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War bow string theory

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Yewboy:
Ok, i got a chance to really have a good look at this bent bow Yesterday, and I must admit that on close inspection that the bow looks like it was braced when the ship went down as the shape is as Rod says...Very symetrical, I also placed a string next along it and it does show a 6" brace height, So on this occassion I concede to Bow-Toxo's suggestion that it more than likely was braced, So apologies from me Bow-Toxo.
I will post some pictures of the bow being examined once I have captured a few stills from the video footage that I was shooting whilst I was there.

bow-toxo:

--- Quote from: Yewboy on July 02, 2009, 09:01:28 am ---Ok, i got a chance to really have a good look at this bent bow Yesterday, and I must admit that on close inspection that the bow looks like it was braced when the ship went down as the shape is as Rod says...Very symetrical, I also placed a string next along it and it does show a 6" brace height, So on this occassion I concede to Bow-Toxo's suggestion that it more than likely was braced, So apologies from me Bow-Toxo.
I will post some pictures of the bow being examined once I have captured a few stills from the video footage that I was shooting whilst I was there.

--- End quote ---

  I accept my first offered apology on behalf of myself and Mr. Hardy with grateful appreciation for a man willing to admit an error. I plan to make my first visitto the MR exhibit in September and would appreciate any advice or suggestions to make the most of a once in a lifetime trip. BTW, If anyone is still wondering about Viking arrows, I suggest checking out my article on Viking archery in the current June/July issue of 'Primitive Archer' magazine.

bow-toxo:

--- Quote from: Rod on May 19, 2009, 08:58:28 am ---
--- Quote from: staveshaver on April 27, 2009, 01:31:50 pm --- I have read that at the slightest hint of rain, English warbowmen would unbrace their bows and call it a day
--- End quote ---

That's news to me, despite the account of men  keeping their strings under their hats at Crecy.
There are accounts enough of fights in inclement weather.
What about Towton, for example?

If the string was an unwaxed spare, I might put it under my hat rather than subject it to a soaking, not for fear of it breaking, but not wishing the relaxed string to take on too much moisture.

Having said that it is likely that a well waxed string, twisted and taut under bracing tension, would be far less prone to absorbing moisture.

With a linen string what I do not want are short fibres and dryness.
Our linen industry in it's heyday was based in Lancashire and N.Ireland just because a damper climate was necessary for the machine production of linen thread, it being more too prone to breakage when spun in dry conditions.

Rod.


--- End quote ---
   
  Further on Smythe's comment about the strings coated with "waterglewe", I just found a reference to a thin solution of hoof glue being used to stiffen bowstrings. Hoof glue, unlike hide glue, is flexible and not waterproof. That would be a reason to keep a bowstring dry.

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