is that stinging nettle? it looks really similar to my "Burlap Sack" jute strings looks heavy with that diameter, but ive been mistaken before. is it similar to dogbane? you have me interested, and theres a huge patch of nettles practically in my back yard...
Yes it is stinging nettle, I believe it is the wood nettle type. Could be wrong though. It does look huge, and it is probably over built, but it worked for the 50# bow I used it with. And it is air light when comparing it to a b50 string meant for a 50# bow. A linen string is always alot lighter too. I didn't wax the string at all though, as I typically wax the strands but I was afraid I would break the threads I spun... I am not the best at spinning thread, I will tell you that!
I like fast flight and also b50 if like Eric said they are made right with very little twist,both will do a good job, [ SO that is why on earth I use it.] That's like asking me why I am making a bow for Hickory or Persimion when I have plenty of Osage and Yew, cause I want to is the main reason. Enough said.
Pappy
lol,
I always thought when people twisted their flemish strings only slightly, it was because they didn't wanna reverse twist em all together because of the time it takes, not for performance. If that was the case, why not just use one bundle and only twist slightly and wax? Well I guess next time I make a b50 string, i'll just make one bundle, slightly twisted.
Toomany, has a point. Don't go unloading on the man. This is supposed to be a primitive archery forum. Frankly, I always felt a little "guilty" about using a synthetic string on one of my selfies. That's just me and him apparently and may be a few others. Linen is natural. It's natural to use on a wooden bow. I try to keep my bows simple. I don't even use overlays because the ancients didn't use them. I just haven't been able to make the switch to any other string material than B 50. Last year I decided to try FF for at least the initial stringing and tillering. Now, I've never had a nock split while stinging a bow. Never happened in 24 years of making bows. I mean never. Guess what. Darn FF split my nock on my red oak log stave bow. I am being dramatic because someone is sure to say, "Well, Jawge, you know you had a weak spot there and the nock was gong to split anyway. It's not the string's fault." I fixed it with an overlay. So much for my foray into 20th Century bow making. Time to take another step back in time where I belong. Jawge
True, true. Honestly though, I really don't have a problem using anything high tech, or anything at all for that matter, as long as it works. Linen works great, and I guess I just like it. Although, the fact it is traditional does kinda satisfy something inside me, truthfully. (Ok, I admit, it makes my bows feel more traditional, and I like that.
But I ain't gonna nock anything for being high tech either.) It really looks sharp on a longbow, or even a warbow. Yes, I said warbow.
I make it in 3 ply anymore, and the strings are round and comfortable to shoot by hand without whipping or a tab/glove. I've had problems with hitch knots wearing down and breaking with 2 plys, so I always use 2 loops with 2 ply, but 3 plys seem to be more round and compact, and work just fine with hitch knots. If I couldn't get linen, I would probably use d97.