Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Tuomo on October 14, 2016, 07:40:05 am

Title: Hemp fibers, full length
Post by: Tuomo on October 14, 2016, 07:40:05 am

I would like to have some full length hemp fiber for bow strings. I have very good linen threads for bow strings but I would like to try hemp too. There is no good hemp threads or yarns. So, do you know, where I could get or buy some good full length (over two meters) hemp fibers? Google offers nothing. Plumber's hemp has too short fibers. There has to be somewhere good hemp fibers! 

Title: Re: Hemp fibers, full length
Post by: paco664 on October 14, 2016, 01:53:57 pm

hemptraders.com/Hemp-Fiber-s/1828.htm

Title: Re: Hemp fibers, full length
Post by: loon on October 14, 2016, 04:34:13 pm

3 to 36 inches?.. would like longer.
Apparently 6' fibers are possible?

Title: Re: Hemp fibers, full length
Post by: Stick Bender on October 14, 2016, 07:30:21 pm

I have had a order of retted hemp rope on back order for 6 months from one of the spinning shops I deal with, they get there retted hemp from  E Europe  and they claim there has been a drought there so they haven't got a container in a while.

Title: Re: Hemp fibers, full length
Post by: mikekeswick on October 15, 2016, 04:36:43 am

Yup it has been dry here. Too dry, we are still waiting for the salmon to turn up....

Title: Re: Hemp fibers, full length
Post by: Tuomo on October 17, 2016, 04:35:03 am

Is full length fibers some kind of speciality, which is not possible in industrial fiber production? Or why full length hemp fibers are not available?

Title: Re: Hemp fibers, full length
Post by: Pappy on October 17, 2016, 06:25:56 am

Just bought 2 rolls from Wally world yesterday, they have it in 3 different diameters. Not sure how good it is but it seems to be very tough, I make lanyards out of it all the time and holds up very good.  :)
 Pappy

Title: Re: Hemp fibers, full length
Post by: Orrum on October 17, 2016, 11:12:20 am

Hey I have horses. Hay baler twine is hemp! Hope that helps.

Title: Re: Hemp fibers, full length
Post by: PatM on October 17, 2016, 11:40:02 am

Sisal in most areas. "Hemp" is a bit of a catch-all phrase when it comes to natural fiber.

Title: Re: Hemp fibers, full length
Post by: Orrum on October 17, 2016, 08:17:48 pm

Oops sorry but hey I learned something!!!

Title: Re: Hemp fibers, full length
Post by: willie on October 18, 2016, 12:37:59 am

Tuomo

I read somewhere that flax grown for fiber only, is harvested when the blossoms drop. Perhaps hemp, if similar, is grown primarily for something else, and the fiber is a by-product? Maybe if growing for fiber is the intent, hemp is not a first choice.

Title: Re: Hemp fibers, full length
Post by: loon on October 18, 2016, 02:44:49 am

Also, I read somewhere that a certain gender of the hemp plant is better, etc etc.. I think something about how to treat the fibers... also mentioned silk strings.

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https://www.archerylibrary.com/books/gallice/docs/chapter04-1.html
Interesting that they think its springiness is good... ...

Title: Re: Hemp fibers, full length
Post by: sleek on October 18, 2016, 03:37:10 am

I made plenty of bow strings with hemp from walmart, with half the number of hemp strands artificial sinew strands. So a  string with 6 strands of hemp got 3 of the artificial sinew. They lasted about 500 shots a piece. If I served them they didnt last very long and always broke at the serving. The aerving would pull the fibers apart at the nock point. Reverse twist was how I made them.