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Message started by Kjev on Jan 21st, 2013 at 2:48pm

Title: Bird Bolos
Post by Kjev on Jan 21st, 2013 at 2:48pm
I finally finished my bird bolos (I can't even remember when I started them. They'be been floating around in the bottom of my braiding bag for a long time)



They are made from a small steel ring in the center. The lines are each made from 8 strands of mason line split into 2 groups of 4 (each line is a 4-strand braid).



The weights are made from wire rings "moused" with mason line connect the weights to the lines. The weights themselves are .68 caliber lead rifle balls, covered with monkey fist knots made from flat paracord.



I finished the lines just above the weights by wrapping them with flat waxed nylon thread I use instead of artificial sinew. Then I toasted them with a lighter to melt the wax together.

I haven't thrown them yet. First, all the birds gone south. There's too much snow. Second, it's usually been around 0 here. Too darn cold. I can honestly say after tying 6 successful monkey fist knots and I have no idea how many failures, I can thoroughly detest having to tie it. Maybe it's easier if there is no weight inside, or if you are making a larger knot, but it was kind of a royal pain in the...place where politicians keep their heads.

Title: Re: Bird Bolos
Post by Caldou on Jan 21st, 2013 at 3:38pm
Really nice one !

Monkey fists are easier if you make it bigger and don't mind the gaps ;) If they have nothing inside, they can't really keep the shape, but if you want to do more, you may try using some overhand knots instead of the balls : there is still something inside so the knots will keep their shape but you can squish it while working your strands :)

Did you used some before ?

Title: Re: Bird Bolos
Post by Teg on Jan 21st, 2013 at 4:23pm
Looks nice!

If you don't like the monkey fist you could try "turks head" balls. I have tied several small ones as toys out of scrap thread and I personally consider them way easier to make. However I have no idea how they behave with a weight inside...

Title: Re: Bird Bolos
Post by walter on Jan 21st, 2013 at 4:58pm
Kjev, those bolos are nice. Maybe too nice to throw and take the chance of losing them :'(

Title: Re: Bird Bolos
Post by Mauro Fiorentini on Jan 21st, 2013 at 6:01pm
Topic added to the Index.
Nice bolas!
Greetings,
Mauro.

Title: Re: Bird Bolos
Post by Atlatlista on Jan 21st, 2013 at 9:43pm
Very nice!  I had a friend show me some he made just the other day.  Easier to aim than a sling, I must say.

Title: Re: Bird Bolos
Post by ghost0311-8541 on Jan 21st, 2013 at 11:13pm
I like the way it looks with practice yiu should be able to take game with it i hace taken turkeys with mine it took me a lot of throwing to take one and mine are a bout 8 feet end to end can get hung up easy in brush

Title: Re: Bird Bolos
Post by Atlatlista on Jan 21st, 2013 at 11:15pm
You took a wild turkey with a bolo?  You, sir, have some mad skills.

Title: Re: Bird Bolos
Post by ghost0311-8541 on Jan 22nd, 2013 at 12:43am
It took me many trys to do so and had every thing work out same with the first deer i took with a atlatl more luck than skill but when you do it it make you want to do it more so try harder
And the skills will come with the bolo most people give up because the dont know how to throw them they hold the center and throw but you need to hold a weight and the center and throw the weight makes the other open up

Title: Re: Bird Bolos
Post by Dan on Jan 22nd, 2013 at 9:53am
Looks good man, let us know how it throws.  :)

Title: Re: Bird Bolos
Post by Pikåru on Jan 24th, 2013 at 10:12pm
The work is beautiful. There are a lot of rabbits nearby. I've been itching to use my new hunting/throwing stick. Should probably throw in a bolo or two as well. Using lead weights is a good idea. Nice work.

Title: Re: Bird Bolos
Post by squirrelslinger on Jan 25th, 2013 at 11:12am
Agian, I need to find some lead..

Title: Re: Bird Bolos
Post by Pikåru on Jan 25th, 2013 at 12:55pm

squirrelslinger wrote on Jan 25th, 2013 at 11:12am:
Agian, I need to find some lead..


You're not looking hard enough...  ;)

Title: Re: Bird Bolos
Post by ghost0311-8541 on Jan 30th, 2013 at 10:20pm
lead for your bolo get 8 oz fishing weights at walmart

Title: Re: Bird Bolos
Post by Rat Man on Jan 31st, 2013 at 3:22pm
Once again, very impressive work, Kjev!

Title: Re: Bird Bolos
Post by Kjev on Feb 8th, 2013 at 12:29am

squirrelslinger wrote on Jan 25th, 2013 at 11:12am:
Agian, I need to find some lead..


For my larger bolos, I bought 2 6 oz and 1 8oz lead fishing weights on a trip to California. These I have used to catch a cow, although I prefer my rope.



I covered them with flat paracord. They started out 3 feet long or so, but were too long to work with. After a house fire, part of the lines was melted, so I took the opportunity to shorten them to about 2 feet or so.

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