How to make a Balearic sling 

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.

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.

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 !

If you ever sold slings made like this, I would totally buy it

This is the best video I've seen yet, on how to make a Balearic sling. Thank you so much.

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.

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.

This is what youtube is for. Amazing work. Thank you for the education!

I have made about 20 slings using various materials, and you just gave me several ideas for how to improve. Excellent video. Thank you.

The man, the myth, the legend! It's finally here! I think it's time to make another sling.

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’ve been plaiting whips for years now. With your instruction, I have this in the bag. I can’t wait to start. Thank you so much!

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.

I've never seen a 5 strand done like that. Very neat. Thanks for sharing!

Amazing video, I never imagine I’d be able to braid my own sling. You have inspired me, thanks.

This is going to help so many people making these slings. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

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!

I always assumed the slings where made from leather! This video has certainly educated me. Thank you very much.

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.

A brilliantly clear and informative video. I am off to try and braid one myself. Thank you very much. 👍🏻

Beautiful craft. Thank you for detailed instruction how to make it!

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

Thank you very much for this video, it's comprehensive and made me want to make a sling myself! I'm making one out of hemp fibres which is proving very challenging in getting consistent thickness. But getting there!

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!

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. 👍

Thank you brother 👍🏼 From Montreal with love 💪🏼🪖👊🏼🚛📣📯🇦🇶

I really enjoyed your video and look forward to the next on your technique and how to use it. Thank you so much!

Such a good tutorial! 🤩 Thank you so much

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.

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.

Thank you very much for this great tutorial!

YES Was very excited for this video! Definitely worth the wait and the sling is perfect

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!!

Absolutely brilliant. Excellent job on this video AA! 👍

Thanks for your time and skills it’s exciting to see this… I’m inspired to have a go at making one!

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!

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.

I’ve never been interested in this, but I think I’m going to try to make one just for kicks.

just found out this even exists from your last video, this is so cool

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!

your attention to detail and craftsmanship is commendable. Would love to have one of your slings.

Banger vid bro, I learnt so much from your 5 plait and 2 way splices. Cheers! 👊♥️

This was epic, very informative and enjoyable to watch.

All those beautiful stones to sling.

REALLY cool... doing it now (with hemp fiber)

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 >

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.

Most excellent video bro, thanks!

That’s a really cool skill and fun tool to have.

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 =).

Most excellent. Thank you.

awsome and very informative video. Thank you

Great video. Thank you very much!!!!

Beautiful and brilliant!

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 say my good sir, you've earned yourself a sub within the first few minutes, great stuff!

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

Best how to on the tube. Thanks..

beautiful instrument!

Amazing content, I wish you all the best and will help spread the word!

Very nice work! Interesting too.

Real nice! Makes me want to make one

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.

Outstanding!!!

Thank you😊

Using jute twine just cause its what I have. Look forward to learning with it!

You should have more subscribers. Your content is fantastic.

Im a crocheter and have access to stiff cotton yarn, will be attempting a crochet version of this. Wish me luck!!

Great video, sir.

I cant tell if the nail clipper is gigantic or if youve got tiny hands, but it is putting me in hysterics!🤣

That was amazing. I am in Spain and I have access to esparto, so I know what materials I will use!

Très beau travail ! Bravo !

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.

@Archaic Arms A great video, I keep coming back to it, and this video got me into braiding my own slings. I was wondering what the approximate length and width of an esparto grass blade is? It looks about a cubit? If anyone knows?

Beautiful!

Wow. Very interesting.

BEAUTIFUL!!! 🤠 Howdy from TEXAS 👕 👖

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!

Muito bom. Obrigado

YEAH! I waited!

Brilliant video 🙌

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?

very clear instruction. u should create more other instruction videos.

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?

Me gustó mucho ❤, aquí en Mexico son diferentes en la parte donde va la piedra y son más largas 😁, una duda ¿el hilo de la cola es hilo de pesca? Saludos.

Thanks

Perfection. ❤❤

Excellent video. Been looking forward to this for a while. Where do you source your Esparto from?

So glad there was a part two and can’t wait for part three! This was a fantastic video and I’m off to try and source material to make my own Balearic sling! New subscriber 😊✌🏻

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.

Freaking amazing man!

Awesome Stuff!

Great vid. Where does one find esparto?

fanastic video!

Спасибо!!! Круто!!!!

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?

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!👍

Fantastic content! Looking forward to part 3!!