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Author Topic: Raffia bow string  (Read 2779 times)

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Offline JoJoDapyro

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Raffia bow string
« on: November 02, 2014, 10:22:13 pm »
Has anyone here made a bow string from raffia? It seems strong, but I can't find any info on breaking strength.
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Offline lenador

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Re: Raffia bow string
« Reply #1 on: November 02, 2014, 10:27:19 pm »
Can you find the working capacity?
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Offline JoJoDapyro

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Re: Raffia bow string
« Reply #2 on: November 02, 2014, 10:49:31 pm »
I could if I knew how.
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If you always do what you always did you'll always get what you always got.
27 inch draw, right handed. Bow building and Knapping.

Offline JoJoDapyro

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Re: Raffia bow string
« Reply #3 on: November 03, 2014, 03:07:15 pm »
I don't know if I can find the working limit of it unless I twist one up. I made a 5 foot section last night while sitting watching TV. I guess I can try it and find out. If anyone has tried please let me know what the results were.
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If you always do what you always did you'll always get what you always got.
27 inch draw, right handed. Bow building and Knapping.

Offline Marc St Louis

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Re: Raffia bow string
« Reply #4 on: November 03, 2014, 04:00:27 pm »
I believe Raffia is also called Chines Grass and it is extremely strong.  There was discussion on it over at PP in the Flight Shooting forum a few years ago.  I think Alan Case made a string out of some and he found that it was at least as strong as linen but did not like being bent at a sharp angle
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Offline JoJoDapyro

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Re: Raffia bow string
« Reply #5 on: November 03, 2014, 04:04:30 pm »
I have nothing but time. I'll twist one up tonight and see how it goes.
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If you always do what you always did you'll always get what you always got.
27 inch draw, right handed. Bow building and Knapping.

Offline PatM

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Re: Raffia bow string
« Reply #6 on: November 03, 2014, 04:05:38 pm »
You're thinking of Ramie, Marc.
 Raffia is a fiber from a palm leaf and likely similar to Manila.
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Offline JoJoDapyro

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Re: Raffia bow string
« Reply #7 on: November 03, 2014, 05:04:16 pm »
I buy it for my birds. I have parakeets and they destroy everything. So I have been twisting up ropes for them to destroy for years. Just dawned on me last night that it may be usable as a bow string material.
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If you always do what you always did you'll always get what you always got.
27 inch draw, right handed. Bow building and Knapping.

Offline Springbuck

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Re: Raffia bow string
« Reply #8 on: November 03, 2014, 05:09:57 pm »
  Similar stuff (palm leaf fiber) is used for bowstrings in some places in the Amazon.  From TBB, it is not nearly as strong as hemp or flax, but usable if thick and carefully made.
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Offline JoJoDapyro

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Re: Raffia bow string
« Reply #9 on: November 03, 2014, 10:23:32 pm »
I made a quick one earlier. Did a flemish on it, with a loop and about 4 feet of string. Only used 2 total strands (No splices). Took and put a metal rod through the loop and stood on the rod. It broke quite easily, so I grabbed it again and it broke again just as easily. I don't think it has the strength. I know I am tough and all  ::), but I did not put 120 pounds into it.
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If you always do what you always did you'll always get what you always got.
27 inch draw, right handed. Bow building and Knapping.
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