Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: richpierce on September 26, 2007, 02:29:37 pm

Title: Flax for backing, found good source
Post by: richpierce 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.

Title: Re: Flax for backing, found good source
Post by: Lost Arra 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?

Title: Re: Flax for backing, found good source
Post by: 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

Title: Re: Flax for backing, found good source
Post by: richpierce on September 27, 2007, 05:17:04 pm

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

Title: Re: Flax for backing, found good source
Post by: Prarie Bowyer 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?

Title: Re: Flax for backing, found good source
Post by: toomanyknots 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.

Title: Re: Flax for backing, found good source
Post by: PrimitiveTim on November 15, 2013, 04:31:12 pm

How much would it take for a bow string?

Title: Re: Flax for backing, found good source
Post by: Prarie Bowyer 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.

Title: Re: Flax for backing, found good source
Post by: Blaflair2 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  ;)

Title: Re: Flax for backing, found good source
Post by: dane lund on November 15, 2013, 06:35:09 pm

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