Make your own ancient sling
Two cords and a scrap of leather: shepherds made slings like this for thousands of years. Make one in an afternoon, take it to an open field and learn to hit a target. Here's the video that hooks everyone, and everything you need for your first sling.
Space neededA big, empty field
First projectA sling in an afternoon
Skill levelEasy to make, a lifetime to aim
Good forGetting outside, teens and adults
The video that hooks everyone
The Deadliest Weapon of the Ancient World
The story of the humble sling, a pouch and two cords, and how it earned its reputation in the ancient world. Press play and see why it hooks people.
Is this your video? Claim your page and share in the sales
Tool list
What you need to start
Everything you need for your first project, and nothing you don't. It's mostly cord and a scrap of leather.
Starter kit
01Paracord or hemp cord, 20 ftTwo cords for the sling, plus spare for practice knots. Paracord is easiest to learn on.
02Leather scrap, about 5 x 3 in.Soft but sturdy, 2 to 4 oz. leather. This becomes the pouch.
03Leather hole punchOne clean hole at each end of the pouch.
04Sharp scissors or utility knifeCuts the pouch and the slit.
05Tape measureCord length decides how the sling feels. Measure, don't guess.
06LighterMelts paracord ends so they don't fray. Tape works for hemp.
07Tennis balls, a can of threeYour first ammo: soft, light and easy to find.
08A big targetA cardboard box or an old tarp hung on a fence.
09Safety glassesWear them every time you throw.
The manual tells you what to look for when you buy each one.
- 1Throwing where misses can't land safelyA miss can fly far past the target. Throw only in a big, empty field with nothing behind the target: no people, pets, cars, windows or roads.
- 2Swinging hard too soonAim comes from a smooth, slow swing and a clean release, not from power. Start with one easy underhand swing.
- 3Letting go of both cordsKeep the finger loop on and let go of the knot only. If both cords fly, the sling goes with the ball.
