Introducing... The Batapult! New Frame Design

I've been itching to make my own frame design. I think it's something everyone in Slingdom wants to do, and I've finally achieved the foundation of that design. There are several things about several different designs that I'm a huge fan of, but I wanted my own, unique to me. I spent months thinking about what that design would be. I looked back on frames that I enjoyed shooting, and I knew it would be a side shooter. I wanted a frame width from 85-95mm, ergonomic, and pocketable. I wanted an upturned hooked handle for hand support, and something comfortable in both brace and full pinch grip styles. I went through design after design and nothing really stuck. I went back to the drawing board more times than I can count, and finally on Saturday afternoon I had an epiphany. A bats wing. One of nature's most amazing creatures, their wings have been an object of fascination for centuries. These incredible limbs lend themselves perfectly to the handle of a slingshot. The scoops of the wings make perfect finger placements, and the end of the wing turns upwards to lock around the pinky for a secure grip. I immediately went to work with pencil and paper. I first made a 95mm wide design, but decided it was to large for the comfort of both grip styles, especially for those with smaller hands. I dropped the design back to 85mm, and the Batapult was born.
I cut the paper design out, and transferred it to a piece of 1/4'' HDPE. I held it, and immediately fell in love with how it locked into the hand. A secure, comfortable grip was exactly what I was looking for and I had it. Now, the real work began. I made 3 prototype frames from 3/4'' HDPE. One for myself and the other two for friends, both great shooters and slingshot addicts to test and give tips on design refinement and tweaks. After the edges were routed and the frames sanded to 320 grit, I put band grooves in my personal frame and shot it. The 2nd shot at 15 yards I was hitting my already cut can and finished it off.
Not to be presumptuous, but this is an excellent frame. I can't wait to get the final design tweaks complete and make it from another material.

Any suggestions are welcome and wanted, thanks for looking everyone!

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