I really like those two weapons but I like the sling a lot Because I cannot stop watching David and goliath because it was great to watch as I’ve been practicing a lot to.
I carry a sling with me every day. It definitely can be used for larger animals. Greek, Roman, and past armies had battalions of "Slingers". It's been known to kill giants
I'm thinking that in cultures that used either weapon they started using them by playing with them as children. By the time they needed them for survival using them was second nature. So yes, we would need LOTS of practice to use them well.
"Wannnabe survival" he took a year to get to a hunting lvl skill in a sling and that just made him at the lvl of a child also she's using small rocks u habe to pick the ammo wisely or use lead /iron ammo and her slings design isn't very good
This is exactly true. FOr slings I know this at least. The bola seems to be much easier to use, but she's not using it properly. Kids would start out using slings not just for play, it was to ward off predators. In the ancient world, children were often shepherds. They would use slings to ward off wolves and jackals and the like. The great thing about a sling is, unlike say, a longbow, it takes almost no strength to wield. Just a keen eye and sharp reflexes, and lots of practice. They were also used to kill small animals like birds and rabbits, they could be used to hunt bigger game but they lacked the stopping power of a bow or crossbow.
@@all9472 there are quite some people doing TH-cam videos on balearic sling. Both their construction and techniques allow them for great accuracy and velocity. There are even competitions.
Using a bola can be tricky. I learned from experimenting that holding one of the weights and using it to swing the other 2 around seems to help the bola open up in flight.
Lilly. I grew up with the bola. I've found that it functions better if you hold only one of the bola branches and you'll discover that it opens up and rotates like a frisbee.
Hi, Im from Argentina. Primitive cultures used bolas (most comunly named boleadoras) here in my country. My grandfather knew how to make them, and how to use. They used to be three strings, I never saw one made of more of three. The rigt length of the stings was the lenght of your arm extended from the center of your chest plus the length of your forearm and your hand extended. The weight of each stone was about 200 gr, but I dont remember well. The way to shoot these was grabing one of the stones and swing it. Is used a special knot to transport the weapon and to shoot it rigth. I think I remember still how to make it. Usually it was used horseback riding
Yep! When I was in high school, I could kill a pigeon or rabbit with ease with the sling. I tried the sling last year, after about 20 years of not using one, and I couldn't hit a thing with it! It's definitely a use or lose it tool.
@@matthewsresilientways you probably gained sized and your arms lengthened + you got stronger so I imagine that if you were back in highschool you would've hit your shots but your body is different. just a guess though
My dad‘s friend was a leathersmith, and he made me and my two sisters each a sling when we were children. He worked the leather with oil before he gave it to us so it would form around the stone. In my opinion the sling that you made, the leather looks stiff and rigid. You did it on the fly,… Good work gal. My younger sisters and I became very proficient quickly. There was a farm outside of Winterset Iowa, and we used to practice with it by using a corn crib, which is very big, as a target about 25 yards away. We would aim at the small door as our ultimate target, but if we hit the big building we were satisfied. We all got very good at hitting a small door, which is roughly the size of a human. When you hit that stump with the rock with the sling, it brought back old memories. Good job!
You can soak the leather in water and then hang it up with the weight in it to dry, same way you mold new leather pants or gloves by soaking them and then wearing them wet and letting them dry on you, this perfectly forms the leather to the shape as it dries.
Lilly, The "boleadoras" were used as you said, to catch runing animals but also were used in a face to face fight with other person. To hunt you hold the boleadoras from the manija bola, which is one that needs to have a longer string and holds a smaller stone. In a fight, you hold the bola manija with your foot toe and spin the other two bolas aiming to reach the rival (but not hurling them away)
Hello Lily here from Paraná Entre Ríos Argentina. This bolas "boleadoras" are a weapon to hunt avestruces used by the Gauchos riding horses and Slingshot used by kids to play hiting targets here in Argentina🇦🇷 I use the Slingshot to hunt doves when I go to the woodlands to practice my bushcraft (sorry my Bad English) Greetings...
If memory serves me, the bolas cords were each of slightly different length, which help facilitate the spread of the weapon as it flies to the target. Some would fling it by holding the shortest or intermediate length.
Hi Lily. When I was taught to use the sling, my teacher told me that when I was about to launch the rock to always move my right foot forward toward the prey at the same time as I released the sling. Also to stamp my foot at the same time as the rock was released. Give it a go, it helped me.
It's worth mentioning that all of those bola throws where you think you are missing would actually be effective. It is probably easier than you think to trip up an animal without actually having the bola wrap around the legs completely. I know that I am frequently ensnared by harmless things like cords, electrical cables, clothes, and plastic bags, and they aren't even attacking me :)
Could you make a video on a staff sling? That’s much easier to use and it throws a stone super far with a lot of force. Also the staff can be used as a close combat weapon (if you miss with your stone and your enemy is now upon you), or as a simple walking staff or adapted for many other uses a spear (by lashing on a knife) a long handled firewood saw (strap on your hand saw), a fruit picker (strap on an upside down y-branch), an anchor for your sleeping hammock (horizontal behind a y in a tree), a torch (strap on a light) etc.
Once, when I was a kid, I made a bola of string and a couple large threaded nuts (the kind that goes on bolts) and I can confirm they are pretty good at entangling legs. Did a great job of tripping my brother up as he ran, on the first throw! lol
Hi! The “boleadoras” were used to hunt long-legged fast-paced animals in the pampas ( praires in Argentina) Their línes were more than meter long on average. Rheas, deers, guanacos (kind of llamas) etc were caught by hurling them, grabbing one of the lines so they entangled the game easily beacause Obed line was always free to keep the momentum. When horses arrived, both gauchos and indians used them to hunt wild cattle hurling them while Rufina. They were also used in war up to the XIX Century by frontier soldiers as well as indians. They are formidable melée weapons and indians were skillful feared warriors. Greetings from Argentina
My Dad taught me about the sling at a very young age. He and his friends always had them in their pockets when they were kids - not so much for hunting although he did bring home a few rabbits in his day - but for something to do while walking around, to and from school etc so they used them alot. Dad could hit a playing card sized target with consistency from about 40 ft . I never got that good as I didnt practice as much. With him and his friends in their younger days they were at it all the time. Thats a good way to practice - just when you are walking along. we cut a small hole in the pocket to help "hold" the stones and a softer pice of leather would also likely help as it would cradle the stones better. Good video for sure! Thanks!
Your videos are so rewarding and useful and well-made, that I put a like on them even before I've watched them, because I *know* they're going to be awesome!
The bola you have to retrieve every time - the sling stays with you, you only need to retrieve more stones now and them. Also using an action for the sling like 'pendulum casting' when fishing means the direction of the shot is easy - only the distance/height varies... Then again - I think a staff sling maybe the best...
Ancient armies used them in Peltast skirmish units, The sling that is. Greeks and Romans en-mass. Quite effective against anything especially enraging Elephants used as heavy units.
If one strand of the bola is longer or shorter than the others, and you hold only that strand to swing and throw, It becomes much more effective. Holding in the middle and throwing doesn't give the right spin to it to fully wrap around the target.
well done with the sling. I'm sure you know about this already, but another good "quick and dirty" small game weapon is the rabbit stick. basically just about a forearm length stick a couple inches in diameter so it's decently hefty but you can still throw it a fair distance, super easy to make and it doesn't matter if you lose it.
Great video, I have used both but never together, you have re-inspired me. The Bolas (Spanish) is great for bringing down an animal and has a shotgun arc approx 1 metre wide parallel to the ground. The sling has to hit, so is a one time shot which has to stun the prey with a small projectile.
Getting within 7m of a deer with the bola would be simply an amazing example of stealth that would be ruined as soon as you start swinging I think. It seems far better for entangling a human's feet or as part of an ambush where someone else scares the animal towards your position. I decided to give it a try after watching your video and used a little research. I found this: "Bolas of three weights are usually designed with two shorter cords with heavier weights, and one longer cord with a light weight" I tried it and OMG it's so much better then three the same length! give it a try :)
I think it is worth learning both, but in the long run, if I could only have one, I think I would be taking the sling over the Bola. The sling is a launcher that you keep with you, where as the Bola is the projectile and more susceptible to loss, and damage. I would concede that the Bola would work on larger animals than the sling, but for larger game I would be leaning towards an atlatl, bow, spear, or hearding trap. Still, as I initially said, it is worth learning as many methods as you can, even if just for fun! The fact that you took the time to make the weapons, and actually took the time to give them a serious try is awesome!
both requires practice. Yet improvised slings are really easy to use. I recall using even coats and jackets as an improvised sling - bigger poach area means opportunity to either use bigger projectile (one man artilery style) or opportunity to shoot multiple small stones at once. This is way to go: improvised slings and shot like ammo.
I think the sling is easier if you keep it vertical. That way you're not missing left and right, you just have to work out when to release for height/distance
For Bolo throwing, one short length to two long length. See Bolo You tube videos. The three strand one is for large game. Try a six or eight strand one for small game. Key word is practice, bolos are running weapon. not standing.
Greetings from Canada Survival Lilly ! I enjoyed this video. I would like to share a few things about these primitive tools. A good bola can be made using the large nuts from a 3/4 inch bolts. As for slings; Years ago when I was recovering from knee surgery ,I used the recovery time to make slings out of every available material. I found that paracord and leather made a slower sling ,so i started weaving the pocket out of different cords .After making a large cardboard box full of slings ,I found that the best ones were made out of bank line, or braided wool. Yes i took to time to braid 12 strands of wool yarn into strong wool cord. We found that the slings made out of cord had less air resistance than leather and were a bit more accurate. We also reached the same conclusions that you did at the end of your video. Cheers .
Always enjoy your videos ! This was a fun one with Amy along for the day. She is a beautiful dog ! Your aim was impressive with the sling and loved your reaction when you hit the stump ! Take care.
Staff sling is more accurate than a hand sling as well as more powerful. On the bolo, I have seen where one string was a few inches longer than the other two, to help it spread out. I also have seen people only use a half twirl then throw, not twirl it around and around. 👍
Very interesting, much more environmentally and human friendly than guns and bullets and so less expensive. A beach for practising with the sling would be great fun and easy to find stones!
To make your sling even more effective, wet your pouch and place a rock into it then the pouch tightly around rock and let dry. When dry untie and now rocks have a formed pouch with will improve accuracy! Excellent videos Lily! Love watching! Papa Murf
With the bola, the tangling is an incidental help, the stones are the destructive force! I've tried using a sling many times and finally saw a demonstration of basically old ladies using slings to defend the village when the men were out hunting or warring. These ladies swung the sling vertically instead of around, it is easier to line up on your target.
Darrel, you got it upside down, the tangling is the main purpose for the "boleadoras" as it was used to catch ñandues (small ostriches) and guanacos, it was used to hit with the stone in a face to face encounter with other person, holding the bola manija (one that has a longer string and holds a smaller stone) and swinging the other two
With sling I recommend a softer pouch that will hold the stone in place and use round stones but with more of a flattish side. Lay the stone flat in the sling not on its side. I also recommend making sling length folded from heart to end of hand.
Good job with that sling - your aim was getting pretty good really fast. It takes some time to get the release down just right. I made a sling from shoe laces and a leather shoe tongue from an old shoe when I was a kid. I was told to place a rock (or golf ball) in the 'pouch' and close it with a rubber band(s) and wet it and let it dry to form a nice natural hold for the stone, which I did. after which it was a little stiff so I used some neats foot oil to loosen it back up. Also, I trimmed the pouch to make it as aerodynamic as possible. Your sling was a good 'field expedient' weapon.
Just ordered your APO 1S from Canadian Prepper. Can't wait to get it. Thanks for all the hard work you put into developing and updating the knife. You truly care about your subscribers! Much respect and admiration from Long Island, NY.
Lily you always seem to amaze me with your wonderful skills as always. Also I have to say that your dog Amy has grew into one hell of a beautiful dog and that you are really lucky that you have her. And last I do have to compliment you on that wonderful smile of yours that you always have. Everytime I see your videos and that wonderful smile of yours you really make my day. Take care of yourself and I can't wait for your next video.
A bola is for ensnaring an animals legs so you can follow up with a spear to finish it off. Most often for use on horse back. A Shepard's sling is more for small to small medium game.
Hi Lilly, a great video as always. I think you did very well for a first try, it must be remembered that the tribal people who still use these weapons train from childhood in their use. Keep practicing :-)
I use a sling adapted from a design intended for slinging golf balls (and got banned froma local golf course for throwing the driving range balls back over the fence with it). Triangular pouch, and a toggle instead of just a knot on the end you let go. (I call it the "trigger bone," mostly because the first one I made used an antler toggle button). Takes some concentration to hit anything, but it tends to have very long range as it acts much like a staff sling.
I know this video is a year old and I don't know if you have continued to practice with the sling,but there is a video you should see. It's the TH-cam channel for David Morningstar, the video is titled "How to sling like a Balearic slinger". This is the easiest to understand instructional video I've seen, once you try this method you'll use it forever. I love your videos and have followed you for a while. Stay safe and keep the content coming. 👍
The Bola sling also works with people, I used it with a person that took my stuff and they felt very hard. But with the sling you can bring down large animals but you have to be precise.
Here in Argentina “ las tres Marias “ ( the three Maries) were used to Hunt Ñandúes ( like ostrich but smaller) and to combat also, with spear , big knives and poncho. Good video Lilly.
Bola is more of a hunting auxiliary tool for big game. The sling is a hunting primary tool for small to medium game. And as any primary hunting tool it can also become a primary war tool
Next time you make a boleadoras, make one of the strings shorter than the other two. When it comes to the shepherd's sling, there is such a thing as too short. Most experts suggest "arm length." Also, try a vertical/overhand swing. You'll not get caught in dense brush as easily, and you'll pick up aiming a lot easier too. The Bloeadoras are good for capturing game, not necessarily killing it. The Sling will kill sizeable game, and at pretty decent range too. I've seen total newbs learn to make a sling in a couple hours, learn to use it in a couple of hours, and then go squirrel hunting and bag several squirrels, all in a single day. For a survival weapon, that's extremely effective.
Whenever I practice archery, I try to end on a bullseye. I hope it will stick in my muscle memory 🎯 Although I have wondered about both of these weapons for years, I have never seen either in actual use. Thanks for showing us! From 🇺🇸
The sling a lot of history to it. For one it was used as a Roman slingers ranged weapon. It was very good at breaking bone and killing people if struck in the head. The bola on the other hand is only good if you have a spear with you
Hi Lilly, I love the way you get so excited when you accomplish your' goal. Cool. I think the Bolo would be the weapon of choice. After a little practice your accuracy was improved a lot. The Sling would take much more accuracy. I think you would have to hit, say an animal or enemy directly in the head to bring it down. That would be a lot more difficult I'm sure. Interesting video. I like the way you take on so many different challenges. Good job!
Generally for Ebola you want to leave one of the strings about three or four inches longer to help keep it from getting tangled you can also use pieces of wood with notches in them which makes it a little bit easier instead of having to use a pouch with rocks you also don't want to do full swings cuz that gives more of a chance of them tangling up if you couldn't do one full swing or even half a swing and throw your body weight into it it works a lot better
I'm surprised that you didn't sear the end of the paracord before trying to weave it through the holes. I'm thinking that if you could cup the pouch more on the sling, it might work better and allow you to get more revolutions and build up more speed and force.
I think it's impressive that you've improved so quickly. I think that both weapons serve a purpose and thus merit further practice. In time, you'd develop muscle mastery and besides, your sling's pouch (cradle) needs to get broken in a bit for peak efficiency. Good luck. In any case, you've created yet another fun, informative video. You briefly reminded me of Ayla from the Clan of the Cave Bear series.
You have a VERY GOOD show! Here's a Tip. Slow your roll a little with the Sling for Beginning Training . As you Develop Accuracy, you can add more Power. And Any Decent Strip of Cloth can Work as long as you can Get a Few Practice Shots in (To Adapt to the Sling).
I went through a short phase when I was about 13 when I really wanted to get good at the sling (like Ayla from Clan of the Cave Bear). I don't know how much you've practised off-camera, but you are definitely already better than I got. I agree that the bola is more practical.
Cool video….. I think both weapons have their merits. Different weapons for different situations. With practice a sling is amazingly accurate and very deadly.
Hi Lilly probably someone already mentioned this, but the name is "Boleadora" (ask Argentinians about it, as they even have a "Gaucho" dance that includes Boleadoras called "Malambo"). Keep up the Good Work!
I think it would depend on the circumstances, always remember with anything thrown be it a weapon or a ball for a sport anytime you throw something follow through is extremely important.
You don't need extensive training since it's just secondary weapons for you. But it's good to train just to find the right form and imprint a bit it in your muscle memory. Don't forget to train with more range too, varying the distance. 🧐😉 Also I agree with you to keep on working with the bola. It's a more forgiving wide area type of strike. But yeah open space... Flat land. It gives more options too. Bola can be use as a close weapon like a club/mace/flail. Can be use to immobilise/catch human. Maybe add long cord later for retrieving or getting hold of prey if it only stick to 1 leg or a bird like duck that can't fly but could escape to lake. you could also modify it into a net for fishing? ...
The sling and bola have their uses. Bolas are typically better for catching around legs of certain types of animals. I would not use a bola like that for birds but their were some made with more weights that were used for birds. I find the sling to be an all around better weapon. You can see some videos of it’s use on my channel. It’s a powerful weapon. Under the right conditions it can be as powerful as a gun. Slings have been used across the world for thousands of years for hunting, war and herding. It would not have been popular for that long if it was not a good weapon. Bow and sling together make an excellent combination for small, medium and large game hunting. One thing to understand is that of all projectile weapons the sling has the greatest strengths and weaknesses. It’s biggest weakness is it’s difficulty in learning. It’s a very difficult weapon to master but for those who do it gives amazing benefits. This is not a weapon you can just pick up and do a demo on after a little bit of use. I’ve been slinging for a very long time and still have good and bad days. You did very good though for a newer slinger. Good video Lily!
Good Tidings / Blessings. Respectfully ma'am, both work, if practiced"!....my grandfather once said, every tool has a job it can do"! It depends on what you wanted to do?! 🙃🙂 Bola is good for capturing in defense than a spear to end the hunt, than a pocket knife to skin & pull it's meat but a Sling can knock out pray / can work, if your accurate, you can still hit the target, a space is wise to make for the bola & sling"!
Hi lily, I haven't seen this one video before, so is a new one for me. I believe, is better to making practice with the sling. It can make more damage than Bolas. After all, in a survival situation, the right way to find food, is the traps. Not even a gun can give more chances to get a game to eat. With the traps can "be" in several positions at the same time. With a rifle, can be only in one. Any way, ❤️your dog is soo cute.
Awesome! Thank you Lilly. I love practicing with primitive tools. It gives you a deeper understanding of survival and brings you closer to nature and our primal instincts. Next try the atlatl and rabbit stick!!! Happy trails and keep up the good work.👍😄
I think one application for the sling was to spook animals from their bedding area from a distance as a driver, and other hunters were poised at escape route game trails where the animals would flee. Huge learning/practice curve with being accurate. Sling is kind of like a rifle, single projectile (with a bent barrel?) , where bolo is like a shotgun pattern with multiple projectiles. As a hunter, I can't imagine any wild animal standing still while a sling or bolo is being swung to make the throw. The amount of movement and whipping air sound would most likely only give you a moving shot. High wind days may help cover your motion and sound. I am with you on the bow. Hard to beat for speed, accuracy, stealth.
I like the staff sling. Making a staff sling/spear/amentum. Buying cheap throwing daggers for points with circles on hilts 12$ for 3. Using cheap dry wall tool handle 5$ from Menards. It must be boat tailed. A weighted point is easier to get it to fly right. Increase fletching or amentum string or beads to increase drag. I use leather patch on long amentum to hold spear. A simple atlatl is y shaped stick with knot in middle of string between the y. Started by making a Native American spear before I decided to make Irish Amentum spear. Roman amentum is short like Native American amentums. I did see a pic of Greek using atlatl with an amentum.
It's two weapons I have made and tried out and both take lots of time to master. But if I chose one it would be the sling lighter easier to carry and maneuver. A stick about 2-3 feet in length and 1- 2 inches diameter called a Navajo stick is easiest survival tool for game especially varmints.
La boleadora se usaba basicamente para cazar ñandúes y guanacos y mas tarde para atrapar caballos salvajes. En batalla se usaba para voltear al caballo del enemigo, por eso , los lanceros usaban la lanza hacia atras yhacia abajo, para que que la boleadora diera en la lanza y no en las patas del caballo. The boleadora was used basically to hunt rheas and guanacos and later to catch wild horses. In battle it was used to turn the enemy's horse, for that reason, the spearmen used the spear backwards and downwards, so that the boleadora hit the spear and not the horse's legs.
"Bolas of three weights are usually designed with two shorter cords with heavier weights, and one longer cord with a light weight. The heavier weights fly at the front parallel to each other, hit either side of the legs, and the lighter weight goes around, wrapping up the legs." From wikipedia
I wonder if you'd have more control, but still be effective, if you shortened the bola strings...pretty good shot there, by the way. I heard that bola hit the tree from your first throw; I think it may have been close enough to entangle the legs of a fleeing deer anyway...you'd have to be willing to run up and cut its throat quickly though, with this method, because it would bring the animal down alive. I'd have to truly be in a survival situation to want to do that. Really interesting video! Thank you for covering these weapons; first video I've seen done on them.
You can hunt big game with a Sling if you have around 1.5 years of constant practice with it {that's every day for an hour}, with years of experience you can be so good with a Sling that you would be just as good as an Expert with a bow with the damage potential of a 44. magnum. Slings aren't common anymore because bows are easer to use and work a lot better in military situations and formations which is also why the bow is incredibly common these days, because it had more military futility than a sling there for it become more prominent in history.
Bola is being a single ammunition weapon more like for catching animals but the Sling is throwing rocks with more power and it can cause a lot more damage than the Bola but it requires a lot more accuracy but that comes with practice
I personally prefer the staff sling... or half-staff sling (one handed) because people were looking at me weird walking down the street with a full-sized staff, especially the day I had a feather wrapped around the end just so I didn't lose it :facepalm:
I've read about some bola designs where one of the strings was significantly shorter than the others. Would be interesting to see how it affects its accuracy and power.
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I really like those two weapons but I like the sling a lot Because I cannot stop watching David and goliath because it was great to watch as I’ve been practicing a lot to.
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I carry a sling with me every day. It definitely can be used for larger animals. Greek, Roman, and past armies had battalions of "Slingers".
It's been known to kill giants
I carry a hand made sling with me every day as well. 👍
Yes , one giant in particular for sure. He was a Goliath of a man .
@@pine6163 yup. It's been known to take down Giants
"Let me show you its features".
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.... Nice.
Yes, the crossbow bola flechette! 😂
Make sure to wear your safety t-shirt!
I'm thinking that in cultures that used either weapon they started using them by playing with them as children. By the time they needed them for survival using them was second nature.
So yes, we would need LOTS of practice to use them well.
"Wannnabe survival" he took a year to get to a hunting lvl skill in a sling and that just made him at the lvl of a child also she's using small rocks u habe to pick the ammo wisely or use lead /iron ammo and her slings design isn't very good
This is exactly true. FOr slings I know this at least. The bola seems to be much easier to use, but she's not using it properly. Kids would start out using slings not just for play, it was to ward off predators. In the ancient world, children were often shepherds. They would use slings to ward off wolves and jackals and the like. The great thing about a sling is, unlike say, a longbow, it takes almost no strength to wield. Just a keen eye and sharp reflexes, and lots of practice. They were also used to kill small animals like birds and rabbits, they could be used to hunt bigger game but they lacked the stopping power of a bow or crossbow.
@@dylanperkins7939 they could kill big game if you aimed between the eyes and used hard, round rocks
How much practice depends on the person. Some folks are born with with an inclination for good hand/eye coordination.
@@all9472 there are quite some people doing TH-cam videos on balearic sling. Both their construction and techniques allow them for great accuracy and velocity. There are even competitions.
Using a bola can be tricky. I learned from experimenting that holding one of the weights and using it to swing the other 2 around seems to help the bola open up in flight.
And how you described it is actually the authentic way to do it.
In Argentina they use this method. Usually on horse back
This is also how I would do it
That is how I learnt. One is smaller and you grab that one and swing the other 2
Lilly. I grew up with the bola. I've found that it functions better if you hold only one of the bola branches and you'll discover that it opens up and rotates like a frisbee.
When I used to make slings as a kid ,I found the softer the leather used for the pouch ,the better it worked. You were killing it with your aim.
Definitely appreciate you using stones that are so visible to the camera, thank you. Both weapons are amazing for what they do, simple as they are.
Hi, Im from Argentina. Primitive cultures used bolas (most comunly named boleadoras) here in my country. My grandfather knew how to make them, and how to use. They used to be three strings, I never saw one made of more of three. The rigt length of the stings was the lenght of your arm extended from the center of your chest plus the length of your forearm and your hand extended. The weight of each stone was about 200 gr, but I dont remember well. The way to shoot these was grabing one of the stones and swing it. Is used a special knot to transport the weapon and to shoot it rigth. I think I remember still how to make it. Usually it was used horseback riding
I used to practice with a sling when I was young. You can get incredible range and power with it, but takes a lot of practice to acquire accuracy.
Yep! When I was in high school, I could kill a pigeon or rabbit with ease with the sling. I tried the sling last year, after about 20 years of not using one, and I couldn't hit a thing with it! It's definitely a use or lose it tool.
@@matthewsresilientways you probably gained sized and your arms lengthened + you got stronger so I imagine that if you were back in highschool you would've hit your shots but your body is different. just a guess though
A short sling gives accuracy sacrificing range. A long sling gives range sacrificing accuracy.
My dad‘s friend was a leathersmith, and he made me and my two sisters each a sling when we were children. He worked the leather with oil before he gave it to us so it would form around the stone. In my opinion the sling that you made, the leather looks stiff and rigid. You did it on the fly,… Good work gal.
My younger sisters and I became very proficient quickly. There was a farm outside of Winterset Iowa, and we used to practice with it by using a corn crib, which is very big, as a target about 25 yards away. We would aim at the small door as our ultimate target, but if we hit the big building we were satisfied. We all got very good at hitting a small door, which is roughly the size of a human. When you hit that stump with the rock with the sling, it brought back old memories. Good job!
You can soak the leather in water and then hang it up with the weight in it to dry, same way you mold new leather pants or gloves by soaking them and then wearing them wet and letting them dry on you, this perfectly forms the leather to the shape as it dries.
Lily, good to see you out in the wild swinging away! And without a mask!
Lilly, The "boleadoras" were used as you said, to catch runing animals but also were used in a face to face fight with other person. To hunt you hold the boleadoras from the manija bola, which is one that needs to have a longer string and holds a smaller stone. In a fight, you hold the bola manija with your foot toe and spin the other two bolas aiming to reach the rival (but not hurling them away)
Hello Lily here from Paraná Entre Ríos Argentina.
This bolas "boleadoras" are a weapon to hunt avestruces used by the Gauchos riding horses and Slingshot used by kids to play hiting targets here in Argentina🇦🇷
I use the Slingshot to hunt doves when I go to the woodlands to practice my bushcraft (sorry my Bad English)
Greetings...
If memory serves me, the bolas cords were each of slightly different length, which help facilitate the spread of the weapon as it flies to the target. Some would fling it by holding the shortest or intermediate length.
Hi Lily. When I was taught to use the sling, my teacher told me that when I was about to launch the rock to always move my right foot forward toward the prey at the same time as I released the sling. Also to stamp my foot at the same time as the rock was released. Give it a go, it helped me.
Love seeing you get excited when you hit your target!! Enjoy your videos. Very informative
It's worth mentioning that all of those bola throws where you think you are missing would actually be effective. It is probably easier than you think to trip up an animal without actually having the bola wrap around the legs completely. I know that I am frequently ensnared by harmless things like cords, electrical cables, clothes, and plastic bags, and they aren't even attacking me :)
It seems like having a few offcuts of leather, either rounds or rectangles, kept in the bottom of your various kits would come in extra handy!
Could you make a video on a staff sling? That’s much easier to use and it throws a stone super far with a lot of force. Also the staff can be used as a close combat weapon (if you miss with your stone and your enemy is now upon you), or as a simple walking staff or adapted for many other uses a spear (by lashing on a knife) a long handled firewood saw (strap on your hand saw), a fruit picker (strap on an upside down y-branch), an anchor for your sleeping hammock (horizontal behind a y in a tree), a torch (strap on a light) etc.
Once, when I was a kid, I made a bola of string and a couple large threaded nuts (the kind that goes on bolts) and I can confirm they are pretty good at entangling legs. Did a great job of tripping my brother up as he ran, on the first throw! lol
Hi! The “boleadoras” were used to hunt long-legged fast-paced animals in the pampas ( praires in Argentina) Their línes were more than meter long on average. Rheas, deers, guanacos (kind of llamas) etc were caught by hurling them, grabbing one of the lines so they entangled the game easily beacause Obed line was always free to keep the momentum. When horses arrived, both gauchos and indians used them to hunt wild cattle hurling them while Rufina. They were also used in war up to the XIX Century by frontier soldiers as well as indians. They are formidable melée weapons and indians were skillful feared warriors. Greetings from Argentina
So sad to see the gringos miss use such a fierce weapon. It's not their fault but a little bit of research should set them into the right path.
My Dad taught me about the sling at a very young age. He and his friends always had them in their pockets when they were kids - not so much for hunting although he did bring home a few rabbits in his day - but for something to do while walking around, to and from school etc so they used them alot. Dad could hit a playing card sized target with consistency from about 40 ft . I never got that good as I didnt practice as much. With him and his friends in their younger days they were at it all the time. Thats a good way to practice - just when you are walking along. we cut a small hole in the pocket to help "hold" the stones and a softer pice of leather would also likely help as it would cradle the stones better.
Good video for sure! Thanks!
Your videos are so rewarding and useful and well-made, that I put a like on them even before I've watched them, because I *know* they're going to be awesome!
The bola you have to retrieve every time - the sling stays with you, you only need to retrieve more stones now and them. Also using an action for the sling like 'pendulum casting' when fishing means the direction of the shot is easy - only the distance/height varies... Then again - I think a staff sling maybe the best...
Ancient armies used them in Peltast skirmish units, The sling that is. Greeks and Romans en-mass. Quite effective against anything especially enraging Elephants used as heavy units.
If one strand of the bola is longer or shorter than the others, and you hold only that strand to swing and throw, It becomes much more effective. Holding in the middle and throwing doesn't give the right spin to it to fully wrap around the target.
well done with the sling. I'm sure you know about this already, but another good "quick and dirty" small game weapon is the rabbit stick. basically just about a forearm length stick a couple inches in diameter so it's decently hefty but you can still throw it a fair distance, super easy to make and it doesn't matter if you lose it.
Great video, I have used both but never together, you have re-inspired me. The Bolas (Spanish) is great for bringing down an animal and has a shotgun arc approx 1 metre wide parallel to the ground. The sling has to hit, so is a one time shot which has to stun the prey with a small projectile.
Getting within 7m of a deer with the bola would be simply an amazing example of stealth that would be ruined as soon as you start swinging I think.
It seems far better for entangling a human's feet or as part of an ambush where someone else scares the animal towards your position.
I decided to give it a try after watching your video and used a little research.
I found this:
"Bolas of three weights are usually designed with two shorter cords with heavier weights, and one longer cord with a light weight"
I tried it and OMG it's so much better then three the same length!
give it a try :)
The rapport between you and Amy is just wonderful to watch. That in itself is an important primitive skill !
I think it is worth learning both, but in the long run, if I could only have one, I think I would be taking the sling over the Bola. The sling is a launcher that you keep with you, where as the Bola is the projectile and more susceptible to loss, and damage. I would concede that the Bola would work on larger animals than the sling, but for larger game I would be leaning towards an atlatl, bow, spear, or hearding trap. Still, as I initially said, it is worth learning as many methods as you can, even if just for fun! The fact that you took the time to make the weapons, and actually took the time to give them a serious try is awesome!
both requires practice. Yet improvised slings are really easy to use. I recall using even coats and jackets as an improvised sling - bigger poach area means opportunity to either use bigger projectile (one man artilery style) or opportunity to shoot multiple small stones at once. This is way to go: improvised slings and shot like ammo.
I think the sling is easier if you keep it vertical. That way you're not missing left and right, you just have to work out when to release for height/distance
For Bolo throwing, one short length to two long length. See Bolo You tube videos. The three strand one is for large game. Try a six or eight strand one for small game. Key word is practice, bolos are running weapon. not standing.
Greetings from Canada Survival Lilly ! I enjoyed this video. I would like to share a few things about these primitive tools. A good bola can be made using the large nuts from a 3/4 inch bolts. As for slings; Years ago when I was recovering from knee surgery ,I used the recovery time to make slings out of every available material. I found that paracord and leather made a slower sling ,so i started weaving the pocket out of different cords .After making a large cardboard box full of slings ,I found that the best ones were made out of bank line, or braided wool. Yes i took to time to braid 12 strands of wool yarn into strong wool cord. We found that the slings made out of cord had less air resistance than leather and were a bit more accurate. We also reached the same conclusions that you did at the end of your video. Cheers .
Nice. Mine is paracord and duct tape for the pocket.
Always enjoy your videos ! This was a fun one with Amy along for the day. She is a beautiful dog ! Your aim was impressive with the sling and loved your reaction when you hit the stump ! Take care.
Staff sling is more accurate than a hand sling as well as more powerful. On the bolo, I have seen where one string was a few inches longer than the other two, to help it spread out. I also have seen people only use a half twirl then throw, not twirl it around and around. 👍
Very interesting, much more environmentally and human friendly than guns and bullets and so less expensive. A beach for practising with the sling would be great fun and easy to find stones!
To make your sling even more effective, wet your pouch and place a rock into it then the pouch tightly around rock and let dry. When dry untie and now rocks have a formed pouch with will improve accuracy! Excellent videos Lily! Love watching!
Papa Murf
With the bola, the tangling is an incidental help, the stones are the destructive force! I've tried using a sling many times and finally saw a demonstration of basically old ladies using slings to defend the village when the men were out hunting or warring. These ladies swung the sling vertically instead of around, it is easier to line up on your target.
Darrel, you got it upside down, the tangling is the main purpose for the "boleadoras" as it was used to catch ñandues (small ostriches) and guanacos, it was used to hit with the stone in a face to face encounter with other person, holding the bola manija (one that has a longer string and holds a smaller stone) and swinging the other two
you can actually weave the the entire sling from paracord or a bootlace.
I've just made one a few days ago. Buzzing fun 😁
You make what's called a Monkey Fist for a bola. 🐒✊
Or even natural jute twine. Works great and has a nice rough look and feel.
With sling I recommend a softer pouch that will hold the stone in place and use round stones but with more of a flattish side. Lay the stone flat in the sling not on its side. I also recommend making sling length folded from heart to end of hand.
Good job with that sling - your aim was getting pretty good really fast. It takes some time to get the release down just right. I made a sling from shoe laces and a leather shoe tongue from an old shoe when I was a kid. I was told to place a rock (or golf ball) in the 'pouch' and close it with a rubber band(s) and wet it and let it dry to form a nice natural hold for the stone, which I did. after which it was a little stiff so I used some neats foot oil to loosen it back up. Also, I trimmed the pouch to make it as aerodynamic as possible. Your sling was a good 'field expedient' weapon.
Just ordered your APO 1S from Canadian Prepper. Can't wait to get it. Thanks for all the hard work you put into developing and updating the knife. You truly care about your subscribers! Much respect and admiration from Long Island, NY.
Lily you always seem to amaze me with your wonderful skills as always. Also I have to say that your dog Amy has grew into one hell of a beautiful dog and that you are really lucky that you have her. And last I do have to compliment you on that wonderful smile of yours that you always have. Everytime I see your videos and that wonderful smile of yours you really make my day. Take care of yourself and I can't wait for your next video.
A bola is for ensnaring an animals legs so you can follow up with a spear to finish it off. Most often for use on horse back. A Shepard's sling is more for small to small medium game.
Hi Lilly, a great video as always. I think you did very well for a first try, it must be remembered that the tribal people who still use these weapons train from childhood in their use. Keep practicing :-)
That’s awesome. Could you imagine if you had very uniform rocks? Or steel ball bearings
Its not traditional but ive used sand that you can weight much more precisely
I use a sling adapted from a design intended for slinging golf balls (and got banned froma local golf course for throwing the driving range balls back over the fence with it). Triangular pouch, and a toggle instead of just a knot on the end you let go. (I call it the "trigger bone," mostly because the first one I made used an antler toggle button). Takes some concentration to hit anything, but it tends to have very long range as it acts much like a staff sling.
I didn't know what a Bola was a good weapon hope I've always got a firearm but survival is key.Always great to see Amy with you. Thanks Lilly and Amy.
I know this video is a year old and I don't know if you have continued to practice with the sling,but there is a video you should see. It's the TH-cam channel for David Morningstar, the video is titled "How to sling like a Balearic slinger". This is the easiest to understand instructional video I've seen, once you try this method you'll use it forever. I love your videos and have followed you for a while. Stay safe and keep the content coming. 👍
The Bola sling also works with people, I used it with a person that took my stuff and they felt very hard. But with the sling you can bring down large animals but you have to be precise.
Here in Argentina “ las tres Marias “ ( the three Maries)
were used to Hunt Ñandúes ( like ostrich but smaller) and to combat also, with spear , big knives and poncho.
Good video Lilly.
Bola is more of a hunting auxiliary tool for big game.
The sling is a hunting primary tool for small to medium game. And as any primary hunting tool it can also become a primary war tool
Both are equally effective. It's the desired effect you are looking for and environment you are in.
Next time you make a boleadoras, make one of the strings shorter than the other two.
When it comes to the shepherd's sling, there is such a thing as too short. Most experts suggest "arm length." Also, try a vertical/overhand swing. You'll not get caught in dense brush as easily, and you'll pick up aiming a lot easier too.
The Bloeadoras are good for capturing game, not necessarily killing it. The Sling will kill sizeable game, and at pretty decent range too. I've seen total newbs learn to make a sling in a couple hours, learn to use it in a couple of hours, and then go squirrel hunting and bag several squirrels, all in a single day. For a survival weapon, that's extremely effective.
Love your content, great job as usual
Whenever I practice archery, I try to end on a bullseye.
I hope it will stick in my muscle memory 🎯
Although I have wondered about both of these weapons for years, I have never seen either in actual use.
Thanks for showing us! From 🇺🇸
The sling a lot of history to it. For one it was used as a Roman slingers ranged weapon. It was very good at breaking bone and killing people if struck in the head. The bola on the other hand is only good if you have a spear with you
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Hi Lilly, I love the way you get so excited when you accomplish your' goal. Cool.
I think the Bolo would be the weapon of choice. After a little practice your accuracy was improved a lot. The Sling would take much more accuracy. I think you would have to hit, say an animal or enemy directly in the head to bring it down. That would be a lot more difficult I'm sure. Interesting video. I like the way you take on so many different challenges. Good job!
You can use the paracord to make a pouch. A Shepherds Sling takes much practice to kill game with reliable. Good video.
Generally for Ebola you want to leave one of the strings about three or four inches longer to help keep it from getting tangled you can also use pieces of wood with notches in them which makes it a little bit easier instead of having to use a pouch with rocks you also don't want to do full swings cuz that gives more of a chance of them tangling up if you couldn't do one full swing or even half a swing and throw your body weight into it it works a lot better
As soon as I posted this comment she hit the shrubs doing a half swing
I'm surprised that you didn't sear the end of the paracord before trying to weave it through the holes. I'm thinking that if you could cup the pouch more on the sling, it might work better and allow you to get more revolutions and build up more speed and force.
Golf balls are great to use in the sling as they are all the same weight and size. Every rock flies a bit different.
I think it's impressive that you've improved so quickly. I think that both weapons serve a purpose and thus merit further practice. In time, you'd develop muscle mastery and besides, your sling's pouch (cradle) needs to get broken in a bit for peak efficiency. Good luck. In any case, you've created yet another fun, informative video. You briefly reminded me of Ayla from the Clan of the Cave Bear series.
One of my favourite novels! Ayla was fab!
actually its been a while since ive seen SV Lilly i thought she had stop posting... glad to find her here! love SVLilly
You have a VERY GOOD show!
Here's a Tip. Slow your roll a little with the Sling for Beginning Training . As you Develop Accuracy, you can add more Power.
And Any Decent Strip of Cloth can Work as long as you can Get a Few Practice Shots in (To Adapt to the Sling).
Wet the leather before you sling. Helps seat the rock. I sent a rock over 100 yards for first time today.
I went through a short phase when I was about 13 when I really wanted to get good at the sling (like Ayla from Clan of the Cave Bear). I don't know how much you've practised off-camera, but you are definitely already better than I got. I agree that the bola is more practical.
Cool video….. I think both weapons have their merits. Different weapons for different situations. With practice a sling is amazingly accurate and very deadly.
Goliath disliked this video
I just love it how Amy interferes whenever she feels like it.
Lilly, put your sling on a stick. Staff slings are lethal and intuitive to use. Load it and point the stick at the target. Target dies.
Hi Lilly probably someone already mentioned this, but the name is "Boleadora" (ask Argentinians about it, as they even have a "Gaucho" dance that includes Boleadoras called "Malambo"). Keep up the Good Work!
I think it would depend on the circumstances, always remember with anything thrown be it a weapon or a ball for a sport anytime you throw something follow through is extremely important.
You don't need extensive training since it's just secondary weapons for you. But it's good to train just to find the right form and imprint a bit it in your muscle memory. Don't forget to train with more range too, varying the distance. 🧐😉
Also I agree with you to keep on working with the bola.
It's a more forgiving wide area type of strike. But yeah open space... Flat land.
It gives more options too.
Bola can be use as a close weapon like a club/mace/flail.
Can be use to immobilise/catch human.
Maybe add long cord later for retrieving or getting hold of prey if it only stick to 1 leg or a bird like duck that can't fly but could escape to lake.
you could also modify it into a net for fishing?
...
The sling and bola have their uses. Bolas are typically better for catching around legs of certain types of animals. I would not use a bola like that for birds but their were some made with more weights that were used for birds. I find the sling to be an all around better weapon.
You can see some videos of it’s use on my channel. It’s a powerful weapon. Under the right conditions it can be as powerful as a gun. Slings have been used across the world for thousands of years for hunting, war and herding. It would not have been popular for that long if it was not a good weapon. Bow and sling together make an excellent combination for small, medium and large game hunting.
One thing to understand is that of all projectile weapons the sling has the greatest strengths and weaknesses. It’s biggest weakness is it’s difficulty in learning. It’s a very difficult weapon to master but for those who do it gives amazing benefits. This is not a weapon you can just pick up and do a demo on after a little bit of use. I’ve been slinging for a very long time and still have good and bad days. You did very good though for a newer slinger.
Good video Lily!
Good Tidings / Blessings.
Respectfully ma'am, both work, if practiced"!....my grandfather once said, every tool has a job it can do"! It depends on what you wanted to do?! 🙃🙂
Bola is good for capturing in defense than a spear to end the hunt, than a pocket knife to skin & pull it's meat but a Sling can knock out pray / can work, if your accurate, you can still hit the target, a space is wise to make for the bola & sling"!
My niece totally is learning this!!! Thank you so much!!!
Hi lily, I haven't seen this one video before, so is a new one for me. I believe, is better to making practice with the sling. It can make more damage than Bolas. After all, in a survival situation, the right way to find food, is the traps. Not even a gun can give more chances to get a game to eat. With the traps can "be" in several positions at the same time. With a rifle, can be only in one. Any way, ❤️your dog is soo cute.
It was fun watching the stones go by the ones you missed and see how far they went but as soon as you said last Rock you swung harder overconfident
Awesome! Thank you Lilly. I love practicing with primitive tools. It gives you a deeper understanding of survival and brings you closer to nature and our primal instincts. Next try the atlatl and rabbit stick!!! Happy trails and keep up the good work.👍😄
you actually make the sling look really easy and powerful and accurate all at the same time while i’m out here struggling so hard 😭😂
Well done. Always enjoy your videos. Thanks again.
I think one application for the sling was to spook animals from their bedding area from a distance as a driver, and other hunters were poised at escape route game trails where the animals would flee. Huge learning/practice curve with being accurate. Sling is kind of like a rifle, single projectile (with a bent barrel?) , where bolo is like a shotgun pattern with multiple projectiles. As a hunter, I can't imagine any wild animal standing still while a sling or bolo is being swung to make the throw. The amount of movement and whipping air sound would most likely only give you a moving shot. High wind days may help cover your motion and sound. I am with you on the bow. Hard to beat for speed, accuracy, stealth.
I like the staff sling. Making a staff sling/spear/amentum. Buying cheap throwing daggers for points with circles on hilts 12$ for 3. Using cheap dry wall tool handle 5$ from Menards. It must be boat tailed. A weighted point is easier to get it to fly right. Increase fletching or amentum string or beads to increase drag. I use leather patch on long amentum to hold spear. A simple atlatl is y shaped stick with knot in middle of string between the y. Started by making a Native American spear before I decided to make Irish Amentum spear. Roman amentum is short like Native American amentums. I did see a pic of Greek using atlatl with an amentum.
if you cut a few short slits in the pouch parallel to the cord the sling will grip the stone better before release.
It's two weapons I have made and tried out and both take lots of time to master. But if I chose one it would be the sling lighter easier to carry and maneuver. A stick about 2-3 feet in length and 1- 2 inches diameter called a Navajo stick is easiest survival tool for game especially varmints.
Nice job! You should try an Atlatl . They are easy to make and easier to learn than a sling.
Easier to learn, NOT easy to make. How's making the darts going?
I made a bolo of rocks and string when I was a kid. I’d tie the string around a long rock. It was fun to practice with.
La boleadora se usaba basicamente para cazar ñandúes y guanacos y mas tarde para atrapar caballos salvajes.
En batalla se usaba para voltear al caballo del enemigo, por eso , los lanceros usaban la lanza hacia atras yhacia abajo, para que que la boleadora diera en la lanza y no en las patas del caballo.
The boleadora was used basically to hunt rheas and guanacos and later to catch wild horses.
In battle it was used to turn the enemy's horse, for that reason, the spearmen used the spear backwards and downwards, so that the boleadora hit the spear and not the horse's legs.
I just cant imagine how you could catch big game with a bola. Maybe squirrels or rabbits or something, but they don't have such long legs.
Hi Lilly, it's good to see you. I hope your doing well! Thanks for the video!
"Bolas of three weights are usually designed with two shorter cords with heavier weights, and one longer cord with a light weight. The heavier weights fly at the front parallel to each other, hit either side of the legs, and the lighter weight goes around, wrapping up the legs." From wikipedia
I wonder if you'd have more control, but still be effective, if you shortened the bola strings...pretty good shot there, by the way. I heard that bola hit the tree from your first throw; I think it may have been close enough to entangle the legs of a fleeing deer anyway...you'd have to be willing to run up and cut its throat quickly though, with this method, because it would bring the animal down alive. I'd have to truly be in a survival situation to want to do that. Really interesting video! Thank you for covering these weapons; first video I've seen done on them.
You can hunt big game with a Sling if you have around 1.5 years of constant practice with it {that's every day for an hour}, with years of experience you can be so good with a Sling that you would be just as good as an Expert with a bow with the damage potential of a 44. magnum. Slings aren't common anymore because bows are easer to use and work a lot better in military situations and formations which is also why the bow is incredibly common these days, because it had more military futility than a sling there for it become more prominent in history.
Bola is being a single ammunition weapon more like for catching animals but the Sling is throwing rocks with more power and it can cause a lot more damage than the Bola but it requires a lot more accuracy but that comes with practice
I personally prefer the staff sling... or half-staff sling (one handed) because people were looking at me weird walking down the street with a full-sized staff, especially the day I had a feather wrapped around the end just so I didn't lose it :facepalm:
I've read about some bola designs where one of the strings was significantly shorter than the others. Would be interesting to see how it affects its accuracy and power.
Some books says to make one longer which will help the bola to spread out
That'll sacrifice it's feature to incapacitate a prey long enough for the hunter to approach.
slings are difficult, we played with them as kids in the 60s, you did well :).. My opinion is that they're situational weapons
Very informative. I've never seen a bola used before. I liked the sling portion a lot as well. The sling would be easier to craft.