It's a weapon, but it's not a knife, sword or gun. This version is a Western weapon, but it's pretty universal, and I know next to zip about WMA. It's not exactly self defense, but it was a self defense tool. There aren't any forms or schools for it, but it was widely used. I'm not selling them (yet 
). So it'll go here. If the mods think it belongs somewhere else, there it will go...
I've collected odd weapons and implements of destruction for quite a while and spent mmm-yes, *shuffles feet* "How about them Cubs?" dollars on them over the years. One classic one that I've heard of but never seen an old example of is a slungshot.
The slungshot is a sailor's improvised weapon, always present, easy to make, effective, and completely forbidden on ship or shore. Many jurisdictions have laws against them to this day. The slungshot was defense against thieves and the press-gang, for use in fights or for those special occasions when one wanted to farm the road for pocket money.
The slung shot was made of rope. Scraps of rope are everywhere on a sailing ship. One end was formed into a monkey's fist knot. The knot contained a weight, usually a ball from canister or grape shot. The other end could be made plain but was usually turned into a loop either by braiding the end of the monkey fist to the other end of the line or, more commonly, making an eye-splice.
It took about fifteen minutes to learn to make the monkey's fist and the three-strand eye splice. I used 3/8" sisal rope and jute cord and a 16 oz "cannonball" fishing sinker. Putting the piece together took about ten minutes. Whipping the splice and the loop took another twenty or so.
If anyone knows a good cheap source for 8-12mm hemp rope I'd be much obliged.
). So it'll go here. If the mods think it belongs somewhere else, there it will go...I've collected odd weapons and implements of destruction for quite a while and spent mmm-yes, *shuffles feet* "How about them Cubs?" dollars on them over the years. One classic one that I've heard of but never seen an old example of is a slungshot.
The slungshot is a sailor's improvised weapon, always present, easy to make, effective, and completely forbidden on ship or shore. Many jurisdictions have laws against them to this day. The slungshot was defense against thieves and the press-gang, for use in fights or for those special occasions when one wanted to farm the road for pocket money.
The slung shot was made of rope. Scraps of rope are everywhere on a sailing ship. One end was formed into a monkey's fist knot. The knot contained a weight, usually a ball from canister or grape shot. The other end could be made plain but was usually turned into a loop either by braiding the end of the monkey fist to the other end of the line or, more commonly, making an eye-splice.
It took about fifteen minutes to learn to make the monkey's fist and the three-strand eye splice. I used 3/8" sisal rope and jute cord and a 16 oz "cannonball" fishing sinker. Putting the piece together took about ten minutes. Whipping the splice and the loop took another twenty or so.
If anyone knows a good cheap source for 8-12mm hemp rope I'd be much obliged.
