My ADHD has my fully engaged in this. All other chores and responsibilities have been put on hold until I've completed this. My wife is going to be so mad at you.
I keep thinking of this comment while watching this video and I keep laughing. I am so dialed in to this guy's meticulous explanation of how to properly braid an ancient weapon. My life is paused.
If you are looking for sisal go to a plumbing store and ask them for a hank of hemp. A plumber uses hemp to waterproof joints on galvanised or black iron pipes. Most plumbing stores should have hemp available.
In the US most black iron pipe is used for gas. We are switching to plastics that can deal with thermal expansion. And we use Teflon tape. I feel like this might be hard to find in the US :(
You, sir, are an INVALUABLE asset to the sling community. I'm lost for words to qualify your presentation. WONDERFUL, AMAZING and SUPERB comes to mind. May all the luck in the World be with you!!
I have made 3 hand braided slings in my life. One long , one short and one for a pole sling. I am 58 years old and still have all 3. But I seriously doubt I will ever make another. You sir have my respect for your PATIENCE AND DEXTERITY !
Another item to add to my ever-expanding list of “Things I Never Knew I Needed And Now Have To Make”! The only comment I wish to make is that, instead of the constrictor-type overhand knot for retaining the tassel, a Matthew Walker knot be used, as each strand of the tassel is used to lock into the others (basically a series of interleaved overhand knots). Thank you for a complete and thorough explanation of this process!
Thanks to this video, I was finally able to make my own sling. I made mine out of synthetic twine. It was the worst material to work with especially when tapering. Though the worst part was joining both legs of the basket. It took nearly an hour to get it positioned just right so I could continue weaving. But the sling works. It works beautifully. You, sir, are an amazing teacher. Can hardly wait for Part 3.
Wow. I've been making thinks out of string, cord, and fibers since I was a small child, but I never had anyone to show me anything. Over my decades of doing this, I have made maybe 12 slings. It's always been out of my own curiosity, though. On the third or fourth sling,I came up with a design which is basically this, apparently. I never thought to include a different type of fiber for the tassel at the end of the sling. That makes a lot of sense. My daughter sent me this video today after we were having a discussion about some of the things I've made and she was saying that it is a lot like how "practical archeologists" figure things out. (Sorry if I misspoke there. I've never heard this term before.) I've never seen how slings were actually built, have never used an actual sling, and am just a guy with no university schooling. I'm just curious about how things work. It brings me tremendous joy to see that I "created" something which has been known since ancient times. Which is to say that I am so happy this video exists. It makes me so happy to know that the techniques I've developed organically over decades of messing with things are the same that have been used for millennia.
You are a good example of a basic human brain, @ericdavis2145. Your interest in teaching yourself things, experimentation over time, and arrival at a design you say is similar to the one in this video--it shows how a naturally intelligent person from any era of history can come up with remarkable pieces of technology, with very little starting input. That's one reason I'm glad that experimental archaeology has come to be a respected field--there's been a prejudice against "primitive man" for so long, as if our ancestors were backwoods hicks and we're ever so much better than we were. Nope; bring a Cro Magnon forward in time, train them in computer programming, and they'll probably invent Facebook in no time. I've had the same experience you've had in other inventions, putting together a device and then coming across the "real' version of it, and finding that I'd hit upon the same design. It's a nifty feeling.
Over the years I've always had such curiosity of ancient/medieval weapons, and have been crafting and carving swords and piked weaponry since childhood. Ranged weapons have always been a struggle however. This video has definitely opened a whole new world for me, and I hope you know that your teachings will never be forgotten. Thank you
Like 1000 times more difficult than a bow string. Awesome stuff, thanks so much for talking the time and sacrifice to learn this, in this age of cut plastic overburden.
4:38 I would like to emphasize what you said, in case someone makes the same mistake as me. Twisting BOTH sides OUTWARDS is key. If one strand is rotated inwards it will make the whole cord twist. This can result in inacurate shots and will make loading the sling more difficult (because you have to figure out the correct orientation) So if you want a nice and straight sling you have to twist the braids outwards, it cannot alternate or switch, even if thats easier on your fingers. Absolute Gem of a video, keep it up!
Amazing stuff! I want to thank you for making me appreciate the balearic sling and the sling in general. I am waiting on the video in which you discuss how to sling properly. Thanks!
You caught that first shot of the rock flying by the cam perfectly. It was a perfect shot. Just that first scene in your vid, it was Artistically perfect in that unexplainable way.
The way you splice in the dyneema is very well thought-out. The wax is another great idea. It ends up with a nicer braid that looks better and is probably more durable than the way I have been doing it.
For the waxing of the pouch and whole sling, you can apply it to the outside, then throw it on a cookie sheet and put it in the oven at 80-90C or so. I've found it melts in quite nicely and evenly that way.
Велика подяка вам за відео.Вже тривалий час захоплююсь темою балеарської пращі,але досі не знаходив такого докладного керивництва по її виготовленню.Ще раз дякую вам за гарну роботу!
This is a great tutorial, I really enjoyed It! I'm spanish and altough I have been practising with the sling for a few years now and I have made a couple of them myself, this video made me want to make more slings hahaha. My grandfather has worked with esparto for decades and I made a couple of slings following this tutorial with the esparto he collects. I'm very excited for the next video!
Just now dawned on me that my round braided paracord ones have been dumb because for every single one I've forgotten to take into account that the entire braid/pouch should be turned 90 degrees from the fingerloop. Has worked anyway, DUE to them being round and having 2x knots towards the top allowing for some twisting, but moving forward will get that right. Will make another flat braid after the one I'm working on now and retry. Gotten about 100x better at braiding for the short while I've been doing this and videos like this one have been instrumental in me learning so thank you.
Thank you for this tutorial, i finally built my first sling. I used hemp for this one and it took me around 6 hours and it wasn't as perfect as yours obviously but i am still surprised with the outcome. Next time i will try with sparto since it is very common where i live (Iberia), and i will also try to make a pouch to use smaller ammunition.
Gracias señor por este excelente, detallado y elaborado vídeo para la elaboración de la honda balear. Gracias por mantener viva este arma que tiene miles de años. Un saludo cordial desde España.
A few years ago I grew some Kenaf, a fiber plant similar to hemp🤔pondering. Your work is beautiful. Thank you for the inspiration and thoroughness in showing how to braid the sling.
Beautiful sling. Many thanks for showing how to make the original. I usually cut a few corners being lazy and impatient and make mine from paracord. A bowline loop for the split pocket and small one for retention cord, and a knot on the release cord. Good for tennis balls for the dog. For stones I use duct tape to cover the split pocket. I’d like to see an expert trained on the traditional Balearic design try a paracord sling and compare accuracy.
Used this demo to make my own out of reinforced paracord, which almost has the same rigidity. Used all of the braiding techniques and eventually made a super slick sling that just absolutely rockets any projectile that I want. Super cool stuff yo
I am incredibly impressed with this tutorial. I've been tempted to make a braided sling on a few occasions and never stuck the process out. I'd be curious to know how long it takes you to make a sling like this. Maybe I'll give it a go with some paracord and see if it makes any sense or if the taper just doesn't work. Maybe I can core it part way through and use that for some taper. Thank you very much for the detailed and enlightening video =).
What an amazing tutorial video! Your explanation on each part was so thorough and very appreciated. Just to watch your awesome craftwork was mesmerizing. Simple video placement, great lighting, closeup on cameras, soothing voice and temperament, and also loved to hear the relaxing birds sing in the background. Well done! Thank you so much for your time, talent and enemy. It’s easy to see how much your enjoy craft. I’m not sure if you sell these, but it would be an honor to own one of yours.
I really want to make one of these. I make Flemish twist bowstrings which have some similarity with the weaving. I also have been doing paracord slings for years but have never been happy with the way they grip. Brownells B50 bow string material should make a good cracker. It works OK for whips. Thanks for the step by step!
Hi, first of all, congratulations for the video, it is very complete and clear to understand. I have a crucial question: are the fibers you use raw or processed fibers? I ask you because I would like to make a sling by collecting wild esparto grass (it grows near my town) but I have read that people who work with esparto dry it for a while, and also process it by "majado" which literally means "crushed." (the esparto is beaten to give it flexibility) somewhere I also read that they cook or steam the esparto for the same flexibility purpose. It's a shame that my grandparents are no longer here, and I don't know any old people who know about esparto crafts, like they used to be
I've been braiding different types of whips for a little while now and realized pretty quickly that soaking my whips in hot liquid paraffin wax does an amazing job at protecting them. It also adds just a little bit of weight. I'm almost positive your slings would benefit from dunking the entire sling in wax and letting it impregnate the fibers then wipe off the excess. This would surely help with the fiber types that are sensitive to moisture as well by waterproofing them. You already wax a portion of them so going ahead and doing the whole sling would probably be great. I haven't tried making a sling yet so I don't know for sure. When making whips with Paracord we usually pull out the guts of the cord and it basically gets wasted. I think I'm going to try using those guts to braid up a sling. They should work perfectly for all the splicing and tapering required in making these slings. I'll probably try it out with some hemp as well since it's readily available. Thanks for making this video! I needed another good project idea.
I usually fully wax hemp and linen slings. Slowly add the wax until it soaks through to the other side of the braid. When held over heat, it shouldn't look "wet", as that means there is too much wax. Too much wax makes the sling overly stiff. Water will still works it's way into the braid (so not good in the rain), but changes in humidity doesn't effect it.
ive braided many a sling with the internals of paracord because i also hollowed it out to thin out the paracord i was using to make other slings lol, i always use a leather cup however and if going for this full balearic split braid it might be a little slick
This entire process of creating and using the sling is a beautiful art. I think I might be in love. Haha I'm going to see what material I can source to make my own. Thank you for the valuable information!!
This is a very nice sling, you are very talented. I am thoroughly enjoying this. Thank you. I find that the best tool to cut dyneema is a ceramic blade.
Very awesome tutorial. When you make a Balearic sling using hemp or linen, would you have to unweave the twine for braiding so that you work with loose fibers?
I wonder what would happen if the sling itself was made of such fishing cord 24:42? It is very strong and as I know it is practically unstretchable (which is a very important quality for a sling). And also this material is well protected from moisture and the sling will not need to be waxed. I am planning to do exactly that, but I am interested in your opinion. Thanks.
Hi, this is an awesome video and I can't wait to give it a try once I get home from studying abroad. I think that it could be a good idea to thicken the retention cord before starting the pouch at the knee rather than after so that the joint is thick on both sides rather than thin going into the pouch at the knee and thick coming out of it at the belly to increase strength and symmetry.
I met a few Balearic slingers make their slings this, but it seems just personal preference. It isn't an area that will experience any wear, so most don't make the retention cord side like the belly.
I'm mid way and I never would've guessed weaving using single strands would end up being faster than yarn but since they're shorter it eliminates the need to pull the excess through to the other side! I'm gonna have to test this with a bowstring, hopefully it won't damage the bow >
Good video! Though can you answer a couple of questions? What do you exactly mean linen is sensitive to humidity? Does it rot or something? Also what is the purpose if tapering release cord , does it aid in accuracy? Do you also have a problem with balearic slings that a projectile is sliding through hole in pouch?
When you use fibers from yarn (linen or hemp), do you splice in new strings, or do you use the whole length from the beginning? If so, how long do the single strings have to be for the whole sling? I imangine the braiding to be a little chaotic with the whole length from the beginning.
With yarns, I only splice in new ones at the pouch. For a short sling, 19" I will do two wingspans, for a 28" three wingspans. The yarns added for the pouch do not have to be very long.
This is going to sound like I went off the deep end. Just today on a drive, I was thinking to myself that I have loads of information I will never use in everyday conversation or applications. I was thinking of examples and I thought about how much I know about Balearic Slings. Mind you, it was a thought that came and went through my mind in an instant, no more no less. I have not looked up slings on the internet since the early days in the 90s. I haven't talked to anyone about it and haven't really given it much thought in years except for today. I get on UA-cam and this video is in my recommended. WTF!!!
Truely amazing tutorial! really struggling to work out the "knee" , when I;ve tried i dont seem to get that X or be able to keep tension in the braid, if you have any pointers I'd be most grateful!
I'm not sure If I can word it any better than the video, but basically the only strand that crosses across to the left hand braid, is one of the halves of the top strand of the right hand braid. By bringing one half across, each side then has 2 unsplit strands and 1 half strand. (which allows you to do two 5 strand braids of half-thickness strands) My advice for keeping tension is, do one side first, then the other, then unbraid the first to pull out any slack ,re-braid it, then unbraid the other side to pull out more slack, etc. When doing it first time it can be a bit of a balancing act. It's mostly just practice.
@@CaptainBrash Yes definately. Amongst my 1,001 unfinished projects I have hanging around is skeins of processed nettle fibres to be plaited into a ling just so.
Hi! Thanks a lot for these great videos. I have three questions, if you have a moment. I sourced two slings from Spain. My assumption is that they are esparto. That said: 1) the fibres seem very coarse/dry to the extent that, with a lighter stone, it can sort of 'spring' up whilst loading and it won't sag under the weight. Will this stiffness lessen over time or should I soak it/treat it in some way? Equally, after only a few shots, I quickly got a blister on my finger. 2) There are a lot of loose strands poking out along the whole length. Should I snip them off? 3) There doesn't seem to be any additional fibre within the tail. Is it worth adding, for performance, or make do on these 'starter' models?
Soaking might help. When wet, drape the sling over a line or rod as it's drying with the pouch facing down. As the pouch dries in this position, it will set the fibre memory so that the pouch doesn't wont want to spring open as much when loaded. With time the release fingers will develop calluses, but if you have blisters you can wrap them with sports tape and keep slinging. Yes the loose strands can be carefully snipped off with a pair of scissors or nail clippers. I'd personally always add a durable material for the tassel, but that's because I sling hard and it wears out quickly otherwise. If you are a beginner, it shouldn't be such a concern.
Thank you for your videos, they are incredibly interesting, informative and well made, and I cannot wait to see what the future of this channel holds in store. If you don't mind, I have two questions: 1. I've seen you mention in other comments, that when using full length yarn you splice in additional yarn when making the pouch. Why is this? Dividing the yarn strands you already have should automatically lead to pouch braids half the thickness of the retention cord; do you want the pouch braids to be closer to 3/4ths of the thickness of the retention cord? 2. I've seen other people using 3 or 7 braids as compared to your 5, is there any significant difference? Are more braids inherently better, is it purely preference, are 5 strands simply the most traditional way?
Thanks! I might at some point have to do a part 2, since "tuning" the design is a big topic on it's own. The pouch area should not only be made thicker for longevity, but also weight distribution, and how it effects the release. Each side as thick as the retention cord is good. I actually mostly use seven strands, but five makes a good sling and is better for a video. The more strands used, the smoother the braid, the more durable it is, and the more torsional control you have for a given material.
I salute you, Archaic Arms! I really want to build a sling like this from hemp, but i fear that uv will destroy it quickly during summer, when i m slingin in the sun, what do u think, is hemp resistant enough to withstand uv rays and keep it s integrity for a good period of time?
Something that might be interesting, given your past videos and involvement in your local scene, is seeing what it would sound like for a whole group of slingers to let fly at the same time like your past video with the Roman clay stones. I bet it would sound quite intimidating!
holy god, that's a lot of work... And clearly this takes a lot of practice even though you make it look easy. I can imagine I'd fck it up multiple times before getting it even half right. An amazing instructional video. It should get somesort of educational award.
I hope you continue to make videos, especially ones that explain how to sling. Would you ever consider selling them? I looked on Etsy, but after watching your videos, I keep seeing issues with the slings other people offer. As of now, I don't have the time to sit down and make a proper Balearic sling, but I did make a sling out of paracord to practice with. Thank you for making these great videos!
Thanks! I'm not entirely sure I will ever get around to selling them in large numbers, as they are time consuming and it's hard on the hands, but we shall see!
I believe that in ancient times they would have probably used sinew for the cracker. Either that or horsehair, or perhaps even a loop for an easily replaceable cracker.
Before I sling you a bunch of questions id just like to say I love your work and that you have inspired me to jump into this wonderful world of slinging and I look very much forward to giving it a good crack. When sourcing esparto i noticed it has two main perennial grasses that it comes from, is one superior to the other? Also the esparto i did manage to find, after many hours of research seemed to differ in colour from the bundle you used in your video, my guess is that its raw and hasn't been dryed or processed in some way and apears green or other similar shades im hoping this is an easy fix by drying it. Finally do you think its worth growing esparto/halfah grass, what climate would suit it and if so should it be the variant Stipa tenacissima
Thanks, I'm glad you're giving a go! Esparto must be processed from its raw state, a process similar to flax. Here is a good video detailing that. ua-cam.com/video/9yUOokXYx1E/v-deo.html I've never tried to grow esparto myself, but it grows in a fairly hot and more arid climate. There are different variants yes, but I get the impression that they should work similarly.
Just perfect!! Will be constructing one soon too. But hey - superglue isnt the best for sure as it stiffens and eventually breaks the fibers, use contact glue!
Amazing great wonderful.. sorry to ask but I’m one of those who loves traditional but who appreciates quality’s in new tech from time to time and I was wondering if you had tried making one from paracord ? And if so did it work was it any good or not ? Because I am seriously considering making one out of paracord but I haven’t ever made one at all yet so I thought I’d ask the experts 🙏 many thanks take care
Really want to make one of these now but would like to ask how much of the material would you need? Ebay sells it in 20gram bundles but I have no idea if this is either enough to make half a sling or to make 10 slings. Thank you.
If I would use a thread that is the full length of the sling instead of adding material along the way, how long would the threads need to be in total? I wanna make it a bit easy for my first one and then go to try to make a more genuin one. Thinking about in the end making one out of stinging nettle fibers, but thats for later! Very nice video!
It depends on the length, but for a 28" sling I do 3 wingspans for each thread. Material still needs to be spliced in at the pouch section to add thickness, even if you don't need to splice when braiding the cords.
@@Archaic-Arms thanks! That makes sense, so for a start I'll just have to add in a few strands for that section, but it saves me some hassle for my first sling at least 😁 I'm very happy with your videos, they really made me get into the balearic sling craze!
Hmm. Would a knotted tassle affect the release in a bad way? My thought is if you use less durable material to leave a long tassle that you knot the excess in, then just release some of that stored tassle once the end is worn.
How much cord sticks out from the hand effects the release. If it sticks out a lot, the release will be delayed. So it's length changes over time, you'll have to adapt to the change. In my opinion, either a permanent or replaceable cracker are the best options if you sling a lot.
I'd think it could be too prone to stiffening, but if you thinned it well with oil, it would probably work well enough. The other problem might be the tendency of pitch to be "sticky" when it's been oiled--it could pick up enough dirt that the fibers would be abraded from within. If you make your own pitch, you're the one who's going to have the answer to this--what do you think? From your own pitch's performance on other products, would it have the right properties when it comes to flexibility?
My ADHD has my fully engaged in this. All other chores and responsibilities have been put on hold until I've completed this. My wife is going to be so mad at you.
I keep thinking of this comment while watching this video and I keep laughing. I am so dialed in to this guy's meticulous explanation of how to properly braid an ancient weapon. My life is paused.
Offering solidarity as a representative of the autistic unit.
dude same! 🤣 I also have ADHD and have put everything else on hold until I have made and mastered this.
😂ADHD rules! 😅
Bro same
If you are looking for sisal go to a plumbing store and ask them for a hank of hemp. A plumber uses hemp to waterproof joints on galvanised or black iron pipes. Most plumbing stores should have hemp available.
In the US most black iron pipe is used for gas. We are switching to plastics that can deal with thermal expansion. And we use Teflon tape. I feel like this might be hard to find in the US :(
I feel like jute might be a fine replacement, and any hardware store has jute baling twine.
@@UA-camGaveMyHandleAway i got some hemp from the 99 cent store
Didn't know that. Thank you.
@@sofa_king_koolnot mine apparently lol. Cotton twin yes, but I've only found jute for Christmas 😂. Nightmare
You, sir, are an INVALUABLE asset to the sling community.
I'm lost for words to qualify your presentation. WONDERFUL, AMAZING and SUPERB comes to mind.
May all the luck in the World be with you!!
I have made 3 hand braided slings in my life. One long , one short and one for a pole sling. I am 58 years old and still have all 3. But I seriously doubt I will ever make another. You sir have my respect for your PATIENCE AND DEXTERITY !
Thanks for sharing! Cheers!
Sir, what fibers did you use on your slings?
If you ever sold slings made like this, I would totally buy it
Another item to add to my ever-expanding list of “Things I Never Knew I Needed And Now Have To Make”! The only comment I wish to make is that, instead of the constrictor-type overhand knot for retaining the tassel, a Matthew Walker knot be used, as each strand of the tassel is used to lock into the others (basically a series of interleaved overhand knots).
Thank you for a complete and thorough explanation of this process!
That series of interwoven knots is also the basis for nalbinding, so now you can have fun with something else.
Thanks for the info.
This is the best video I've seen yet, on how to make a Balearic sling. Thank you so much.
You're so welcome ❤
Agreed 💯. By far the best video on this advanced braiding technique, too.
This is the best instructional video on the balearic sling making on UA-cam. Thank you so much for making this valuable content.
This is what youtube is for. Amazing work. Thank you for the education!
Thanks to this video, I was finally able to make my own sling. I made mine out of synthetic twine. It was the worst material to work with especially when tapering. Though the worst part was joining both legs of the basket. It took nearly an hour to get it positioned just right so I could continue weaving. But the sling works. It works beautifully. You, sir, are an amazing teacher. Can hardly wait for Part 3.
Wow. I've been making thinks out of string, cord, and fibers since I was a small child, but I never had anyone to show me anything. Over my decades of doing this, I have made maybe 12 slings. It's always been out of my own curiosity, though.
On the third or fourth sling,I came up with a design which is basically this, apparently. I never thought to include a different type of fiber for the tassel at the end of the sling. That makes a lot of sense.
My daughter sent me this video today after we were having a discussion about some of the things I've made and she was saying that it is a lot like how "practical archeologists" figure things out. (Sorry if I misspoke there. I've never heard this term before.)
I've never seen how slings were actually built, have never used an actual sling, and am just a guy with no university schooling. I'm just curious about how things work.
It brings me tremendous joy to see that I "created" something which has been known since ancient times. Which is to say that I am so happy this video exists.
It makes me so happy to know that the techniques I've developed organically over decades of messing with things are the same that have been used for millennia.
You are a good example of a basic human brain, @ericdavis2145. Your interest in teaching yourself things, experimentation over time, and arrival at a design you say is similar to the one in this video--it shows how a naturally intelligent person from any era of history can come up with remarkable pieces of technology, with very little starting input. That's one reason I'm glad that experimental archaeology has come to be a respected field--there's been a prejudice against "primitive man" for so long, as if our ancestors were backwoods hicks and we're ever so much better than we were. Nope; bring a Cro Magnon forward in time, train them in computer programming, and they'll probably invent Facebook in no time.
I've had the same experience you've had in other inventions, putting together a device and then coming across the "real' version of it, and finding that I'd hit upon the same design. It's a nifty feeling.
Experimental archaeologist I think is what you mean. I am doing a masters in this. Possibly going to look at slings for my dissertation.
And people still insist that aliens had to teach us everything, as if people aren't clearly very capable of figuring things out themselves
@@Hubbletheory It was the ancient gods that taught us, not aliens. :)
This is guy is very thorough , very detailed & he leaves nothing out .He's a very good teacher .I learnt so much from this video .👌
The man, the myth, the legend! It's finally here! I think it's time to make another sling.
Over the years I've always had such curiosity of ancient/medieval weapons, and have been crafting and carving swords and piked weaponry since childhood. Ranged weapons have always been a struggle however. This video has definitely opened a whole new world for me, and I hope you know that your teachings will never be forgotten. Thank you
I have made about 20 slings using various materials, and you just gave me several ideas for how to improve. Excellent video. Thank you.
I've never seen a 5 strand done like that. Very neat. Thanks for sharing!
Like 1000 times more difficult than a bow string. Awesome stuff, thanks so much for talking the time and sacrifice to learn this, in this age of cut plastic overburden.
I always assumed the slings where made from leather! This video has certainly educated me. Thank you very much.
4:38 I would like to emphasize what you said, in case someone makes the same mistake as me.
Twisting BOTH sides OUTWARDS is key. If one strand is rotated inwards it will make the whole cord twist. This can result in inacurate shots and will make loading the sling more difficult (because you have to figure out the correct orientation)
So if you want a nice and straight sling you have to twist the braids outwards, it cannot alternate or switch, even if thats easier on your fingers.
Absolute Gem of a video, keep it up!
Amazing stuff! I want to thank you for making me appreciate the balearic sling and the sling in general. I am waiting on the video in which you discuss how to sling properly. Thanks!
You caught that first shot of the rock flying by the cam perfectly. It was a perfect shot. Just that first scene in your vid, it was Artistically perfect in that unexplainable way.
Thanks!
The way you splice in the dyneema is very well thought-out. The wax is another great idea. It ends up with a nicer braid that looks better and is probably more durable than the way I have been doing it.
For the waxing of the pouch and whole sling, you can apply it to the outside, then throw it on a cookie sheet and put it in the oven at 80-90C or so. I've found it melts in quite nicely and evenly that way.
Велика подяка вам за відео.Вже тривалий час захоплююсь темою балеарської пращі,але досі не знаходив такого докладного керивництва по її виготовленню.Ще раз дякую вам за гарну роботу!
This is a great tutorial, I really enjoyed It! I'm spanish and altough I have been practising with the sling for a few years now and I have made a couple of them myself, this video made me want to make more slings hahaha. My grandfather has worked with esparto for decades and I made a couple of slings following this tutorial with the esparto he collects. I'm very excited for the next video!
Just now dawned on me that my round braided paracord ones have been dumb because for every single one I've forgotten to take into account that the entire braid/pouch should be turned 90 degrees from the fingerloop. Has worked anyway, DUE to them being round and having 2x knots towards the top allowing for some twisting, but moving forward will get that right. Will make another flat braid after the one I'm working on now and retry. Gotten about 100x better at braiding for the short while I've been doing this and videos like this one have been instrumental in me learning so thank you.
Thank you for this tutorial, i finally built my first sling. I used hemp for this one and it took me around 6 hours and it wasn't as perfect as yours obviously but i am still surprised with the outcome.
Next time i will try with sparto since it is very common where i live (Iberia), and i will also try to make a pouch to use smaller ammunition.
Gracias señor por este excelente, detallado y elaborado vídeo para la elaboración de la honda balear. Gracias por mantener viva este arma que tiene miles de años.
Un saludo cordial desde España.
A few years ago I grew some Kenaf, a fiber plant similar to hemp🤔pondering. Your work is beautiful. Thank you for the inspiration and thoroughness in showing how to braid the sling.
This is going to help so many people making these slings. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
Beautiful sling. Many thanks for showing how to make the original. I usually cut a few corners being lazy and impatient and make mine from paracord. A bowline loop for the split pocket and small one for retention cord, and a knot on the release cord. Good for tennis balls for the dog. For stones I use duct tape to cover the split pocket. I’d like to see an expert trained on the traditional Balearic design try a paracord sling and compare accuracy.
your attention to detail and craftsmanship is commendable. Would love to have one of your slings.
Used this demo to make my own out of reinforced paracord, which almost has the same rigidity. Used all of the braiding techniques and eventually made a super slick sling that just absolutely rockets any projectile that I want. Super cool stuff yo
just found out this even exists from your last video, this is so cool
This is on my (very long) list of cool projects to try one day! Thank you.
Amazing video, I never imagine I’d be able to braid my own sling. You have inspired me, thanks.
A beautiful job. I am from the island of Menorca, and exactly like this, they are braided and manufactured. Thank you for your work dear friend.
very nice and detailed, my respect. Since I have seen your slings with my own eyes, I know that they can compete with the best from the islands. 👍
It's a skill and an art. Wonderful!
Wow. Finally it is here. The process is more complex than how I make slings. Guess I know now how my next step in sling making looks like.
That was amazing. I am in Spain and I have access to esparto, so I know what materials I will use!
Thanks for this. I actually know how to braid, but this is all new and useful. Next is materials- this is exciting.
I am incredibly impressed with this tutorial. I've been tempted to make a braided sling on a few occasions and never stuck the process out. I'd be curious to know how long it takes you to make a sling like this. Maybe I'll give it a go with some paracord and see if it makes any sense or if the taper just doesn't work. Maybe I can core it part way through and use that for some taper. Thank you very much for the detailed and enlightening video =).
What an amazing tutorial video! Your explanation on each part was so thorough and very appreciated. Just to watch your awesome craftwork was mesmerizing. Simple video placement, great lighting, closeup on cameras, soothing voice and temperament, and also loved to hear the relaxing birds sing in the background. Well done! Thank you so much for your time, talent and enemy. It’s easy to see how much your enjoy craft.
I’m not sure if you sell these, but it would be an honor to own one of yours.
I’ve never been interested in this, but I think I’m going to try to make one just for kicks.
Thank you brother 👍🏼
From Montreal with love 💪🏼🪖👊🏼🚛📣📯🇦🇶
I really want to make one of these. I make Flemish twist bowstrings which have some similarity with the weaving. I also have been doing paracord slings for years but have never been happy with the way they grip. Brownells B50 bow string material should make a good cracker. It works OK for whips. Thanks for the step by step!
I’m a string maker myself and thought the same thing, similar to a bowstring 👍
Hi, first of all, congratulations for the video, it is very complete and clear to understand.
I have a crucial question: are the fibers you use raw or processed fibers? I ask you because I would like to make a sling by collecting wild esparto grass (it grows near my town) but I have read that people who work with esparto dry it for a while, and also process it by "majado" which literally means "crushed." (the esparto is beaten to give it flexibility) somewhere I also read that they cook or steam the esparto for the same flexibility purpose.
It's a shame that my grandparents are no longer here, and I don't know any old people who know about esparto crafts, like they used to be
I say my good sir, you've earned yourself a sub within the first few minutes, great stuff!
Thank you!
Im a crocheter and have access to stiff cotton yarn, will be attempting a crochet version of this. Wish me luck!!
I've been braiding different types of whips for a little while now and realized pretty quickly that soaking my whips in hot liquid paraffin wax does an amazing job at protecting them. It also adds just a little bit of weight. I'm almost positive your slings would benefit from dunking the entire sling in wax and letting it impregnate the fibers then wipe off the excess. This would surely help with the fiber types that are sensitive to moisture as well by waterproofing them.
You already wax a portion of them so going ahead and doing the whole sling would probably be great. I haven't tried making a sling yet so I don't know for sure.
When making whips with Paracord we usually pull out the guts of the cord and it basically gets wasted. I think I'm going to try using those guts to braid up a sling. They should work perfectly for all the splicing and tapering required in making these slings. I'll probably try it out with some hemp as well since it's readily available.
Thanks for making this video! I needed another good project idea.
I usually fully wax hemp and linen slings. Slowly add the wax until it soaks through to the other side of the braid. When held over heat, it shouldn't look "wet", as that means there is too much wax. Too much wax makes the sling overly stiff.
Water will still works it's way into the braid (so not good in the rain), but changes in humidity doesn't effect it.
ive braided many a sling with the internals of paracord because i also hollowed it out to thin out the paracord i was using to make other slings lol, i always use a leather cup however and if going for this full balearic split braid it might be a little slick
You should have more subscribers. Your content is fantastic.
Thanks!
This entire process of creating and using the sling is a beautiful art. I think I might be in love. Haha I'm going to see what material I can source to make my own. Thank you for the valuable information!!
Great video, I'm on my third esparto sling now, still having trouble with the tassel, hopefully third time is the charm!
This is a very nice sling, you are very talented. I am thoroughly enjoying this. Thank you.
I find that the best tool to cut dyneema is a ceramic blade.
Very awesome tutorial. When you make a Balearic sling using hemp or linen, would you have to unweave the twine for braiding so that you work with loose fibers?
In that context, I'd just keep the yarns as is. I only extract fibre if the individual fibres themselves are fairly thick, like sisal.
Absolutely brilliant. Excellent job on this video AA! 👍
Excellent video. Been looking forward to this for a while. Where do you source your Esparto from?
Looking for a new supplier, as the esparto I got a while back isn't available anymore. If I find some I'm considering importing for sale .
@@Archaic-Armsany luck with the esparto
I really enjoyed your video and look forward to the next on your technique and how to use it. Thank you so much!
Long live the Bassetja Balear. The most versatile, simple and potent range weapon of the past.
I wonder what would happen if the sling itself was made of such fishing cord 24:42? It is very strong and as I know it is practically unstretchable (which is a very important quality for a sling). And also this material is well protected from moisture and the sling will not need to be waxed. I am planning to do exactly that, but I am interested in your opinion. Thanks.
Hi, this is an awesome video and I can't wait to give it a try once I get home from studying abroad. I think that it could be a good idea to thicken the retention cord before starting the pouch at the knee rather than after so that the joint is thick on both sides rather than thin going into the pouch at the knee and thick coming out of it at the belly to increase strength and symmetry.
I met a few Balearic slingers make their slings this, but it seems just personal preference. It isn't an area that will experience any wear, so most don't make the retention cord side like the belly.
@@Archaic-Arms Good to know, thanks for the reply!
All those beautiful stones to sling.
I'm mid way and I never would've guessed weaving using single strands would end up being faster than yarn but since they're shorter it eliminates the need to pull the excess through to the other side! I'm gonna have to test this with a bowstring, hopefully it won't damage the bow >
A brilliantly clear and informative video. I am off to try and braid one myself. Thank you very much. 👍🏻
This was epic, very informative and enjoyable to watch.
Thanks for your time and skills it’s exciting to see this… I’m inspired to have a go at making one!
Great tutorial. Just made one out of jute string since it's cheap and easy to get. Looks a bit rough comparatively, but it works.
Banger vid bro, I learnt so much from your 5 plait and 2 way splices.
Cheers! 👊♥️
Good video! Though can you answer a couple of questions? What do you exactly mean linen is sensitive to humidity? Does it rot or something? Also what is the purpose if tapering release cord , does it aid in accuracy? Do you also have a problem with balearic slings that a projectile is sliding through hole in pouch?
Beautiful craft. Thank you for detailed instruction how to make it!
When you use fibers from yarn (linen or hemp), do you splice in new strings, or do you use the whole length from the beginning? If so, how long do the single strings have to be for the whole sling?
I imangine the braiding to be a little chaotic with the whole length from the beginning.
With yarns, I only splice in new ones at the pouch. For a short sling, 19" I will do two wingspans, for a 28" three wingspans. The yarns added for the pouch do not have to be very long.
I cant tell if the nail clipper is gigantic or if youve got tiny hands, but it is putting me in hysterics!🤣
This is going to sound like I went off the deep end. Just today on a drive, I was thinking to myself that I have loads of information I will never use in everyday conversation or applications. I was thinking of examples and I thought about how much I know about Balearic Slings. Mind you, it was a thought that came and went through my mind in an instant, no more no less. I have not looked up slings on the internet since the early days in the 90s. I haven't talked to anyone about it and haven't really given it much thought in years except for today. I get on UA-cam and this video is in my recommended. WTF!!!
Truely amazing tutorial! really struggling to work out the "knee" , when I;ve tried i dont seem to get that X or be able to keep tension in the braid, if you have any pointers I'd be most grateful!
I'm not sure If I can word it any better than the video, but basically the only strand that crosses across to the left hand braid, is one of the halves of the top strand of the right hand braid. By bringing one half across, each side then has 2 unsplit strands and 1 half strand. (which allows you to do two 5 strand braids of half-thickness strands)
My advice for keeping tension is, do one side first, then the other, then unbraid the first to pull out any slack ,re-braid it, then unbraid the other side to pull out more slack, etc. When doing it first time it can be a bit of a balancing act. It's mostly just practice.
@@Archaic-Arms thank you so much! I'm pretty sure I've cracked it now!
Amazing content, I wish you all the best and will help spread the word!
YES Was very excited for this video! Definitely worth the wait and the sling is perfect
Wherever brambles grow, you can braid a sling. Peel the outer layer from long canes, de-thorning them first, then dry & braid those outer layers.
I gotta try this!
Yes I will definitely try this! I wonder if it could be done with nettle fibers too
@@CaptainBrash Yes definately. Amongst my 1,001 unfinished projects I have hanging around is skeins of processed nettle fibres to be plaited into a ling just so.
Hi! Thanks a lot for these great videos. I have three questions, if you have a moment. I sourced two slings from Spain. My assumption is that they are esparto. That said: 1) the fibres seem very coarse/dry to the extent that, with a lighter stone, it can sort of 'spring' up whilst loading and it won't sag under the weight. Will this stiffness lessen over time or should I soak it/treat it in some way? Equally, after only a few shots, I quickly got a blister on my finger. 2) There are a lot of loose strands poking out along the whole length. Should I snip them off? 3) There doesn't seem to be any additional fibre within the tail. Is it worth adding, for performance, or make do on these 'starter' models?
Soaking might help. When wet, drape the sling over a line or rod as it's drying with the pouch facing down. As the pouch dries in this position, it will set the fibre memory so that the pouch doesn't wont want to spring open as much when loaded. With time the release fingers will develop calluses, but if you have blisters you can wrap them with sports tape and keep slinging.
Yes the loose strands can be carefully snipped off with a pair of scissors or nail clippers.
I'd personally always add a durable material for the tassel, but that's because I sling hard and it wears out quickly otherwise. If you are a beginner, it shouldn't be such a concern.
@@Archaic-Arms thanks a lot 🙏🏼
Thank you for your videos, they are incredibly interesting, informative and well made, and I cannot wait to see what the future of this channel holds in store.
If you don't mind, I have two questions:
1. I've seen you mention in other comments, that when using full length yarn you splice in additional yarn when making the pouch. Why is this? Dividing the yarn strands you already have should automatically lead to pouch braids half the thickness of the retention cord; do you want the pouch braids to be closer to 3/4ths of the thickness of the retention cord?
2. I've seen other people using 3 or 7 braids as compared to your 5, is there any significant difference? Are more braids inherently better, is it purely preference, are 5 strands simply the most traditional way?
Thanks! I might at some point have to do a part 2, since "tuning" the design is a big topic on it's own. The pouch area should not only be made thicker for longevity, but also weight distribution, and how it effects the release. Each side as thick as the retention cord is good.
I actually mostly use seven strands, but five makes a good sling and is better for a video. The more strands used, the smoother the braid, the more durable it is, and the more torsional control you have for a given material.
Such a good tutorial! 🤩 Thank you so much
This is the best sling video. I made a sling and threw an egg into orbit
I salute you, Archaic Arms! I really want to build a sling like this from hemp, but i fear that uv will destroy it quickly during summer, when i m slingin in the sun, what do u think, is hemp resistant enough to withstand uv rays and keep it s integrity for a good period of time?
Something that might be interesting, given your past videos and involvement in your local scene, is seeing what it would sound like for a whole group of slingers to let fly at the same time like your past video with the Roman clay stones.
I bet it would sound quite intimidating!
holy god, that's a lot of work... And clearly this takes a lot of practice even though you make it look easy. I can imagine I'd fck it up multiple times before getting it even half right. An amazing instructional video. It should get somesort of educational award.
I hope you continue to make videos, especially ones that explain how to sling. Would you ever consider selling them? I looked on Etsy, but after watching your videos, I keep seeing issues with the slings other people offer. As of now, I don't have the time to sit down and make a proper Balearic sling, but I did make a sling out of paracord to practice with. Thank you for making these great videos!
Thanks! I'm not entirely sure I will ever get around to selling them in large numbers, as they are time consuming and it's hard on the hands, but we shall see!
@@Archaic-ArmsHappy to pay you for one my hourly rate that I am being paid. That is €60 . Much peace and love
Great tutorial! Would it be feasible to make entire sling with only Dyneema?
Yes I've done that, but it's expensive and unnecessary. It also a very slick material.
That’s a really cool skill and fun tool to have.
Really nice video! Esparto is clearly next level, but why dynema?
What could be the historical better alternativ for the cracker?
Best wishes.
I believe that in ancient times they would have probably used sinew for the cracker.
Either that or horsehair, or perhaps even a loop for an easily replaceable cracker.
Before I sling you a bunch of questions id just like to say I love your work and that you have inspired me to jump into this wonderful world of slinging and I look very much forward to giving it a good crack. When sourcing esparto i noticed it has two main perennial grasses that it comes from, is one superior to the other? Also the esparto i did manage to find, after many hours of research seemed to differ in colour from the bundle you used in your video, my guess is that its raw and hasn't been dryed or processed in some way and apears green or other similar shades im hoping this is an easy fix by drying it. Finally do you think its worth growing esparto/halfah grass, what climate would suit it and if so should it be the variant Stipa tenacissima
Thanks, I'm glad you're giving a go! Esparto must be processed from its raw state, a process similar to flax. Here is a good video detailing that. ua-cam.com/video/9yUOokXYx1E/v-deo.html
I've never tried to grow esparto myself, but it grows in a fairly hot and more arid climate. There are different variants yes, but I get the impression that they should work similarly.
@@Archaic-Arms thanks for the reply
Just perfect!! Will be constructing one soon too. But hey - superglue isnt the best for sure as it stiffens and eventually breaks the fibers, use contact glue!
Indeed! I only use it sparingly over the exposed ends. Saturating the braid with the glue would be a big no no!
@@Archaic-Arms ok! Seems to work, and it is the best sling ive seen -really inspired me!
Amazing great wonderful.. sorry to ask but I’m one of those who loves traditional but who appreciates quality’s in new tech from time to time and I was wondering if you had tried making one from paracord ? And if so did it work was it any good or not ?
Because I am seriously considering making one out of paracord but I haven’t ever made one at all yet so I thought I’d ask the experts
🙏 many thanks take care
Really want to make one of these now but would like to ask how much of the material would you need? Ebay sells it in 20gram bundles but I have no idea if this is either enough to make half a sling or to make 10 slings. Thank you.
I'd say 100g per sling including excess is a safe bet. Unless made excessively thick, it should be enough material.
I might have to try my hand at making one. Having said that, I’d love to buy one directly from you if you decide to sell any. Great vid!👍
If I would use a thread that is the full length of the sling instead of adding material along the way, how long would the threads need to be in total? I wanna make it a bit easy for my first one and then go to try to make a more genuin one.
Thinking about in the end making one out of stinging nettle fibers, but thats for later!
Very nice video!
It depends on the length, but for a 28" sling I do 3 wingspans for each thread. Material still needs to be spliced in at the pouch section to add thickness, even if you don't need to splice when braiding the cords.
@@Archaic-Arms thanks! That makes sense, so for a start I'll just have to add in a few strands for that section, but it saves me some hassle for my first sling at least 😁
I'm very happy with your videos, they really made me get into the balearic sling craze!
Thank you very much for this great tutorial!
Hmm. Would a knotted tassle affect the release in a bad way? My thought is if you use less durable material to leave a long tassle that you knot the excess in, then just release some of that stored tassle once the end is worn.
How much cord sticks out from the hand effects the release. If it sticks out a lot, the release will be delayed. So it's length changes over time, you'll have to adapt to the change. In my opinion, either a permanent or replaceable cracker are the best options if you sling a lot.
Most excellent video bro, thanks!
Very cool! Just made my first few bow strings - maybe this is next? 🤔
El mejor video de la vida/ the beste video of the life!!!
I wonder if pitch would be useful in waterproofing the fibers.
I'd think it could be too prone to stiffening, but if you thinned it well with oil, it would probably work well enough. The other problem might be the tendency of pitch to be "sticky" when it's been oiled--it could pick up enough dirt that the fibers would be abraded from within. If you make your own pitch, you're the one who's going to have the answer to this--what do you think? From your own pitch's performance on other products, would it have the right properties when it comes to flexibility?