Hi everybody.

I discovered slings as ancient military weapons while listening to a documentary about Gaugamela, even though I didn't gave much attention to that part...

My second introduction was through the videos of Lindybeige from lloydianfacts.

I then decided to build myself a sling... I had several problems though.

I wanted to make one for my Larps*  (Live-Action-Role-Playing game).
My biggest problem was to make ammunition wich wouldn't harm anyone while throwing it at them. I filled foam balls with sands. It worked out... well... as good as a totally harmless projectile would work... in top of that my sling was too short (I was fearing rope lenght reglementation) and the rope I used were, I think too hard.  I've still not surrendered the idea of making Larp slings. Longer rope next time, and maybe latex projectiles. and forming friends for a unit of devastating skirmishers ;p  

*(I know, Larps are games, no historical facts at all, weak swordsmanship and warfare knowledge, but I like them anyways, even though I'd love to see real ancient weapon schools in here)


Happy to contribute to the promotion of that beautiful and so simple weapon!

Welcome to Slinging.org.

The idea of finding a suitable ammo to use for LARPing has been brought up here before. I think it really depends on what combat system your group uses.

There is a group that boffers in the park down the street from my house. They don't get into the role playing aspect of it but they use the lightest touch method. So that any contact between the weapon and a part of a body counts as a hit. Slings more then likely wouldn't work in this system.

My cousin was one of the founders of Darkon whos system allows for much harder hits. Slings would work well in this system. Just look up what the rules are for arrows in your group. Your projectile needs to be larger then an eye socket and realativley soft. You may be able to use with tennis balls with a slit cut in them covered in duct tape.

I went and googled Darkon and the first hit was the movie. I had forgotten about it so I linked it here. I know what I'll be doing after work today. :)


http://www.hulu.com/watch/68489/darkon

thanks for your welcoming!

Well, for the rules of safety I know them quite good. I test any new weapon I fear to be harmful since I have several larps here that allows big shots but want very soft weapons.  I fear a tennis ball, even open, wouldn't be accepted, but I already have tested 2 types of projectiles. The first one's still the best, even though maybe I'm gonna put some extraweight with the sand, so it'll be heavy but have two steps of "rembourage" (Sorry, the english word skipped out of my mind)

P.S. sorry, the link you uploaded doesn't work outside USA


P.P.S. A friend of mine discovered that those "Stress balls" with happy faces on it are making great projectiles for Larps (He has a slingshot :P )  I tested it and it's turning out great.

Hello, maad erllin;
   Welcome to our site.  I look forward to chatting with you in the forums.

Rat Man