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Stone Age Witch Hazel (updated 1/18)
ricktrojanowski:
My first attempt I used a method I found in an old issue of Prim archer. Basically you get enough fibers to span about 24 feet that would be the thickness of 1/4 of the finished string diameter. You then tie off one end of a bundle, splice another bundled then another until you get to a 6' mark then wrap it around something stationary and go back to the point where you tied off. Now you have 12 feet. Then work your way back to your 6' mark wrap it and back to your point of origin now you have 24 feet. Then unwrap so you now have a 24 foot straight string. Twist until it kinks than fold and now you have 12 feet reverse twisted. Then repeat that and you have 6 feet again reverse twisted. The magazine explains this much more clearly than I do. ??? When I did this then tested it the splices kept ripping out. I was really PI@@ed. That was a lot of fiber. And a lot of time. The string I am making now is more like the TBB shows. Basically a Flemish twist staggering splices like you would do with sinew . Much easier and hopefully much stronger. I am sure the way in the Prim. archer article describes works, but I must have missed something. Here are a couple pics of the unfinished new string.
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JackCrafty:
Looks good. I've had good results with sisal fiber using the flemish twist as you describe...haven't tried dogbane, though. I make my sisal strings a bit thicker than 1/8" and it seems to work well for short bows less than 55#.
DanaM:
Looking good Rick, I have a bunch of dogbane processed but have done anything with it as of it, If ya run short
let me know and I will send it to ya :)
jamie:
rick i made a half dozen strings before i got one to stay togetehr. your doing great keep it up. next we'll work on the arrows ;D
ricktrojanowski:
Here are a couple of pics on the handle shaping. I used a few different obsidian flakes and a "foot vice" which Jamie showed me how to use. I have since forgotton the correct way of doing this. Oh well this worked out pretty well. I have learned a new appreciation for my regular woodworking vices. Tomorrow I will start reducing the tips.
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