[Tombo]

My good buddy saw the two slingshots I've made myself, and reached out to see if I could make one for him. He and his wife have had it tough with the pandemic, and so there's really not much compensation involved, moreso an opportunity to share the stoked with a friend who has recently come into the sport! He had played with slingshots as a kid, and recently bought a daisy for when he is camping, and researched about it online and did a paracord mod to the handle, and is having fun. He doesn't have much free flowing funds, and so he hasn't had the opportunity to really try anything else. All he knew was that he can't fully draw the daisy bands - so lighter bands needed; he definitely wanted a lanyard hole, he wanted to shoot OTT, and he already has and prefers to shoot the 3/8" clay. The rest he left up to me. Since I've already been asked by a few friends what to get, I already have a stock answer: the scout lt. And as such, that was the strong influence at work on this creation. This is not a carbon copy in any regard or measure, but I still feel it would be wrong to deny this is very much so my take on the scout LT.

What's your guys take on all this? There's only one patented slingshot that I know of, and a ton of custom makers who seem to primarily make slingshots that are either a lot like an SS, or a PP, or the occasional wasp. I see even on here people selling stuff that are even clearer representations of known products than what I have posted, but claiming them to be their own design? Personally, I need to at the very least, pay homage to my influences - or in this case, give all the design credit to nathan masters and SS, give myself a nod for any deliberate customization, and chock the rest of the difference up to my execution. What would you do? What if I had more demand to make more slingshots like this, what would be the right thing? I've reached out to SS to see if I can have permission, because I'd rather ask permission than beg forgiveness.

Can't wait for my buddy to get his hands on it, I just know he will love it, and though I'm sharing the stoked, truly, he'll be sharing his new stoke with me.

 

[BushpotChef]

Wow man you're a heck of a buddy for a guy to have that's an awesome gift and an amazing first slingshot, your pal should be stoked!

Sent from my LM-X210APM using Tapatalk

 

[Stankard757]

Great job on those slings!

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[Reed Lukens]

A nice hand made LT that will be perfectly balanced. Very nice

 

[hoggy]

man, that's some very nice work.

 

[Pebble Shooter]

First of all, I think it's great that you're making a slingshot for your friend for him to get involved in our fun sport, which will most certainly put a big smile on his face in these rather turbulent and depressing times.

As to the patent and copyright issues involving a very popular slingshot design sold by "SimpleShot", the key question in my view is whether you will just be making a few "Scout" design-based slingshots for a few friends and maybe your family, or whether you intend to start selling these in larger numbers on the open market.

Selling slingshots based on a patent covered design is where you would indeed need the approval of Nathan Masters himself, assuming that his patent coverage is still legally valid: patents also need to be renewed at some stage. He could legally ask you to pay a royalty fee on your sales profits based on his design.

That said, judging by the truly beautiful workmanship displayed by your photos above, you might be better off making slingshots based on templates not subjected to patent or copyright issues, and if possible, creating your own designs from scratch - which is what I did right from the start, mainly because I prefer to get away from the beaten track and to implement new ideas. A classic compass, ruler, and a pencil, or Adobe Photoshop Elements to draw shapes are all that is needed to create new slingshot templates.

Also check out the "templates" section of this forum for some stunning designs.

My 2 cents worth...

 

[AUSSIE4]

Some nice looking slingshots there mate!

 

[Tombo]

^^^that's some excellent and thoughtful advice right there, thanks a grip pebble. I have checked out the template section, and did actually print out the Patriot design by bill hayes with intention to give it a try, maybe that will be my next move to get away from these SS designs. And I appreciate your complements on my craftsmanship - it is my job to build, albeit, mostly with metal - but my hobbyist knife making lends a lot of skills and tools to this new hobby. Designing And drawing are not my strong suit, but you are totally right, making my own designs will be the best move I can make. It will be a challenge, but at that point I will have no misgivings or other parties to worry about when I'm promoting and marketing my work.

For the record, I am a custom maker, and most of my commissions are knives - but I also make some hand forged items like bottle openers and jewelry bowls, etc. - it's exciting to me to expand capabilities and would be product line further.

 

[devils son in law]

Very nice!! The slingshot crowd is pretty easy going and I doubt anyone would be upset over a homemade build that mimics their design but it's always good to ask or give credit where it's due!

 

[Tag]

If I was a betting man, Id say you can craft an original design that will be great. I think it’s awesome that you helped a friend out. I also admire you for considering others before copying their designs. Looking forward to seeing your designs

 

[Slide-Easy]

Wow, nice work.

 

[Tombo]

Update: I did reach out to nathan masters from SS yesterday, and he got back to me. Please do not quote me on this, as I am paraphrasing - and if you find yourself here based on a search with a similar inquiry as mine, I works recommend reaching out to the simple shot team to get this straight from them.... But He essentially told me he appreciated that I was wanting to give credit where it was due when one of my builds is inspired by SS design, but his only hard stipulation seemed to be that I don't attempt to use their trade names to market my builds. So I shouldn't call this a scout LT, but I should say that it's form was INSPIRED by the scout lt by simple shot. Very reasonable, and I honestly feel humbled and grateful that not only would Nathan be excited by my inspired builds, but that he would take the time to thoughtfully respond to my inquiry.

Cheers to simple shot for continuing to encourage the growth and evolution of the slingshot community, I tell very justified in investing in their success, and I love their products.

Thanks again for all the support guys, I'm blushing

 

[Tag]

Nathan is awesome

 

[Tombo]

I've had some people reach out who wanted one of these handmade slingshots - 3 of these are spoken for, but the other three are available. DM me (only) if interested, do not post here saying you are interested. First come first served.

This is a limited run and unfortunately I have too many knife clients at this time to dive in deep - but I intend to do a few small runs as we approach the holidays, and if anyone wants to commission something custom or otherwise, please DM, and I can try to get you in before Xmas.