Editing Sling (weapon) (section)

=== Construction ===
A classic sling is braided from non-elastic material. The traditional materials are [[flax]], [[hemp]] or [[wool]]. Slings by Balearic islanders were said to be made from a [[Juncaceae|rush]]. Flax and hemp resist rotting, but wool is softer and more comfortable. [[Polyester]] is often used for modern slings, because it does not rot or stretch and is soft and free of splinters.

Braided cords are used in preference to twisted rope, as a braid resists twisting when stretched. This improves accuracy.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Cahlander|first1=Adele|title=Sling Braiding of the Andes (Weaver's Journal Monograph IV)|date=1980|publisher=Dos Tejadores|location=St. Paul, MN|isbn=978-0937452035|ref=SBrAndes}}</ref>

The overall length of a sling can vary. A slinger may have slings of different lengths. A longer sling is used when greater range is required. A length of about {{convert|61|to|100|cm|ft|abbr=on|sigfig=2}} is typical.

At the centre of the sling, a cradle or pouch is constructed. This may be formed by making a wide braid from the same material as the cords or by inserting a piece of a different material such as [[leather]]. The cradle is typically diamond shaped (although some take the form of a net), and will fold around the projectile in use. Some cradles have a hole or slit that allows the material to wrap around the projectile slightly, thereby holding it more securely.

At the end of one cord (called the retention cord) a finger-loop is formed. At the end of the other cord (the release cord), it is a common practice to form a knot or a tab. The release cord will be held between finger and thumb to be released at just the right moment, and may have a complex braid to add bulk to the end. This makes the knot easier to hold, and the extra weight allows the loose end of a discharged sling to be recovered with a flick of the wrist.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tko5DAAAQBAJ&pg=PT147|last=Ramsey|first=Syed|title=Tools of War: History of Weapons in Medieval Times|page=147|publisher=Alpha Editions|isbn=978-9386101662|year=2016|access-date=2019-07-08}}</ref>

Braided construction resists stretching, and therefore produces an accurate sling. Modern slings are begun by plaiting the cord for the finger loop in the centre of a double-length set of cords. The cords are then folded to form the finger-loop. The retained cord is then plaited away from the loop as a single cord up to the pocket. The pocket is then plaited, most simply as another pair of cords, or with flat braids or a woven net. The remainder of the sling, the released cord, is plaited as a single cord, and then finished with a knot or plaited tab.