Flax for backing, found good source

[richpierce]

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.

[Lost Arra]

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?

[Pat B]

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

[richpierce]

yes, it's linen but not made into thread or cloth.

[Prarie Bowyer]

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?

[toomanyknots]

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.

[PrimitiveTim]

How much would it take for a bow string?

[Prarie Bowyer]

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.

[Blaflair2]

I wonder if the bamboo fibers have the stretch and strength of the bamboo? 

Bamboo fibers are bamboo 

[dane lund]

Rich pierce,
The Rich Pierce on the ALR board ?
Dane Lund , aka Smallpatch.