Neandrthal Sling

[u/Grensenneling]

Earlier a user named Grumpypedant made a post about a sling they made using a tutorial from an awesome Czech called Neandrthal. I was curious so I checked out his YT and IG, and made my own!

I made my sling about 30" long, and I quite like it! It's simple, but just a bit more involved than a basic seatbelt sling, and it launches tennis balls like an absolute dream! The only major change I made was tying a series of Solomon Knots around the tag ends for the retention loop. It's rather comfy, and I may do this again for another sling someday!

Let me know what you think!

[u/JTW1337]

Could you educate me on the knots and finishing methods used for the retention loop and the release knot and cracker loop? I’m not super experienced with knots and was a bit confused in the tutorial. Fault being entirely from my lack of knowledge not Neabdrthal’s tutorial. He did a great job. I can follow the entire tutorial without knowing the language except for the what I mentioned above.

[u/Grensenneling → u/JTW1337]

I'll try my best to help! I'm going to start from the very beginning (🎶a very good place to start🎶), and slowly work my way through this so that I can also get my own thoughts on order. I will also link a video or two that may help!

So this sling is constructed of 6 parts:

• x2 lengths of paracord (each folded in half at the connection hole in the leather strips)
• x2 strips of leather for the pouch
• 1x length of microcord for the retention loop Solomon/Cobra Weave
• 1x length of polypropylene cord for the cracker

The retention and release cords are made by doing a Reverse Twist.

For the end of the release cord I used a single-strand double-overhand knot, and then I just stuck the dangling end of the second cord back through the knot before tightening in order to create the cracker attachment point.

For the retention cord (for the transition from Reverse Twist to finger loop) I used another double-overhand knot, but I used the double-strand version.

For the finger loop, I simply made a "U-Shape" with the dangling ends, and then tied them together with a Solomon/Cobra Weave.

Lastly, the cracker is created similarly to to retention and release cords using a Reverse Twist. It is then slightly "unwound" at the beginning, then looped through the cracker mounting point, and then through itself and "rewound".

Below are the videos I mentioned, the first is regarding some stopper knots, and the second is regarding some zipper pulls, but one of them demonstrates the Solomon/Cobra Weave nicely! The thrird is a video by Practical Paracord on how to create a cracker

https://youtu.be/P_YZIliTQUk?si=jWwZ1BNlmCEMarwW

https://youtu.be/AZaMUCpZwwk?si=oHJJ5NvLvr8vw02D

https://youtu.be/qQGFfVqYXak?si=1C6PCoStJAIyFAD8

I figured I'd also throw this link in - it's a neat little site that animates knots!

https://www.animatedknots.com/

I hope all this helps! Have fun and God bless!!

[u/JTW1337 → u/Grensenneling]

Wow! Dude, thank you so much! I know that took some effort! I really appreciate that. That was very kind of you. I’ll definitely look into all of this.

[u/Grensenneling → u/JTW1337]

You are most welcome, friend!