Main Discussion Area > HowTo's and Build-a-longs
Plant String Build Along
swamp monkey:
Making a loop after you have made a cord:
Making good and strong plant fiber bowstrings that are simply two plys takes skill. Too much bark left on or thin sections will make a string weak. An option for the beginner is to take cord you have already made and double it over and reverse twist that into a bow string.
Plant strings whether they are single ply or double ply, in my estimation are thicker than normal modern arrow nocks. I think that helps explain Native American y nocks or other nock variations that allow for a thicker string.
This method will more than double the original cords test poundage. Even though you are doubling the cord over, Reverse twisting helps more than double your strength because you are not only over coming the tensile strength of the fibers you also have to over come the friction of reverse twisting to break the string. However, because you are reverse twisting again you will loose roughly a third of the length in your final product. What I mean is a 20 feet long cord doubled over and reverse twisted will not yield a 10 feet long cord end product. It will be more like 7.5 feet. Always consider the length cord you need, then double that number and multiply by 1.33. This will give you plenty.
If you come up short like I did on the last picture. Simply untie the knot for your original cords and splice in some new segments until they are long enough. You may have to unravel a few inches do do this.
swamp monkey:
Splices:
Splicing is where the sweet stuff happens. If you do it well you get a good looking strong string. Do it poorly and well, you get it.
First, remember those small short fibers you saved? This is where you use them. When making your cord you may see a thin spot or notice one fiber bundle is thinner than the other. Keep your fiber bundles equal by splicing in fibers as needed.
Next, as you progress along the cord, the fiber bundle you are working with will eventually end and you need to splice a new fiber bundle in. The trick to splicing is to make sure the two fiber bundles do not splice at the same place. This is the same reason bricks are offset on each successive row. Strength!
Consider thickness and you might even need to taper the ends by trimming so the splice is smooth and undetectable. save these scraps too they make great fire starting "tow".
I will get a picture of that and the elbow splice to post later. Then I will demonstrate how to clean up a fuzzy plant string. Give me a few days. Life gets busy!
swamp monkey:
--- Quote from: Pappy on March 14, 2012, 10:39:42 am ---Thanks Swamp,I needed the picture of dogbane,I have done the cordage but it was always gave to me after cut,To lazy to look it up. :)
Pappy
--- End quote ---
. Glad to be of service. If y'all have questions holler. Exchanging ideas is part of what this site is all about,
HoBow:
Nice Build along!
Gus:
Yes Sir swamp monkey!
Very Cool Build Along!
Been wanting to give this a go.
Thank You!
-gus
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