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Your Favorite Natural Fibers?
PrimitiveTim:
I got to say agave. The bigger the better! It's easy to process, you get long white clean fibers, and it's real strong. It's not super common here in Florida but it's in enough people's yards that I can usually supply my demand.
swamp monkey:
For ease of use: Marsh milkweed. The fibers are long and white making a beautiful white rope.
For strength: I like nettle. It makes a strong rope!
For rot resistance: you can't beat dogbane. It makes a wonderful handle wrap.
For a neat and tidy looking rope I like hickory inner bark.
I would love to learn more about yucca fiber processing. I know nothing about it.
PrimitiveTim:
--- Quote from: swamp monkey on August 14, 2013, 09:33:52 pm ---I would love to learn more about yucca fiber processing. I know nothing about it.
--- End quote ---
In my experience, yucca is a pain in the butt and agave is a breeze
madcrow:
I love working with dogbane and yucca. To process the yucca, I fill an old aquarium with the leaves and cover them with water and let them set til everything but the fibers has rotted. I wipe all the nasty stuff off, wash the fiber in dawn dish detergent and lay them out to dry. Then start twisting.
PrimitiveTim:
--- Quote from: madcrow on August 15, 2013, 12:39:05 am ---I love working with dogbane and yucca. To process the yucca, I fill an old aquarium with the leaves and cover them with water and let them set til everything but the fibers has rotted. I wipe all the nasty stuff off, wash the fiber in dawn dish detergent and lay them out to dry. Then start twisting.
--- End quote ---
How long does that usually take and do the fibers retain their strength?
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