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By CARMEN MOBLEY “Slingshots are a grown-up toy,”’ states A. H. Plyler, owner and operator of A. H. Plyler and Sons, manufacturers of the Falcon, one of the best crafted slingshots seen in a long time. Pointing out the popularity of slingshots among adults is the fact that a slingshot tournament was held last August in Conover, sponsored by Charlie’s Bait Shop, using rifle rules. ‘Sling shooters’’ from all over North and South Carolina and Virginia attended the all-day event and plans are to make it an annual affair. Remember when you used to go looking for just the right limb, to make your own sling shot? Well, he does just about the same thing except on a little more sophisticated level. He buys native ash from a local saw mill, then he has a manu facturer cut slings especially for him of gum rubber. For those who might sneer at the idea of making a living from slingshots, Plyler points out that sometimes he and the two high school boys that work for him make 50 to 75 dozen at one time. His idea of good business is to never let the buyer take a loss. “I always use the best quality in my work. I get my ideas from myself and by seeing ways to improve on my old ideas and other’s ideas,” Plyler says. “We sell wholesale. I may be in the shop for three days and out selling the others.” Most of his items are built for the distributor, selling mainly to sports and hardware stores. “Slingshots should not be in toy stores, children can easily get hurt with them,” he states. “Of course we do make a junior model which is smaller and the sling is made of two rubber bands.” About working for himself he says that he would rather work for himself than anyone else.” By being self-employed I can plan my work and if I get tired I take my dogs and go hunting. Aside from slingshots the com pany also makes boomerangs. These, too, are skillfully craft ed, this time of laminated ply wood. The process itself involves five pieces of plywood glued to gether on the cross grain. Other items include handsome gun racks and racks for fishing rods. A new item is a baseball rack which is made of hardwood with two curved indentions for base ball bats, plus places for storing balls and several pegs for mitts and gloves. This item would seem to be any mother’s dream for her little leaguer’s room. The industry has always been a family affair, with help for the manager provided by his daughter, Gloria. The only out side help involved is Mrs. Bill Scott, who stains the woods for him, and the two high school students, Andrew H. Plyler, Jr., who is now stationed with the service in Puerto Rico and just recently finished a 10-month tour of duty in Vietnam, is also a partner in the company. Prior to going into business for himself, Plyler was em ployed for a number of years by Peoples Bank (now North western Bank) and also worked as a salesman. So for anyone who thinks a little independence plus __in novation might be a hazardous combination, you just thought wrong. Slingshots have been around since David bopped the giant and from the looks of A. H. Plyler and Sons workshop, their popularity and monetary value are endless.
Newspaper Details
Statesville Record and Landmark
Statesville, North Carolina, US
Fri, Feb 23, 1968
Page 1
Full Page
Clipped by
Madeleine E.
USA 17 Jan 2026
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