FireStryker Living History Forum : Long fiber hemp or linen?

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Topic: Long fiber hemp or linen?

Strongbow
Member
Member # 461

posted 02-23-2004 04:50 PM

I'd like to make a good period bowstring for my new Yew bow (on the way finally!). However, I have had a tough time finding hemp or linene fiber of decent length to make a safe bowstring. Jat St. Charles said he could provide one if I wish, but said he considered them "cosmetic" and not really safe for actual shooting since the fibers are so short, the life of the string is too unpredictable. A local primitive bowyer told me the same thing: he won't make linen or hemp bowstrings except for cosmetic purposes. He said the individual strands should be 10 lb test for a 50 lb bow (assuming a 20 strand string), and the best he has sfound is about 5 lb test. I guess I could make the string HUGE, but that would seem to defeat the purpose of using hemp/linen in the first place: correct look.

I picked up a light-tan Dacron string for safety. It looks the part pretty well, especially when it's waxed with period archers wax and, more importantly, I'll feel safe using it.

Still, I'd really like to use the "real thing" if I can. Anyone know of good sources for long fiber linen or hemp that's safe for use in a bowstring?

Registered: Apr 2003 | IP: Logged

Friedrich
Member
Member # 40

posted 02-23-2004 05:11 PM

Jay made my last batch. Actually, he still owes me a string come to think of it.

I've also gotten them from the UK. http://www.archery-centre.co.uk/
Select bowstrings from the menu.

For practice, I had my local archery shop make me a practice string of Dacron out of a darker brown string so I don't have to worry about snapping fibres during practice.

[ 02-23-2004: Message edited by: Friedrich ]

Registered: Jul 2000 | IP: Logged

Strongbow
Member
Member # 461

posted 02-23-2004 09:42 PM

Jay was the first to suggest to me that he was dissatisfied with the quality of the fibers in the strings. He gave me a choice between the three but recommended the brownish dacron as being safe with a period look. I followed up after that and got the same story for the other local primitive bowyer. I'll use the Dacron for now (safety), but I sure would like a more period string, even if just to have in the pouch for demonstrations.

What's the policy of most LH groups? I'd like to be "correct", but not at the risk of having a string snap.

Thanks for the links, I'll check 'em out.

I can't wait to get my new bow... just in time for Spring!

Strongbow

Registered: Apr 2003 | IP: Logged

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