW To answer the original question, I sling because it's all absorbing FUN.

Back to top

Cranks are little things that make revolutions.&&

IP Logged

Morphy Slinging.org Moderator Offline Checkmate Posts: 8102	Re: What do you use sling for? Reply #5 - Apr 25^th, 2012 at 1:35am I also practice it for a possible survival/SHTF weapon if the occasion ever arises. As well as one of the few hobbies in life that I don't get easily bored of. Also it's a babe magnet but since I'm married now I wear a T-Shirt that says "Taken" while slinging. Just so no one gets the wrong idea.
Back to top	IP Logged

Curious Aardvark

Forum Moderation

Offline

Taller than the average
Dwarf

Posts: 13965
Midlands England
Gender: male

Re: What do you use sling for?
Reply #6 - Apr 25^th, 2012 at 6:08am

started slinging as part of a long term 'learn a physical skill while I walk the dogs' program. That had previously seen me learn to spin a staff or club, usea yo-yo and juggle - yes all these things can be done while walking through fields and woods

I guess my main use of a sling is to teach rocks to fly - the further the better

Also used to throw things for the dogs, so I'm quite adept at missing a moving target (different skill to hitting a moving target lol)
I've always been athrowing stuff oriented person so to be able to throw things a very long way - is an end in itself

Hitting things is secondary to my sling use.

Back to top

Do All things with Honour and Generosity: Regret Nothing, Envy None, Apologise Seldom and Bow your head to No One - works for me

IP Logged

perpetualstudent

Interfector Viris Spurii

Offline

Slinging Rocks!

Posts: 1405
Gender: male

Re: What do you use sling for?
Reply #7 - Apr 25^th, 2012 at 7:40am

It relaxes me in a similar fashion to target shooting (which I can't do while I live in NYC). It helps me keep control of myself, there's an important aspect of self-discipline for me at least. It also gives me something to do with my hands even when I can't use it. I like making slings and trying them out, making something and then using it gives me pleasure and a feeling of accomplishment.

I'm more with Aussie on the question of WTSHTF and slinging. Unless I was lobbing incendiaries into an oncoming mob I doubt I could use to any real effect. That said I wish to become accurate with it so that it might be useful in such a situation.

Back to top

"Facts stand wholly outside our gates; they are what they are, and no more;they know nothing about themselves and they pass no judgement upon themselves. What is it, then, that pronounces the judgement? Our own guide and ruler, Reason."

IP Logged

Aussie Past Moderator Offline Joined Nov. 1, 2006 Luke 14:14 Posts: 3265 Melbourne, Australia Gender:	Re: What do you use sling for? Reply #8 - Apr 25^th, 2012 at 7:58am Nice to know you're with me but WTH is WTSHTF? (TLA's ar OK but 6LA's are OMH)
Back to top	Cranks are little things that make revolutions.&& IP Logged

perpetualstudent Interfector Viris Spurii Offline Slinging Rocks! Posts: 1405 Gender:	Re: What do you use sling for? Reply #9 - Apr 25^th, 2012 at 8:11am WTSHTF = when the solid waste falls on the device circulating air
Back to top	"Facts stand wholly outside our gates; they are what they are, and no more;they know nothing about themselves and they pass no judgement upon themselves. What is it, then, that pronounces the judgement? Our own guide and ruler, Reason." IP Logged

Dan

Interfector Viris Spurii
SlingingGuide Moderator

Offline

Slinging Rocks!

Posts: 3974
Gender: male

Re: What do you use sling for?
Reply #10 - Apr 25^th, 2012 at 9:11am

I like the idea of carrying the deadliest primitive projectile weapon with me at all times.

I can sling pretty well and I am fairly certain I could hit a bird if I needed too. As far as a survival situation goes, I have gone 3 days without eating and it really wasnt that uncomfortable (after the first few hours). So throw in some wild edibles and a few doves and maybe a squirrel or rabbit and as long as I was just on my own, I'd be okay.

It's also quite entertaining to picture myself using the sling in different situations. Zombie apocoplypse, The Hunger Games, Wilderness self reliance, American Revolution, and Ancient Israelite war are just a few that come to mind.

That, and slinging is incredibly addicting. And the thought of being more accurate than a bow is quite attractive as well.

Back to top

I was pretty good at slinging like 10 years ago.

IP Logged

Atlatlista

Ex Member

Re: What do you use sling for?
Reply #11 - Apr 25^th, 2012 at 9:14am

Aussie wrote on Apr 25^th, 2012 at 12:49am:

Quote:

I practice the sling so that I can become proficient in its use, both as a form of experimental archaeology, and as a practical wilderness survival tool.

I'm really intrigued by this notion of the sling being a, "practical survival tool". Much as I enjoy slinging I just can't see its being very practical at all. In fact I suggest that any person who relies on his/her sling for survival, should ensure the sling is strong enough to support their body weight, as the most practical use of a survival sling is to hang yourself to avoid the pain of actually starving to death.

BTW To answer the original question, I sling because it's all absorbing FUN.

Right now, I don't see my sling as being a survival tool, because my skill isn't there to back it up. However, I believe that it is possible to become skilled enough with a sling to hit small game sized targets more often than not at distances applicable to hunting. If I didn't feel that way, I probably wouldn't bother with it.

Back to top

IP Logged

Atlatlista

Ex Member

Re: What do you use sling for?
Reply #12 - Apr 25^th, 2012 at 9:14am

Dan wrote on Apr 25^th, 2012 at 9:11am:

I like the idea of carrying the deadliest primitive projectile weapon with me at all times.

You always have a bow with you? Grin

Seriously though, I did a mental comparison of these the other day. I don't think the sling is quite as lethal as a bow (bows have killed elephants and I really doubt a sling could do that). Also, it's not nearly as easy to aim. So, I'd put the bow's lethality on a higher plane.

Back to top

IP Logged

Dan

Interfector Viris Spurii
SlingingGuide Moderator

Offline

Slinging Rocks!

Posts: 3974
Gender: male

Re: What do you use sling for?
Reply #13 - Apr 25^th, 2012 at 9:19am

Quote:

Dan wrote on Apr 25^th, 2012 at 9:11am:

I like the idea of carrying the deadliest primitive projectile weapon with me at all times.

You always have a bow with you?

Don't you? Huh

Seriously though. I am pretty sure I could take an arrow to somewhere that doesn't matter in the torso or arm or leg and keep fighting. An Atlatl dart probably not, but I am kind of thin and I am pretty quick so I could probably just move out of the way. However an egg size rock going 100mph that shatters my sternum, or pelvis, spine, skull, leg bone, shoulder, you name it. I'd be hurting.

Back to top

I was pretty good at slinging like 10 years ago.

IP Logged

Liberty dog Funditor Offline mobile pocket artillery Posts: 596 south carolina, usa Gender:	Re: What do you use sling for? Reply #14 - Apr 25^th, 2012 at 10:17am as always for fun..........and you never know when it just might save your life zombies are everywhere!
Back to top	illumination through target annihilation&&&&moving continents one rock at a time&&&&my sling aches with inaction&&&&hit.....run....hide......the Highland way. IP Logged