Main Discussion Area > Cave Men only "Oooga Booga"
two slings
swamp monkey:
Yep. When de-leafing I sometimes wear a leather glove as I shuck leaves off. That keeps the crock between my thumb and forefinger form getting some acid. After that no worries about itching. I don't know what is out there for processing nettle but I have found it easier to simply use my pocket knife to split the dried stalk and then pop the pith off like you would dogbane. No crushing of the stalk needed. Once the fibers are removed from the pith and clearly dry, they store very well as a bundle or in a box. best of luck.
Oh and if you are like me you will take that first grab of stinging nettle while holding your breath. Then when the pain does not come you will be surprised and happy. Enjoy!
Lee Slikkers:
Super cool! I learn something new on here everyday.
I have always been leery of Nettles after I "found" a patch as a young kid. I had access to a lot of woods, fields, creeks to roam when I was young and would spend most everyday out roaming and just enjoying the things boys enjoy. One particular day, a VERY hot one, I was dang near naked in just a pair of cut off blue jean shorts...my younger brother and I were running hog wild through the creek bottoms and I started to wade through a fairly thick patch of "weeds" as I raced my brother. Long story short, that patch of weeds was Nettles and by the time the stinging/itching registered I was so deep into this thicket that there was no short way out. I was left itching and stinging over my entire bare belly, back, legs and arms...it made or than an impression and it became one of those FEARED plants during my childhood ;D
stickbender:
According to the green pharmacy, if you do get the sting, use something to crush the leaves, and use the juice on the sting. It is supposed to nullify the sting. ;) I have them in Montana, and there were some by my Workshop, and I didn't know what they were, but it didn't take long to find out. I mowed them down with the weed eater! ;D Didn't know they had any useful fiber. I know that in certain times of the year, they are edible. I weed eat them! ;D >:D
Wayne
stickbender:
When I was a little kid, my Friends and I used to make slings out of old leather shoe, and boot tongues. Don't know how accurate we were but as well as I can remember I think we could come pretty close to what we were throwing at, but our main goal was just distance, and how large of a rock we could fling out there. It was fun. I have been thinking about making some again. Got lots of room, and rock in Montana. ;) At the huckleberry festival in Trout Creek, Mt., I met a Japanese woman who was doing fingerweaving, and she said she would teach me how to finger weave. So I will have to look her up, and then see if I can make a woven sling. I also have to get another book on Macrame, and try to make one that way also.
Wayne
fishfinder401:
i tried making one of these a few years ago....... lets just say last year we finally replaced the largest window on our house >:D
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