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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: Longcruise on April 15, 2021, 03:19:35 PM

Title: Linen Bow String??
Post by: Longcruise on April 15, 2021, 03:19:35 PM

Probably have too much time on my hands with all this cold weather, but....

I was working on a leather project and I have about 20 yards of waxed linen thread left on a spool and I'm wondering if anyone here has ever made a bowstring from linen thread?  It might be fun to try but I don't know how many strands should be used etc.

The thread is about .023 in diameter.  Any suggestions or thoughts on this?

Title: Re: Linen Bow String??
Post by: Flem on April 16, 2021, 12:03:04 AM

Tim Baker talks about linen thread strings in one of the first two Bowyer's Bibles.

Title: Re: Linen Bow String??
Post by: Longcruise on April 16, 2021, 04:31:45 AM

That was a good link.  I ordered a pound from Pyro supply.   It  can  always be used in leather projects.  Bow strings won't be a major use.  Just a distraction for variety.

Title: Re: Linen Bow String??
Post by: Stagmitis on April 17, 2021, 09:44:08 AM

I have made several linen strings and still a large spool of the material.. Its lighter and faster than b-50 and almost as fast as the HPerf.. stuff. 

Title: Re: Linen Bow String??
Post by: Flem on April 17, 2021, 10:23:20 AM

Pyro supply!! Thats an odd place to source linen string. How did you come upon them?

Title: Re: Linen Bow String??
Post by: Longcruise on April 17, 2021, 10:30:30 AM

There was a link in a previous post the PA site where Marc St Louis referenced the Pyro supplies as a source.   I have no idea what fireworks makers use it for but they sell a variety of it. 

I'll play with it a bit.  Doubt if it will replace B50 in my box but never say never, eh?

Title: Re: Linen Bow String??
Post by: rainman on April 17, 2021, 11:02:54 AM

Good linen can be as strong as 50lbd s strand, and it doesn't stretch.  But good linen string is hard to find anymore.  Pyro supply is probably best.

Title: Re: Linen Bow String??
Post by: Flem on April 17, 2021, 11:22:08 AM

Quote from: Longcruise on April 17, 2021, 10:30:30 AM

There was a link in a previous post the PA site where Marc St Louis referenced the Pyro supplies as a source.   I have no idea what fireworks makers use it for but they sell a variety of it. 

I'll play with it a bit.  Doubt if it will replace B50 in my box but never say never, eh?

Its used for making shells/casings for certain types of fireworks.

I'm always amazed you can still buy "pyrotechnics" after 9/11. Hell you could still buy ammonium nitrate after Oklahoma City!!! Anybody with a credit card or PayPal can buy the supplies to make some serious "Fireworks"

Title: Re: Linen Bow String??
Post by: rainman on April 17, 2021, 11:59:28 AM

You can also try Campbell and Randell leather manufacturing.   It is Hungarian made string.

Title: Re: Linen Bow String??
Post by: onetone on April 17, 2021, 01:35:55 PM

I have used linen thread to make a string for a steel prod on a crossbow. It worked fine and linen used to be the material used for all crossbows - back in the era when the bowman used a windlass to cock the bow because the draw weight was so great. Linen was also used on the heavy weight English long bows. Important to keep it dry though and wax (or tallow) was used to that end in the days of yore. I agree linen bow strings don’t stretch.