Re: Fustian and Linen for bowstrings (long)

[joerg_bellinghausen-at-yahoo.com]

Hi Dave!

> Fustian ... I am currently in the process of chasing up a source for
this.
> However I a curious that you mention twill. I haven't looked at my
refs.
> for a while but I don't recall it as necessarily being a twill cloth
...
> and suggestions for your refs for this.

The German technical term for the weave is 'Köper' which is the same as
Twill-weave.
I first read this definition in a needlework and fabric encyclopaedia
and I've found this URL's (I don't know, if you speak German):

http://www.buurman.de/999/342.html

http://www.buurman.de/3999/3412.html

Check out the drawing in the center and compare it to this picture:

http://www.buurman.de/999/247.html

Looks pretty identical to me, doesn't it? 

> Also are you aware that traditionally it was brushed (that was why
the cotton was used for the weft).

Yup, I know, that Fustian should be brushed on one side.

> I know there is a source in the UK .... but getting hold of it ...
I'll
> keep everyone informed. IF I ca get some then maybe I could get some
for
> people & bring it to HK ??

That would be great! I'll continue my search, too, and if I find some
of this stuff, I'll bring some samples to HKB (that is, if my new boss
lets me go to HKB, keep my fingers crossed!)
 
> Linen for bowstrings ... from memory hemp is more traditional for
> bowstrings but I think you may be a bit hopeful there! As for linen
why
> Irish Shoemakers linen? I would have expected this to be pre-waxed
which is
> not really what you want. I'll ask around about bowstrings when I get
the
> chance ... I need to make ome myself anyway.

Here's my source for linen as bowstring material. It's an article about
the medieval English Longbow by Robert E. Kaiser, MA, which was
originally published in the Journal of the Society of Archer
Antiquaries, volume 23, 1980
(the online version can be found here:http://snt.student.utwente.nl/cam
pus/sagi/artikel/longbow/longbow.html)

Here it goes:"Bow strings were of two materials: in the sixteenth
century, strings were made of "good hempe...(but, earlier, strings were
made of)...fine Flaxe or Sylk" (Roger Ascham, Toxophilus, The Schole of
Shootinghe, 2nd Book, London, 1545,p. 9)
So, linen (flax) is a suitable material for strings, although hemp
would be even better. Here a link to a good article about bowstrings:
http://snt.student.utwente.nl/campus/sagi/artikel/longbowstring/string.
html

Why Irish Shoemakers linen? Ireland is said to have a long tradition of
cultivating flax and making linen. This is even backed up by historical
references, but unfortunately, I don't recall where I have read this
(I'll check it out if you like). Shoemakers linen comes in various
qualities, the stuff from Ireland is said to be the best, because they
can produce very thin cord with a high breaking strength per individual
strand. Tim Baker, a professional Bowyer and co-author of the
"Traditional Bowyer's Bible" has done extensive testing with various
fibres and has found out, that a top-quality linen or hemp cord equals
or even exceeds the performance of modern bowstring materials such as
Dacron in terms of stretch and breaking strength.
Concerning the draw weight of medieval war bows (80-100lbs-at-28") you
need a very strong string and it has to be quite thin, because the nock
width of medieval war arrows was only about 1/8". So, linen steems the
stuff to look for, unless I find the time to cultivate some hemp and
spin my own cord.

Sorry for typing so much!

Best,
Jörg



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