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Author Topic: Flax for backing, found good source  (Read 3432 times)

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Offline richpierce

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Flax for backing, found good source
« on: September 26, 2007, 02:29:37 pm »
I got some very high quality flax fibers for backing an ash bow from Susan Wallace.  She can be reached at yarns@bellsouth.net.  I think it was $3.50 a hank and a hank will surely do a long bow, though I bought 2 hanks just in case.  The fibers are clean, strong, and long.  I plan to make my bowstring from this stuff too.  She also sells linen threads of all diameters.  I don't know her from Eve, just wanted to pass on a good source for a quality product.
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Offline Lost Arra

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Re: Flax for backing, found good source
« Reply #1 on: September 27, 2007, 11:43:24 am »
Questions: is flax applied as a backing similar to sinew?  Hide glue?

If so, what advantages does flax have over sinew?

Is flax more like a linen or rawhide backing, protection only?
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Offline Pat B

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Re: Flax for backing, found good source
« Reply #2 on: September 27, 2007, 12:12:58 pm »
Linen is processed flax. Flax fibers are very strong and can overpower bellies like boo can. It doesn't stretch like sinew so it is more of a protective backing than a performance enhancer(I believe). You can probably put flax down with hide glue or any of the TB glues.   Pat
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Make the most of all that comes and the least of all that goes!    Pat Brennan  Brevard, NC

Offline richpierce

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Re: Flax for backing, found good source
« Reply #3 on: September 27, 2007, 05:17:04 pm »
yes, it's linen but not made into thread or cloth.
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Offline Prarie Bowyer

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Re: Flax for backing, found good source
« Reply #4 on: November 15, 2013, 01:40:30 pm »
Quote from: Pat B on September 27, 2007, 12:12:58 pm
Linen is processed flax. Flax fibers are very strong and can overpower bellies like boo can. It doesn't stretch like sinew so it is more of a protective backing than a performance enhancer(I believe). You can probably put flax down with hide glue or any of the TB glues.   Pat

is that to say that boo is a performance enhancer?
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Offline toomanyknots

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Re: Flax for backing, found good source
« Reply #5 on: November 15, 2013, 04:24:19 pm »
Quote from: Pat B on September 27, 2007, 12:12:58 pm
Linen is processed flax. Flax fibers are very strong and can overpower bellies like boo can. It doesn't stretch like sinew so it is more of a protective backing than a performance enhancer(I believe). You can probably put flax down with hide glue or any of the TB glues.   Pat

Yes, I'd be careful. I've chrysaled osage bellies with only linen cloth.
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"The way of heaven is like the bending of a bow-
 the upper part is pressed down,
 the lower part is raised up,
 the part that has too much is reduced,
 the part that has too little is increased."

- Tao Te Ching, 77, A new translation by Victor H. Mair

Offline PrimitiveTim

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Re: Flax for backing, found good source
« Reply #6 on: November 15, 2013, 04:31:12 pm »
How much would it take for a bow string?
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Florida to Kwajalein to Turkey and back in Florida again.  Good to be home but man was that an adventure!

Offline Prarie Bowyer

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Re: Flax for backing, found good source
« Reply #7 on: November 15, 2013, 04:49:48 pm »
I wonder if the bamboo fibers have the stretch and strength of the bamboo? 

I'm so close to buying some and trying it out in a replace sinew application.
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Offline Blaflair2

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Re: Flax for backing, found good source
« Reply #8 on: November 15, 2013, 06:19:35 pm »
Quote from: Prarie Bowyer on November 15, 2013, 04:49:48 pm
I wonder if the bamboo fibers have the stretch and strength of the bamboo? 


Bamboo fibers are bamboo  ;)
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Nothing ventured nothing gained

Offline dane lund

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Re: Flax for backing, found good source
« Reply #9 on: November 15, 2013, 06:35:09 pm »
Rich pierce,
The Rich Pierce on the ALR board ?
Dane Lund , aka Smallpatch.
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In His grip,
Smallpatch
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