Different slings for different flings — lol
I’ve got four — a webbed leather sling I rescued from the Salvation Army and rebuilt; an over-sized solid leather sling I got from Patrick (Madison Leathersmiths — some of the best made slings you’ll find — http://www.leatherslings.com/ ); a nylon webbed sling that came with my porta-sling stand (never use it — but the kit was less than the stand); and a solid canvas sling I made (which is easy to throw in the washing machine).
I also want to add a rubber (Kevlar re-enforced) sling to my collection.
Stirrups often come with a sling; they are easy to make, and there are also several styles — with a leather punch and a few other parts you can make them from two solid leather belts. And I often use bondage restraints rather than stirrups.
Here are some questions to help you figure out which sling might be right for you (or at least right for you to start with). And if think of more things to think about I’ll try and add them.
What’s your budget? Canvas is easy to make, and fairly inexpensive to buy… different material, styles, sizes, suppliers can greatly effect the cost.
Are you concerned with the visuals of the sling? Leather and rubber are HOT to look at; and webbed verses solid definitely change the aesthetics of the sling. Canvas can be dyed black (or any other color). Nylon always looks like synthetic.
How large a person is the sling intended to support? Leather is strong, but it will stretch and tear if you over-loaded it… so make sure you get a sling that will comfortably support the size/weight of the individuals likely to be in it.
How are you going to support the sling? If you use a porta-sling stand, over-sized slings don’t fit them well (they work — but not well); if you’re going to support it from beams in the ceiling you’ve got a great deal more latitude.
What activities are you going to do in the sling? Webbed slings can be uncomfortable for extended play — fine for up to a couple hours, but if you’re into bondage or it’s going to be a marathon play sessions without many break you’d definitely appreciate a solid sling over a webbed one. Leather doesn’t hold up well if it’s wet/damp for extended periods. Leather is harder to clean, and does require some maintenance (make sure you understand how to care for leather or it’s going to degrade).
Are you going to travel with the sling? An over-sized solid leather sling (or rubber one) is _much_ heavier than a webbed leather or canvas, and takes a great deal more room to pack.
Bottom line — buy what you can afford that you’ll like — slings are a great addition to a play space for fucking, fisting, bondage, piercing… the list goes on and on.
1hottop4sub.net/fetish/so-you-want-to-buy-a-sling/
