Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => English Warbow => Topic started by: Lucasade on February 28, 2016, 03:51:02 pm
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If I want to make a mix of beeswax, resin and fine tallow, what resin do I need? Or can I just use wax and tallow?
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I've made leather dressing with bees wax, bear grease and pine pitch.
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Would they have used pine pitch in Tudor England? I guess there were pine trees but assumed it would be something else they would use.
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Pine, spruce, fir and probably others
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Pork fat and beeswax! Waterproof, traditional and easy to mix a batch and apply.
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I thiught the books say tallow which is mutton or beef fat though?
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Varnishes have been made from pine resins since forever. I really like copal varnish. It's easy to make your own varnishes from pine resins.
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I thiught the books say tallow which is mutton or beef fat though?
I think you can use whatever you want. A lot of people swear by predator fat - bear, fox etc. I like pork fat because it's easy to get. We don't have bears here ;)
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I do make a varnish by dissolving hard, brittle pine pitch in alcohol to seal primitive arrows and sinew wraps on arrows. I guess it actually isn't a true varnish because it doesn't have oil in it but it works well to seal arrows and sinew wraps. I don't think I would use it on bows though.
I have finished a few bows with hand rubbed bear or pork fat and it worked well.
Animal fat, bees wax and tree pitch blend together well with a little heat but be careful because the pitch in very volatile so don't overheat it. Different mix ratios will yield different consistencies for different applications.
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Sounds like lots of things to experiment with - thanks all.
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I thiught the books say tallow which is mutton or beef fat though?
I think you can use whatever you want. A lot of people swear by predator fat - bear, fox etc. I like pork fat because it's easy to get. We don't have bears here ;)
That's exactly what Meester Poletti sends through with his bows Will ;)....plus when they eventually go "bang", the wreckage smells lovely when you sling it on the camp-fire :P
John T 8)