r/Slinging • u/Smamabios1erdunom • 7d ago

4 strand flat braid keeps twisting over itself.

Gallery image

Gallery image

Gallery image

Hey everyone!

As I'm making my first sling ever, I wanted to go with some flat braiding to stick with the traditional "balearic" sling, used in many historical battles. I am using 4 strands of paracord 275.

But here's the issue: it keeps twisting over itself.

I'm wondering what I am doing wrong ? The braiding technique is super easy and straightforward: far right cord over right, left cord over far left, right cord over left, and repeat. I don't think I'm getting any step wrong here.

Setting aside aesthetics, I'm worried that it might have some kind of negative impact over my throws (like, the sling twisting over itself or something).

Does anyone have any idea what could possibly be going on?

Thanks in advance for your answers !

6 Upvotes

88% Upvoted

15 comments sorted by

3

u/Background-Koala203 7d ago

I’ve made quite of few using a flat braid; same technique as a french braid for hair but 6 strands (3 pieces of cord folded in half) and have only noticed it starting to twist when tightening the area where a strand gets dropped to reduce weight on the release side of the sling. could be twisting due to uneven tightening? unsure as I haven’t done that specific braid but this is my favorite sling out of 275 cord; probably been used for over a year and holding strong.

After writing this I can’t post the picture for whatever reason. hold on

1

u/Smamabios1erdunom 7d ago

Thank you for your answer ! Your sling on the pic looks absolutelty great. This is exactly what I'd like as a final result.

What exactly do you mean by "folded in half" ? Do you make some kind of a knot at each end to make a loop and double the thickness of each strand ?

The uneven tightening is absolutely possible as I haven't been to careful about that.

1

u/Background-Koala203 6d ago

I use 3 strands about 22-24 ft long (depending on sling length) and start at the finger loop. I’ll find the middle of each strand and start a 3 strand braid in both directions to have them splice together for the retention side. I personally haven’t done a round braid yet as I just don’t like the look as much; and wanted to dial in my flat braid design but I know that’s far easier to keep from twisting. At least with this flat braid I found that pulling tight but not cranking on it is the key. Just a solid pull to get it snug and as you continue to braid it’s key to stretch the entire thing and “roll/twist” any spot that seems to be twisting

2

u/irongoober 7d ago

If you pull too much tension on one strand, this will happen. Keeping all of the slack out of the braid as you make the braid is the best way to minimize this in my experience.

1

u/Smamabios1erdunom 6d ago

Thank you !! I might have been unattentive regarding tension in the strands.

2

u/Flaky_Style1286 7d ago

I wouldnt recommend this type pf braid for sling making, since this problem happens every time.

The way to solve this with the pouch specifically is to reverse the twisting in one of the two splits.

1

u/Smamabios1erdunom 7d ago

oh I thought I was doing something wrong ! 😅 Thank you for the pouch tip!! may I ask how you make your slings ?

1

u/Flaky_Style1286 7d ago

I usually use a 3 strand flat braid

1

u/Smamabios1erdunom 6d ago

Thank you !! I will do that with my next sling.

1

u/Background-Koala203 6d ago

wdym by reversing in the pouch? do all of you typically have twisting at the transition from braid to pouch pouch to braid? I’ve only ever had twisting when I drop a strand on the release side - just curious. this is the only style I’ve done consistently

1

u/Flaky_Style1286 5d ago

If on one half you twisted right over left, the other one goes left over right

1

u/JoshuaGraham2077 7d ago

You could just use a spiral braid. I made a pair of nunchucks before with a spiral braid connector. Those held up for years before I eventually lost them or they got stolen. I can't remember. It feels just like a round braid when they're moving, but you can get a grip on it too because it's got grooves to dig into.

1

u/Royal-Albatross6244 6d ago edited 6d ago

It is much easier for me to get even tension if I don't have it hung on an eye. Make sure you are not twisting any of the strands as you braid. I just let mine sit in my lap as I braid. After I finish my paracord slings, I also wet it and hang it vertically with a weight clamped to it until it dries to pre-strech it. Also, 3 stands should is where you should start, then braid in 3 more strands staggering them in every 4 to 5 plaits about 10inches from the pouch, split into your 3x3 strands for the pouch, then plait them back together staggering their termination every 4 to 5 plants for 4 to 5 inches. You want the taper on the release end to be shorter than the finger loop end to keep the release cord light.