Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Arrows => Topic started by: recurve shooter on July 09, 2008, 04:34:20 pm
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i think i read on here somewhere that you can make fine cordage out of milkweed and id like to use it for fletching. how do you do it? i mean get the weed to be string? ??? :P
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I have wrapped arrows with really small cordage, but I like the raw fibers better. the fibers are in the inner bark of the stalk. Cut a milkweed stalk (in the fall when they start to die back is best, but it'll work now-just messier and the fibers aren't quite as strong,) let it dry a couple/few days, then step on it/squish it to break it into sections lengthwise, like splitting a log into staves on a smaller scale. Then, break a section a few inches from the end-break from the inside out-this should break the woody part of the stalk, but the fibers on the ouside won't break. Peel the fibers/bark from the short section, and keep repeating until you get it all peeled off, then split the fibers into however wide of pieces you need. You can rub the fibers between your palms to get some of the brk/chaff off the fibers. Hope that made sense. You can peel the fibers off the green stalk, but it's messy as the dickens with all the milky sap.
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cool. thanx alot. got the stuff all ove down here. im guessng its fairly strong?
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Yep, milkweed makes stout cordage, not quite as strong as dogbane, but almost. It's one of the better fiber plants.
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I'm gonna have to practice that fiber stripping thing. Mine all came apart in my hand and turned out pretty much useless - maybe I picked it a little early.
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What about for bowstring? Is milkweed good for that?
~Matt
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??? huh. i guess if you were to weave it well enough it could be. i dont know. id stick to seniew, rawhide and such for that.