How to make and use a traditional sling

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This chap talks about how he makes a very simple sling and he then shows a few throwing techniques. :)

[video=youtube;bEr85ZTqbcI]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEr85ZTqbcI[/video]
 
From the article:
When in throwing range of wild game or an enemy, it is unlikely they will stay still while a two-legged predator stands and twirls a weapon in circles. The prey will likely be long-gone or the enemy may shoot long before any projectile can be slung.

This is the bit I find most interesting. When we played with slings as kids, we always made great show of the twirling part. But of course that's no use when you're trying to catch an animal by surprise. Interesting how real-world use modifies technique. In this case, the need to get a shot off with minimal movement beforehand.
 
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Yeah, he refers to the book I'm reading at the moment, where the character (Ayla) seems to throw with very little unnecessary arm movement also.
 
I and a young uncle, from the leather and laces of an old set of work boots, made two of these when we were in our early teens. The power of the sling to throw a stone was truly unbelievable. I had read of them in the Bible, Judges 20:16 "Among all this people there were seven hundred chosen men lefthanded; every one could sling stones at an hair breadth, and not miss." We were both very poor shots, and we immediately attributed it to not being lefthanded.
 
Made one from paracord last summer and tried with rocks at a cove near me. Works great!
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I am a mod over at slinging.org and a long time slinger and sling maker. Ask me anything!


The wife plaited me a couple of slings over the winter. Now, assume I'm a idiot, what safety considerations are there? Things like what's the safe distance to do it from people, live stock, stacks of priceless Ming vases etc. I know I could google it but it would be useful to have here, if you could.

Thanks!

ATB

Tom
 

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