So, to cut to the point, I am not a very profiecient weaver, but I can braid well.
My whole sling making career, it has been a challenge to get a wider pouch in my all-cordage slings.
I use Balearic slings often but now I discovered a 'new to me' braid that allows for much wider pouches. That is the "Belt Braid". Which is really half way between a weave and a braid.


Here's one tutorial but there are a bunch more online you can look at too. http://www.instructables.com/id/Braiding-eight-cords-into-a-flat-braid/

Its pretty simple, just take the outside left cord and weave over and under untill its on the far right side, then do it with the next one. How tight your braid is depends mostly on the polar outside 'weaves'

I figured it out by looking at one of my dress belts and then I tried making a sling with it and it works superbly. I only 2 in sisal now but I'll get some better looking ones and post those soon.
I've used, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 strands thus far and they all work well.

Usually for a simple split pouch you can get the braid about 30-60% wider depending on how many strands you use. This will generally allow for a better hold on the projecticle and I think it looks cooler too.

This trick will let you make split pouch braided slings that can easily be as wide as a Rockman or similar sling without the weaving diffilties or the amount of cordage you use weaving.

Try it out and let me know what you think.  

Yeah, I wouldn't use it for cords either, the same way you wouldn't weave the entire length of a sling the way you make a Rockman. You'd just use a 'normal' braid for the cords, split the cords into to parts and then use the belt braid.

I use rather heavy duty slings and IME the more friction there is with the projectile, the better the hold. I always thought that's why people made Rockmans as opposed to simple braided pouches for the more versatile and easier to load pouch. Its the same way with the belt braid.

Masiakasaurus wrote on Mar 26^th, 2013 at 1:47pm:


Its pretty simple so I figured some other slingers had used it before, its just new to me. 

Do you have any pics of slings made with it.

Dan, it is called finger weaving. It's how na made belts, straps etc.

Well finger weaving or flat plaiting it is then. It makes pretty great sling pouches.

Andyourbirdcansling's sling/belt looked pretty good and that's pretty much what I was picturing.

I have a couple with sisal but they aren't nearly as pretty. Once I get my hands on some jute I'll post some pics. If you are going for a non-reinforced all cordage split pouch, I think this is a great design. It looks good and holds ammo just as well as many more complex designs.

Nice sling, but why won't you buy jute?