bowstrings-msg - 7/3/11

Medieval bowstrings. Making bowstrings.

NOTE: See also the files: bow-making-msg, arrows-msg, crossbows-msg, arch-supplies-msg, quivers-msg, p-archery-msg Crossbow-Care-art, merch-archery-msg.

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This file is a collection of various messages having a common theme that I have collected from my reading of the various computer networks. Some messages date back to 1989, some may be as recent as yesterday.

This file is part of a collection of files called Stefan's Florilegium. These files are available on the Internet at: http://www.florilegium.org

I have done a limited amount of editing. Messages having to do with separate topics were sometimes split into different files and sometimes extraneous information was removed. For instance, the message IDs were removed to save space and remove clutter.

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Thank you,
    Mark S. Harris                  AKA:  THLord Stefan li Rous
                                          Stefan at florilegium.org
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Date: Thu, 11 Sep 1997 20:18:50 -0400
From: "Nick Sasso (fra niccolo)" <grizly at mindspring.com>
To: sca-arts at raven.cc.ukans.edu
Subject: Re: tablet woven bowstring?

> Has anyone heard of using tablet weaving for a bowstring?
>
> I thought it was a somewhat interesting concept and I thought I would
> share it with the list.
>
> Ailene ingen Aedain
> Shire of Shadowdale, Calontir

I have in my possession a board with sundry masterfully placed nails (I
hope so for the cost) used to make a 'Flemish twisted' bowstring.  It
involves laying out (weaving it around the nails)  the string on the
board and cutting it at the appropriate length.  Thereafter, it is
twisted and sort of braided to get a closed loop at either end and a
spitaled length.  It is quite period as you noted above, and takes no
mean skill to pull off.

niccolo

Date: Thu, 11 Sep 1997 22:00:41 -0400
From: "Nick Sasso (fra niccolo)" <grizly at mindspring.com>
To: sca-arts at raven.cc.ukans.edu
Subject: Re: tablet woven bowstring?

mtech at cybertours.com wrote:
> >> I have in my possession a board with sundry masterfully placed nails (I
> > hope so for the cost) used to make a 'Flemish twisted' bowstring. It
> > involves laying out (weaving it around the nails)  the string on the
> > board and cutting it at the appropriate length.  Thereafter, it is
> > twisted and sort of braided to get a closed loop at either end and a
> > spitaled length.  It is quite period as you noted above, and takes no
> > mean skill to pull off.
> >
> > niccolo
>
> Could you describe it in more detail or tell us where you acquired this
> wonderous device :^)
>
> Ken

Well, I acquired it from 'Dreamstorm Archery", Michael Twadell
proprietor---(205)837-6574.  He is a masterful bower and archer from
Meridies who lives in Alabama.  He sells handcrafted bows, arrows and
accessories for traditional archery, and teaches the skills needed to
use and care for them: a merchant with a generous heart.  He has won
several state archery open shoots with a lemonwood (I believe) bow he
made from his own hand, ditto the arrows.  He teaches the technique as
well as selling the strings and boards.

The device is simply a 1"x6" board.  it has a row of nails running up
the center from the bottom to about 8 inches.  Then, there is a series
of paired smaller, headless nails up to the top.  I will post a better
plan or even a graphic layout tomorrow.  I'll get it out and put the
plan out there.  The board simply lays out the lengths and counted
strands of the string. Once you have cut it, it is the beginning of the
work.  You need the jig to get started, though.  I believe he sells them
for around $10 or so.....reasonable for a hard to find item.

The true skill is in knowing the procedure to twist them.  I cannot hope
to describe the technique here as it took me several sessions of
watching to figure it out for my own lefthanded brain :o)  Michael used
to sell a video that describes the whole process as well.  Feel free to
mention me if you call him.  I told him I would spread his wares as far
and wide as I could.  He is a kind and generous man who is happy to
teach what he knows.  Which also includes "tuning" your equipment for
precision shooting.

fra niccolo difrancesco

Date: Sat, 13 Sep 1997 13:24:25 -0700
From: Robert Schweitzer <robs at ionline.net>
To: sca-arts at raven.cc.ukans.edu
Subject: Re: TW bowstring

> >I have in my possession a board with sundry masterfully placed nails (I
> >hope so for the cost) used to make a 'Flemish twisted' bowstring.  It
> >involves laying out (weaving it around the nails)  the string on the
> >board and cutting it at the appropriate length.
> 
> Where did you (can I) find such a board?
> 
> Franz

The "jig" to make a flemish bowstring is really just a piece of wood with a 
series of nails spaced so as to get a tapered end to the string (so all of the 
ends don't terminate at the same place).

Although you can also have more complex variations which can be adjusted to 
different string lengths etc.

It isn't a very difficult task to learn (if you have someone to demonstrate)
the strings are twisted one direction and then combined with other groups of 
strings by twisting them in the opposite direction.  The opposing twists lock 
the threads together.

By the way, as a tablet weaver and an archer, it is extremely unlikely that a 
bowstring would be tabletwoven - it could work, but it's unlikely due to the 
amount of time making such a string would require.

A flemish twist string could be made in an hour; a tablet woven string would 
take a day to weave.

The tablet-woven string would also be heavier (due to the additional weft 
thread) and decrease the cast of the bow (lower transference of energy).
This is why thinner strings are used for greater cast.

The reason why thinner strings are said to require greater skill, is that they 
are more susceptible to being "plucked", pulled sideways by flaws in the 
archers technique and consequently affecting the flight of the arrow.
Heavier strings have more momentum, and being thicker are easier for the archer 
to handle/control.

Rufus of Stamford.

To: scanewcomers at yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: If you are interested in Archery
Posted by: "Gavin Kinkade" gavin.kinkade at yahoo.com gavin.kinkade
Date: Wed Jun 15, 2011 5:25 am ((PDT))

Bow strings that come untied are typically a result of not enough wax on the string/fibers.  However some are just made wrong or improperly. Not having seen them in action I cannot tell you why it came untied.
 
A spare string is always a good idea anyway. 3 Rivers Archery makes good string, as do some local scadians. You can also try NorthStar Archery, I have both bow strings and crossbow strings from them and they are top-notch. You can find the websites via  Google.

Lord Gavin Kyncade

Marcaster Archery and Thrown weapons Ranger
Squire to Sir Takamatsu
Apprentice to Maitresse Aspasia Moonwind
Cadet to Don Tomas Mac Coran

Date: Thu, 16 Jun 2011 18:05:17 -0400 (EDT)
From: sigrune at aol.com
To: atlantia at atlantia.sca.org
Subject: Re: [MR] flemish tied bowstrings

<<< I've seen this several times before, but what does "flemish tied bowstring" indicate?  How are other bowstrings tied? I seem to remember this term being used for both crossbows and longbows.

Stefan >>>

A flemish bowestring is one that has a loop set into the end instead of 
being tied into a powers knot.

A more modern interpretation is that a flemish bowstring is a twisted 
strand bowstring as opposed to some of the more modern ones that are 
almost braided construction at the ends, and lots of loose little 
strands until you get to the serving. (The tight coil of fiber that 
protects the string at the knock/drawpoints)

-Takeda

Date: Fri, 17 Jun 2011 15:24:57 -0700 (PDT)
From: Barbara Miller <blithaofwolfhou at yahoo.com>
To: atlantia at atlantia.sca.org
Subject: Re: [MR] flemish tied bowstrings

The biggest difference between a Flemish string and a modern string is how the 
loops are made.  Modern strings are endless loops, one string that is looped 
multiple times make the string, that are then wrapped on the ends to make the 
loops.  A Flemish string is made up of multiple strands that are looped and 
twisted together on the ends.  

In terms of use, they work exactly the same.  It isn't advised to take a Flemish 
string off of the bow that it is put on because it relies on keeping a little 
bit of pressure and will untwist if taken off the bow.

Bubba

From: loreleielkins at aol.com
Subject: Flemish Tied Bowstring
Date: June 16, 2011 8:55:02 PM CDT
To: StefanliRous at austin.rr.com

The previous answer you received on the Merry Rose about a "Flemish tied bowstring" was not as clear as it could be.  The basic types of bow strings commonly in use are the endless loop and the Flemish twist or just Flemish bowstring.  The endless loop string is kind of what it sounds like, 13 to 16 strands which are wrapped around and around.  When the serving is done (string tied snugly at each end to seal off the loops) you can slip either end of these loops over the end of your bow.  There are advantages to using an endless loop, although it isn't as period as a Flemish string.

The Flemish string is one made where the strands are twisted together like one would make cordage (twist, wrap, twist, wrap...). Sometimes loops are made by splicing the string back into itself, or one loop is made for the bottom and on the top, the string is tied onto the bow using a Bowyers Knot.  It is the only knot allowed in archery for tying a string to a bow, also called the timber hitch. 

The Honorable Lady Lorelei Greenleafe
Deputy Earl Marshal for Target Archery, Atlantia

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