Re: Bowstrings was Fustian and Linen for bowstrings

[dave_key-at-uk.ibm.com]

David,

My concern was not whether shoemakers cord was 'waxed' but whether it had
been 'treated' ... in the same way that linen is often replaced with more
modern fibres (even if only in percentage terms) so beeswax is almost
certainly not what is used on modern threads ... but I could be wrong and I
am presuming that beeswax would have been the wax'of choice' fpor bow
strings.

By returning to the untreated raw materials we would get closer to the
original, thats all.

Also I'd bre curious to know your source for hemp cord, have you got a
contact address ?

Similarly I'd be very interested in any refs. you can provide for bowstring
construction etc., primarily English but French would be equally
interesting. It curious how different the construction of a crossbow string
is to a that used on a  bow ... it would be interesting to know if there
were regional/national differences and if so were these just preference or
practical ?? Any thoughts ?

Cheers
Dave Key



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