It's that time of year!  The forum seems a little quiet these days, so we'll see what kind of response this gets.

Just a quick rundown in case any new members want to join.  The SITH (sling in the hat) is a sling exchange.  Anyone is free to join.  We'll collect names for a month or so, and then do a drawing to see who is sending to who.  You will send a sling to a member of the forum, and receive a sling from another member.  It's that easy!

Who's in for the SITH this year?!  Drop a comment saying you want in and your name will be added to the list.

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SITH Drawing: https://youtu.be/vhYMBwu2BlY

SITH Exchange Order:

Kordwar
hubert
NooneOfConsequence
Mersa
Blindsquirrel
TheMightyAslan
Kris_Holla
JudoP
Rat Man
Neil_Anir
IronGoober
CrazyBrave333
joe_meadmaker

I'm in

I'm in

Me too.

I'm in.

Yeah I’ll be in

havent sent or received last years yet - so I'll sith this one out :-)

ps. swapped out stickied threads :-)

Let’s do this!

Curious Aardvark wrote on Nov 15^th, 2022 at 10:49am:

ps. swapped out stickied threads

Awesome!  Thanks!

Sign me up!

When are we closing entry and choosing partners

I think we usually leave it open for about a month.  But there's not a lot of activity around here right now.  I'm fine if with closing things early if anyone wants to.  Maybe one more week?  Close things off on 27 Nov?

Curious Aardvark wrote on Nov 15^th, 2022 at 10:49am:

havent sent or received last years yet - so I'll sith this one out :-) ps. swapped out stickied threads :-)

I’m so so sorry man!!! I’ll send asap!!! I’m useless- please join in in and don’t sit it out on my account…

I’m in- and planning to not procrastinate this year!!!

I’d like to propose an idea.

In sight of recent events with the loss of the most important person of slinging.org.
Could we somehow make this years SITH an all in to CA.
Im thinking perhaps a collection of slings from our members as a memorial.
Perhaps given to the family or close friend, or even another forum member to have? (Thinking Morningstar as a uk and og)

No pressure if im taking this in the wrong direction just voicing my thoughts.
I’ve spent the day at work feeling slightly off about the whole situation, I wasn’t expecting it and also wasn’t expecting feeling so strongly.

I think that is a fitting parting gift. At least to let his family know that he made quite the impact on this small community.  It only works if we can get someone to deliver the batch all together though.

IronGoober wrote on Nov 24^th, 2022 at 10:53am:

It only works if we can get someone to deliver the batch all together though.

I agree with this.


The other thing I'm worried about is timing.  How quickly would we need to organize something like this, and how quickly could we actually carry it out?  If we go with the 'tribute to CA' route, I think motivations will be different, but getting SITH slings sent out in a timely manner always seemed to be the exception rather than the rule.  I don't mean we shouldn't do it.  Just putting the thought out there.

Another thing I think about is what would CA's reaction be?  Part of me thinks he would tell us to send the slings to each other and use them.

I like your idea though Mersa.  If we can get it organized, I'm in.

Maybe some sort of 21 gun salute with your SITH slings would be fitting. Though again the logistics are difficult given how late the slings typically arrive, and people would also need to find a place to catapult rocks a good distance. I do tend to think CA would probably want us to continue the trade, but even so we should find something to do to commemerate his passing and his impact on the sport. It would also be nice to send something to his family to show them how much he meant.

Great idea!!!

I made his sling I owed him from last SITH (the day he died weirdly).

It’s here and ready to go…

Im in.

Whether it be for someone for now or for someone in the afterlife. Peace.

RIP: Curious Aardvark.

Sign me up!

I imagine everyone is open to the idea of sending this year's slings to CA's family.  But a decision will need to be made if that's what we're going to do.  A few things I think we'll need to decide on if we go that route:
[list bull-blackball]

Someone to take point on the task to coordinate everything.

Someone will need to be the middle man to receive everything.  I think this will best be done by someone in the UK (easiest to send things on from there).

And someone to figure out how to contact his family and find out where to send things (this could also be done by either of the previous two people).

I'm completely open to hear thoughts either way.  Personally I think CA would want us to send the slings to each other and use them.

I would absolutely be game to try to figure out some version of a 21 gun salute as JudoP mentioned.  We could do that with SITH slings, or do it right away with slings we already have.  The best option with that might be for everyone to record their throw (and maybe a short message to CA and/or his family), and send all the videos to someone to cut together and post on YT.  I'm open to other thoughts.  Kind of like Mersa mentioned, I think we should do something, just not sure what.

How about naming this year's as 'The Curious Aardvark memorial SITH'?
I would like to participate please.

Beautiful idea.  The post name has been updated.

Your name has been added to the list. :thumb:

Let's give this another week or so.  Let me know if there are any objections to a cutoff date of December 17th.  If not, that will be our last day for entries.

Wonderful idea.  What better tribute from slinging.org!

Last call everyone.  If anyone else wants to join, let us know.  We'll cut things off tomorrow.

Also let us all know if anyone wants to do the video of the drawing.  If no one else does, I have no problem doing it again.

What does everyone think instead of a round-robin sort of trade, just draw names for pairs, and then exchange with the same person you get one from?

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IronGoober wrote on Dec 17^th, 2022 at 7:24pm:

What does everyone think instead of a round-robin sort of trade, just draw names for pairs, and then exchange with the same person you get one from?

I don't have any objection to this.  Although with the addition of Blind Squirrel, we're at an odd number.  Which is fine.  Just means we'll have one group of three if we don't get any more last minute participants.

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I think we can figure it out fine for you to join Blindsquirrel.

I personally prefer the one to the next method rather than pairing, either way works though.

Blindsquirrel wrote on Dec 18^th, 2022 at 1:49am:

No worries, mr. Joe just drop me out to make it easier for the exchange, I’ll catch it the next time.

Sorry buddy.  That wasn't what I meant at all.

You make a really nice sling.  Request to be dropped from the SITH is denied.  ;)

Here’s an alternative solution: I will volunteer to exchange with two people to maintain balance if necessary.

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No need to pai it was just a thought. The round robin works just fine.

Thanks for offering a second sling guys.  I don't think that would have been needed though.  An exchange group of three would have worked fine.

But IG said it's no problem, so we'll just go with the round robin method.  Then we don't need to worry about it.

So we'll call this one closed!  No volunteers to do the drawing, so I'm happy to take care of it.  I'll get things set up and do it tomorrow evening.

Make the draw

The drawing is done guys.  The video is linked in the first post of this topic, but I'll drop it here as well.  The order has also been updated in the first post.  Everyone is sending to the next person in the list.  If there's any confusion or questions, just let us know.

Also post a message if you're sending to someone who has already received a sling from you and you would prefer to send to someone else.  We can always move positions around if needed.

Drawing link: https://youtu.be/vhYMBwu2BlY

This also seems fitting to reuse, here were CA's tips for shipping last year:


so a couple of tips for sending international parcels.

1) never declare the actual value on the customs form. Most countries will charge import tax on anything much above £10 and they will charge you a 'fee' for the privilege of so doing.  So keep your values UNDER 10 euros/dollars/pounds.
1a) always tick the box for 'gift. There is a higher 'notax' limit on gifts than on commercial packages.

2) describe contents as: childs toy or shephrd sling.
Don't get creative - the last thing you want to do is to get the customs people interested enough to open the parcel. And while I know of no country where slings are illegal, it doesn't hurt to just make sure Smiley

3) if you want to pay extra for international tracking - it's usually not that much more (£2 extra in the uk).  DO NOT PAY FOR internationally signed for !
That is a lot more expensive and completely pointless.

Good tips Joe! I always follow C_A's sage advice and write "Dog toy" or "dog ball thrower". He said he never had any issues with it and so far, neither have I.

I also think more people will know what a dog ball throwers is than a shepherds sling (as sad as that is), so that is the other reason I do it.

Alright!!!
I’m receiving from Nooc and sending to Squirrel

Let’s get the party started

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Hey gang just logged in, watched the drawings and sorted my pms for SITH. Merry SITHmas to all!

Rodger Wilko

@NooneOfConsequence

look in your PM, the sling wants to go to you!

Ok… just logged in after several weeks of distractions.  I’ll watch the video tonight and get my act together soon 😁

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Good looking sling!

So I finally got around to sending Joe Meadmaker his SITH today… I hope you like it man- it’s Kevlar. I hope to see it in one of your videos one day! 

PS… it can be used for flaming projectiles… or maybe I should have sent one to Timpa…

Awesome!  Can't wait!  :D

Got the package from CrazyBrave333 today.  Kevlar slings!

The one with the solid pouch was originally intended to go to CA, but he thoughtfully sent it to me instead.  So maybe we'll think of something special to do with that one.

Thanks man! :thumb:

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Glad you like it man!!!

I received this lovely sling with some bonus 3D printed glandes from Kris_Holla last week. Some great craftsmanship on this I have to say, the transitions are excellent.

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Looks amazing!!! How are those joins done!?

I’ve fallen behind but I haven’t forgotten you squirrel, I’ll make it worth the wait

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Received my package from Joe Meadmaker yesterday, a beautiful sling and some very tasty mead!

https://i.imgur.com/xxjo7n7.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/9BuKNrf.jpg

CrazyBrave333 wrote on Feb 4^th, 2023 at 4:31pm:

Looks amazing!!! How are those joins done!?

I'm not 100% sure to be honest, Kris_holla is best to explain. I know it's dacron line and I'd guess it's a mix of sewing and whipping and then possibly melting the result(?) Looks super clean though

Short video of a few shots this week using my new sling from Hubert:
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CowFJX2jLJg/?igshid=MDM4ZDc5MmU=

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I am very happy that you like the sling !! & a good choice of music by the way

Hi everyone,
My sling for the Curious Aardvark Memorial SITH has just been dispatched to Iron Goober. It has jute cords with leather pouch & finger loop. The length as made, mid pouch to finger loop, is 865mm (34 inches), but the leather finger loop makes this adjustable downwards. You just reposition the knots.
The pouch is 195 x 50 mm (7 ¾ x 2 inches) & is based on one of the ‘York slings’ (object number 15770) published in The Archaeology of York Vol.17: The Small Finds Fasc.16: Craft, Industry and Everyday Life: Leather and Leatherworking in Anglo-Scandinavian and Medieval York. Visit here for a copy https://archaeologydataservice.ac.uk/archiveDS/archiveDownload?t=arch-1026-1/dissemination/pdf/AY17-16-Leather_and_leatherworking.pdf slings are on page 3408 (p239 of the pdf).
The original 15770 sling pouch is much smaller 135 x 30mm (5 5/16 x 1 3/16 inches) but I enlarged it to accommodate a wider range of ammunition (up to the size of a tennis ball). I have made 'full size' smaller versions of some York slings but I need to do some more slinging before I publish here.
Both the original & my larger version have extended ends on the leather pouch. My interpretation is to use these ‘extensions’ to protect the cords against abrasion from ammunition as it leaves the pouch.
I am eager to find out how Iron Goober feels about its performance.
Neil_Anir

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I'm excited to give it a try!

Received my sling from Neil! will make a short video of it's use when it clears up and stops raining.

   I got this beautiful Balearic sling from JudoP.  This is one of the best looking slings in my collection.  It's almost too pretty to use.  Thanks much.

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