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Nettle fiber bow string ??
CuchilloOro:
You can extract fibres from nettles that are similar to linen, but it is a more complicated and labour intensive process.
The fibers you get can be spun on a hand drill to a very nice thread.
It need st be harvested at the right time, retted, dried, beaten and combed.
seminolewind:
I have made string out of nettle before but it was hard for me to get the fiber to separate from the woody outer shell of the plant. When I was done I doubt it would have made a good bow string because of its tendency to fray. I did have good luck with yucca on the other hand, if you have access to it I bet you would find it makes a far superior string. I made a 4 ply bow string with it and it lasted as long as the bow did.
Just my humble opinion keep us posted how the nettle works out !
swamp monkey:
--- Quote from: Joec123able on August 11, 2013, 10:50:12 pm ---
Why is harvesting It after a frost better ?
--- End quote ---
First, the leaves wilt back due to the frost. Formic acid (the stuff that causes the stinging) is not nearly so potent at this point. Second, the stalks loose a bit of their water and the fibers tend not to be so juicy straight away. It takes less time for the stalks to dry.
In my experience nettle is a strong fiber but the string needs to be wider than our modern fast flight strings. This is part of the reason Native American Indian arrow nocks were wider and flared.
Here is a link to a build along that may prove useful.
http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,31455.0.html
Happy building!
Joec123able:
Thanks every one and thanks swamp monkey really appreciate the link that will help a lot
madcrow:
Thanks swamp monkey, I have been too busy to reply. Hopefully the vacant lot beside my house will go uncut this year. It appears to have (roughly guessing) around 5000 dogbane stalks growing, and even more across the road. I do love working with that stuff.
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