Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Tzuridis on March 22, 2013, 02:50:19 pm

Title: What plant is this and is it suitable for cordage/bow string?
Post by: Tzuridis on March 22, 2013, 02:50:19 pm

Is this flax? Or is it suitable for cordage?

I saw some guy make a neat bow string from flax. Or would be wiser for me to buy it? Where can I buy it other than the internet?

(http://i47.tinypic.com/2dj526p.jpg)

(http://i50.tinypic.com/2djcadw.jpg)

Thank you

Title: Re: What plant is this and is it suitable for cordage/bow string?
Post by: TacticalFate on March 22, 2013, 05:05:19 pm

Can't tell you what that is, but best way to check if a plant is decent for cordage is to break off a stem, see if it has any long fibers of any sort. If it does, twist it up and test its strength.

Title: Re: What plant is this and is it suitable for cordage/bow string?
Post by: Thesquirrelslinger on March 22, 2013, 05:26:42 pm

Friend, i believe that to be grass. Where are you located? If in the eastern US, it is probably a type of grass.
 Now if it is good for cordage... I will be cutting some myself this summer:D
I do not think it is flax.
Try some out, let us know!
-Squirrel
As for buying it, try knitting/cloth/craft shops- they often stock linen cloth, unbleached is harder to find. Unweave the cloth(Yes, I really do this. It is hard for me to buy stuff over internet) and untwist the threads, pull the fibers out. I do this with jute-burlap. Also with other cloths... but some fibers are hard to find in cloth.

Title: Re: What plant is this and is it suitable for cordage/bow string?
Post by: vyadha on March 23, 2013, 01:00:34 am

Working raw flax into a string is a lot of work. Most Linums that are used for linen have been cultivated. Wild flax (Linum) here in the states rarely grows higher than 3 feet and usually gets a blue flower at the tip.
The pic does not look like a Linum to me. Try it out and see!

Title: Re: What plant is this and is it suitable for cordage/bow string?
Post by: turtle on March 23, 2013, 08:44:16 am

Looks like broom sage. Not good for cordage.

Title: Re: What plant is this and is it suitable for cordage/bow string?
Post by: RidgeRunner on March 23, 2013, 09:20:00 am

I agree with Turtle.
Here in this part of Alabama we just call it Sage Grass.

David

Title: Re: What plant is this and is it suitable for cordage/bow string?
Post by: Pat B on March 23, 2013, 10:46:42 am

We call that broom sedge also or blue stem.