Primitive flax string

[Stringman]

Ok now that I have this phone a little better figured out, I'm gonna try Posting some pics. I know everyone has a different string making technique, so this is by no means the end all of the discussion. In fact I don't mind if you want to post your ideas here as well. When I first got involved with PA I called myself stringman cause that's why I did a lot of. Here's little of what I learned.



The crushing block is a jig I made to helP me get the chaff out of the fibers. After crushing the stalks I run the bundle over a lag bolt in the wall.




After I have several bundles of "processed" fibers I will start making string. The stuff that gets pulled from the bundles makes great tinder bundles, so don't throw it away!



I lay 2 bundle on my leg and start the reverse twist making sure that the loop will have plenty of thickness as this is a high friction area.

When the string starts to get a little thin just add a little more fiber. I prefer to add small amounts of fiber often as opposed to adding larger bundles less often. It keeps the string feeling more consistent.


Don't worry about the little tag ends, they can be cleaned up later.

[Stringman]

This string came in just over 200 grains and it was only 40 gens heavier than the Dacron string it replaced.
It should be prestretched before tying it to a bow, and I recommend a bowyer's knot on the bottom.

[JW_Halverson]

Awesome!  Being into Colonial History re-enacting, I am always interested in seeing someone working with flax. 

Did you rett the flax stems first?  If so, does it stink as much as I have heard?

p.s. I'll take all the tow you can send!  This new flintlock .62 will love the stuff for wadding and cleaning!

[iowabow]

Scott and I have talked a lot over the last 4 weeks about bow srings. This is got to be the fastest and simplest way to make one. Scott's method is the kiss bow string. I've spent the last 2 days playing with his idea and adding a couple more steps and it exponentially increases the time. Great post scott! If I ever finish mine I will post it and state time for comparison

[Stringman]

This tring took me about 45 min to make.

[Trapper Rob]

Do they stretch & did you ever have one break friend of mine made one of sinew got about 300 shots then it broke.
Rob

[Stringman]

Very little stretch to a flax string, less than Dacron.  It will break cause it's just Plant fiber, but that's ok with me.  Long as ya know what it is and not expect something different ur fine.

[Scowler]

That is too cool!

[BowEd]

Nice step by step job and estimation of your weight on that string.Your pictures are very good.You had'nt waxed it yet though when you weighed it correct?You did'nt do any type of breaking test then.I've gotten some 7ply irish linen from a company that I'm going to break test for a string.If it'll break at the low thirtys I figure to use nine strands in a three ply.

[JEB]

OK, under there is no such thing as a dumb question catagory. What is flax and isn't flax fibers also used to back self bows?

[Stringman]

@ beadman - actually I did wax it before weighing it. I'm sure the wax didn't add much, maybe a grn or two, but the final weight was 207. I did not break test this piece but experience has taught me that I can hang by a cord of this caliber and therefore it aught to do the job on a 50-55# bow. Nothing very scientific about my method, but it has worked for me.

@ JEB - flax is the grass like stalk that is used to make linen. You can grow it yourself if you can find seed. When flax is processed into the fiber bundles you have a product that is extremely strong. Some use it to back bows, and some make threads and strings.

Scott

[BowEd]

I see.The string does look nice and even.By the way is that your new yew bow you just finished you got that string on?

[Stringman]

Nope that's "ole ugly."

[Josh B]

Thank you Scott!  I will be implementing this method from now on.  I have always dreaded making natural fiber strings because of the arduous and painstaking method of processing the fiber that I used.  I haven't even tried this, but I already know its way better.  Thanks again!  Josh

[JEB]

where do you find the flax plant?  does it grow in certain areas?