As promised here some thoughts about the Balearic Sling

I to thanks Fundibularius which he has translated then long report.




Some thoughts on the Balearic Sling

As I had promised a while ago, I would like to share a few of my thoughts and observations concerning the the Balearic sling.

Even though, at first sight, the Balearic belongs to the simpler sling types, there is much more technological knowledge hidden in it than meets the eye.

To put things in the right order, I numbered the different parts of the sling consecutively. This way, the functions can be explained more easily, and misunderstandings hopefully avoided.

1. The loop 

is the part where the sling is held with one finger. Its size may vary depending on individual preference and the manner of the grip. Basically, a Balearic sling can be held with any finger except the thumb. It is even possible to hold it with two fingers.

2. The retention cord

The retention cord of a Balearic sling is made with a flat plait. It should neither be too flimsy nor too stiff. If it is too flimsy, the sling may gain a lot of speed, but it loses its side stability and its ease of handling. Both are crucial for an accurate shot since the retention cord supports one of the most important effects of the sling, which is the lever action. Lateral stability is important, as it prevents a strong twisting of the sling during the windup. One might generally say that it is easier to shoot with shorter cords than with longer ones.

3. The „knee“
This expression designates the section where the retention cord splits up into two strands which then form the pouch. The knee is rather narrow and works in fact like a human knee joint. It gives the direction of the shot and transfers the leverage of the retention cord ideally towards the pouch.

4. The pouch
Our object here being a Balearic sling, the pouch constitutes of two equal strands. The form is not too common, it serves several functions though. 
Ideally, with this shape of a pouch biconical projectiles are slung. This special ammunition is being held securrely between the two strands. The inclination on its surface pushes both strands slightly outwards without, however, risking the projectile to drop out.
During the shot, the kinetic energy pulls both sides of the pouch together. Thereby, the ammunition is being pushed slightly out of the pouch which causes a reduced friction between the pouch and the projectile. The power imposed is optimally transferred into the projectile.
The shape of the pouch is also suitable for spherical projectiles. These, however, might more easily slip out. Shortening both strands of the pouch can clearly diminish the problem or even avoid it.
Since both strands of the pouch transfer energy to the projectile, the abrasion effecting on the sling is reduced. Furthermore, the weight of the ammunition can be heavier (up to 300 grs.)
In contrast to the Balearic model, some „closed“ or „solid“ pouches tend to get cupped drastically. If this effect becomes too strong (e.g. because of a heavier weight of the projectile), what might happen is that the ammunition is not released cleanly any more from the pouch. The result is that shots from a sling like that have a strong tendency to go to the left of the target. More power is needed to rlease the shot. In the worst case, the projectile does not even leave the pouch and the sling strikes back.
Archaeological findings in York and Schleswig as well as in Haithabu (Hedeby) indicate that this problem was known already back in the Middle Ages. People at the time reacted by cutting one or more slits into the pouch.
Experiments with slitted pouches like the ones from Schleswig and Haithabu seem to prove that a strong cupping is prevented. The ammunition is released more easily.

If a slinger tends to put too much power into his arm during the shot, his hits might also go too far to the left. This might be balanced by making the right side of the pouch a little bit longer than the left. Under the condition, of course, that the slinger uses a consistent individual technique.

The „belly“
is the section where both strands of the pouch are reunified.
As both strands have the same thickness as the release cord, the gracity center of th e pouch is situated here. Its place is not in the middle of the extended sling (as it is the case with most other sling variatons), which has some effect on its shooting behaviour.
At the moment of release, the belly of the sling (the gravity center) is straight behind the projectile. It is the spot where the projectile is sent loose from the sling and reaches maximum speed.
The spot of the bely can be applied individually to the slinging person. Depending on the technique it is well possible that, due to a badly situated gravity spot, the projectile is not being released cleanly and still having contact with the release cord for possibly up to the halfth of its length. It may be a cause for misses, since the projectile is almost certainly misdirected by the intense contact with the release cord.

6. The release cord
The release cord is the second cord of the sling. It tapers towards the end and changes over to the tassel (or toggle, respectively). The cord is released at the moment of the shot; it thus makes it possible for the projectile to leave the pouch.
There are several techniques of holding the end of the release cord with the entire hand, or only with the thumb and index finger, depending on the preference and technique of the individual slinger.

7. The tassel (or toggle)
It is the spot where the highest amount of strain is being exerted. Yet the fraying also has a particular function because it slows down the movement of the release cord and helps to achieve an ideal opening of the sling. Nonetheless, the speed of this part of the sling is so high that it may create a cracking sound (similar to that of a whip). The cracking is an indication of a consistent amount of power used by the slinger. On the other hand, the supersonic speed and the energy imposed on the end of the release cord may, after a number of shots, cause an abrasion (shortening) of the tassel which means that it will have to be repaired.

When a sling with more than 1 m length of each cord is used, the „braking“ effect of the tassel (or toggle) may often become an obstacle. It tends to open the sling too early and thus reduces accuracy, while at the same time it raises the energy (physical power) needed to shoot.
It is in a case like this better to use a heavy knot which pulls the release cord forward and opens the sling.
When using a sling for hunting, a model which produces a supersonic cracking might not be your first preference. To avoid the sound, it is not a bad idea to increase the size of the tassel or even attach to the end of the release cord a toggle made of a piece of leather which measures about the double of the width of your thumb.

Yes, great info, Jaegoor.  Thanks for posting.

Thank you, gentlemen, for your explanations.  When I first started slinging and had problems, Jeagoor was able to find a solution to the problems that I was having, he is a good instructor and very willing to help others.

the knee originates if one with an odd number of ropes works.

they are divided in the knee.

Ich weiß genau, was Du meinst. 

Es ist nicht umsonst. Wer Ohren hat, der hört.

There is such an incredible amount of important details in what seems to be a few plaits at first sight. And I am sure you will still discover even more hidden characteristics of the Balearic which make the way it throws projectiles so unique.

Jaegoor wrote on Dec 12^th, 2012 at 4:27am:


Falls es meine Agenda erlaubt bin ich dabei! Eigentlich wollte ich dieses Jahr auch an die Meisterschaft kommen, war aber leider verhindert.

Eine Frage habe ich aber noch: Wie bringst du den Schwerpunkt des Briefes hinter den Bauch beziehungsweise was meinst du mit dem Schwerpunkt des Briefes? Nimmt bei deiner Schleuder der Durchmesser der beiden Stränge des Briefes zu oder bleibt er in der ganzen Tasche gleich? Anders ausgedrückt: Gibst du nach dem Knie noch Material zu? Wenn Ja, wann? Direkt nach dem Knie oder auf der ganzen Länge des Briefes?

Bei meinen Schleudern liegt der (Masse-) Schwerpunkt der ganzen Schleuder meistens ziemlich in der Mitte des Briefes. Jedoch mache ich den Schusslauf jeweils ca. 4-5 cm länger als den Haltelauf und somit liegt das Projektil nie ganz in der Mitte sondern leicht näher am Bauch als am Knie. Weiter sind die Schleudern meistens nicht getapert, da ich nur meistens nur mit 5-7 Schnüren arbeite. Als Beispiel einer solchen Schleuder siehe: http://slinging.org/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1172017416/2978 (achter Beitrag von oben)

Translation:
How do you get the center of gravity of the pouch behind the belly or what do you mean with the center of gravity of the pouch? Does the diameter of the two strings of the pouch increase or does it stay the same during the whole length of the pouch? Otherwise expressed: Do you add material after the knee? If yes, when? Right after the knee or on the whole length of the pouch?

In my slings the (mass) center of gravity is usually quite in the middle of the pouch. However, I usually make the release cord about 4-5 cm longer than the retention cord. Therefore the projectile is never exactly in the middle of the pouch but slightly nearer to the belly than to the knee. Further my slings are usually not tapered as I work with only 5-7 strings. For an example see: http://slinging.org/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1172017416/2978 (8th post from the top)

The Balearic slings are usually made of esparto, hemp or sisal fibers, if I'm not mistaken.

Jaegoor, any other materials you would recommend? Would they make a big difference in the handling?