Archaic Arms wrote on Jun 8
th, 2020 at 10:49pm:
Morphy wrote on Jun 8
th, 2020 at 5:24pm:
I imagine it would. Take all the excess near pouch/ pouch weight from something like a Balearic sling, remove it and instead add it to the stone. Same weight, more kinetic energy down range.
I think so as well, but there is a maximum speed one can swing a sling, and one could hypothetically throw a 100g at the same speed with both slings (just the heavier sling uses more energy). So far it seems to support this as the Luis Balearic sling weighs twice as much as my own Balearic, yet is just slightly behind when throwing 50g projectiles. Therefore, I could perhaps make my Balearic slings slightly thicker and not see a decrease in power for 150g stones, but get the benefit of increased stability.
Just an idea I had.
For 3 days I have slung with Luis balearic sling, inspired by this forum and his video's. I did about 350 shots. It starts to feel really good as one gets used to it. However, the cycle repeats. I get used to the Balearic sling and I get enthusiasstic about it's performance. Then after a few days I use my thinner natural hemp sling. And wow Am I blown away by how much faster the thin hemp throws and how much easier it is to use.
I really want to love his sling, it is a product of master handcraftship, I really want to believe, because he does so well with it and the Balearics have a legendary reputation, and maybe it just takes more practice than 350 shots to maximize its potential. And when you hold it, it really feels like you have a serious weapon.
But every time I swap to a thinner sling I am blown away by how much more efficient it feels.
So the extreme thickness could still be argued for durability reasons. But I am starting to think a natural fibre sling can be made very strong and quite thin (just a little more than 4 mm) if hemp, linen or nettle is used and the cords are waxxed. I was doubting my jute slings could handle the heavy rocks 250g and I still do but my thin waxxed hemp one is holding up extremely well to them.
I would love to see Luis use a thinner sling one day and hear his opinion about it.