Your rifle slings rarely get much attention but that will change dramatically if you fit one of these full crocodile-skin straps made in the Northern Territory by Mick’s Whips.
When he’s not making the whips he’s most famous for, Mick Denigan catches the crocs his slings are made from, and they are the real deal.
Mick is a licensed crocodile harvester who produces a range of croc-skin items, from knife pouches and belts to stuffed heads and whole skins.
His slings are made from either the belly skin or, like this one, the horn back.
The main differences between the two are that the horn back is more striking in appearance, while the belly skin is more supple.
Both types are available in black, dark brown or light brown, though naturally there’s some variation in shades and textures depending the individual skin.
A layer of buffalo leather is stitched to the inside to rest on your shoulder and add strength. The stitching looks close and very strong.
The top is quite broad at about 7.5cm (3”) wide, comfortably spreading the load of a heavy hunting rifle, and it tapers to fit into sling swivels at the ends.
Mick supplies two Chicago screws (brass threaded rivets) to fasten the ends, but you have to source your own swivels. The bottom end of the sling can be fastened in a number of different positions to alter its length.
The horn back sling at first is very stiff, and the horns themselves won’t get much softer but after a short time and some use you can feel the sling becoming more pliant so it hugs your shoulder better.
The buff hide underneath is polished rather than suede so is a little slippery but, again, that improves over time, though it’ll never grip your shirt like a rubberised sling might. Small price to pay for something so authentic.
In a world of matte finishes, polymer stocks and camo clothing made of recycled plastic bottles, it’s refreshing to find something as unique, Australian and (to misuse a word in an appropriate way) analogue as a rifle sling made of crocodile skin. And made sustainably.
Mick’s Whips sells them for $220 each, which is a very good price beside anything comparable, not that there are many options. Even African-made croc-skin slings appear to cost significantly more, before you add freight. I haven’t found any others made in Australia, either (please correct me if I’m wrong).
The quality certainly suits the price. The tanning, the construction and the finish all appear first class.
Treated well, the sling will last a long, long time, so like most quality products that cost a lot up front, it will gradually repay itself.
Mick’s Whips slings, and a host of other croc-skin products, are available on his website.
While you’re here, you have to see Mick setting the world whip-cracking record in 2023: 127 cracks in 10 seconds! It’s awesome:
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