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New Article on Blunts and their use in medieval archery

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WillS:
Fantastic new article available written by Ian and Mark, well worth a read.  Raises some fascinating questions about blunts and their uses.  More will be written soon, but it's an important breakthrough already.

http://www.theenglishwarbowsociety.com/MedievalBlunts.html

The video of Joe testing one of Marks blunts with a 170# bow (and hemp string) also available, here

http://youtu.be/lFBHTz9AROM

Lucasade:
That could make life a lot cheaper...  :)

brian:
Hi
 i read with interest Mark and Ian,s new article on blunts ,how ever the reference to Yumi strings on a heavy bow seems to me  to have very little historical significance.The medieval archer  when  his string broke did not go on ebay and order a yumi string  from Japan ,to help with the balance of  payments  deficit , he would  order from his local supplier  ,who would have probably made them from Galeopsis Tetrahit.
which can still be found in abundance ::) ::) ::)

WillS:
Hi Brian,

I'm sure you're aware of what's currently happening regarding the strings - I thought it was best left off the forums until everybody is amicable about it (although it seems to have been handled quite nicely already).  It's certainly not my place to post anything further on it.

Without the string-theory this is a very interesting bit of research and development, and I believe Mark is working on an article about the construction of them to be published soon. 

As Lucasade said, this would make things a lot cheaper and a lot more convenient than losing hand-forged heads on roves etc, and there's certainly a lot of evidence to substantiate the idea that it was common-place in history.  I'm looking forward to having a go myself once I find out how Mark makes 'em!

mikekeswick:
Volume 2 of the TBB's tells you how to make a strong enough string out of natural fiber  ;)
The key is clearly full length fibers. I've played about enough with natural material strings to know that string making is the tricky part....but perfectly doable if you've got the patience to learn and good raw materials. Retting is key also.
I remember hearing Mr.Bickerstaffe talking about the nock sizes on the Mary Rose arrows and how their width indicated that the bows were likely 80# average weight.....he wouldn't listen to me.
Grow your own hemp, nip off any side shoots, once it's away 'force' it like you do with rhubarb (but use a drainpipe!). I grew some last year in my greenhouse for string making and it's some strong,strong stuff.
I don't see what the fuss is about - of course blunts fly well/comparable to any other head, if we know it now...they knew it then. It's common sense if you ask me  ;) Try some .50 cal casings  >:D

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