Thanks for the replies guys, appreciate the info and warm welcome.
Keef,
Yeah the nettle cordage was a nice little experiment, didn't go too badly but like Squirrelslinger said, it's like a rope, and I'm not risking using that, plus I don't want to have to make nocks on my arrows that big
Thesquirrelslinger,
Thanks for the advice there, will definitely look around the second hand/charity shops around my area and see what cheap clothing I can pick up, already on the lookout for leathers to use for handles and the likes. As for Jute twine, no idea about that, guessing it's an American thing (or maybe I just live under a rock?) Is there anyway I can test out the strength of a string without putting it on a bow and risking loosing my face/bow? What would be the best way to simulate the stress from drawing? Simply suspending a similar #age weight from it?
Lemos
Thanks, I can already see you're right on the money there.
WillS,
Thanks for the advice on the string, will definitely not be trying anything that I'm not 100% comfortable with then, in terms of the ash stuff, thanks a heap for the information, great help and I'm starting to get in touch with local surgeons and the like to see what I can drum up.
MrHare,
Thanks for the tips on ash aswell, like I said looking into it now, will be joining up on BCUK as well and seeing what I can find there, thanks. I also have a small sort of petting zoo farm, well actually 2, not far from me, both have geese and I'm going to get in touch with them about getting some feathers for free, should do the trick.
crooketarrow,
What I think hatcha means is more the fence posts you can buy in local DYI stores here, which are soft wood and tend to disintegrate rather fast, pretty useless to be honest, but thanks for the input, I have a few farms nearby, going to try and get in touch with them as well anyways.
Parnell,
That's actually on my list, I know a place next to some farmland, in the middle of a recently planted park forest, that has a few little streams running, where I used to collect up flint for skimming on the pond, so that's going to be my next stop, as soon as it stops raining... stupid British weather ruins everything really.
In other news, I think I might of just hit a gold mine, was looking around for local surgeons and the likes, and came across a guy who wanted some trees felling, thought I would contact and see what was going on. After a couple of emails back and forth, he tells me that there are 10 large trees on the land he just bought, he wants them gone, completely, and had a quote from a professional who must of asked for a rather large amount, as he has just posted online for people to come and cut what they want. Asked if he has any idea what type of trees they are and told me that the surgeon quoted him for 6 hardwood and 4 softwood trees, but he has no idea what they actually are, this seems rather promising to me, and I just need to try and find some transport now, as unfortunately I don't drive, nor do I have a large enough vehicle to transport 6 large hardwood trees hehe.
I also just realized, as I came in the house, that about 10ft from my front door. Is an Ash tree. Although I don't have the permission, nor the reckless disregard, to cut from such a young tree, as I'm sure it wouldn't survive it, but still, got to appreciate the irony.
