paper

[hardr004]

does anyone know how to make a papyrus like paper substitute from plants existing in England?

 

[Toddy]

The inner stems of greater reedmace (bullrushes). Peel them and slice them thinly along their length. Lay them out in thin, thin slices to the size you want, then do it again but with the slices going the other way. Press really hard, and let dry.

That's crude and simple, but it works; if you're prepared to go to a lot more effort then there are loads of cooked pulp methods from indigenous plants.

The Romans used birch bark to write on here; it's surprisingly good.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vindolanda_tablets
http://vindolanda.csad.ox.ac.uk/

cheers,
Toddy

 

[santaman2000]

There is a small scale paper mill in Wookie Hole near Wells. Or at least there used to be when I visited it 20 some odd years ago. I supsect they were using local plants. I know the paper mills here used to use pine.

 

[Jared]

Seem to remember Wookie makes their paper from cotton.

 

[santaman2000]

Possibly so. As I said, it's been 20 odd years. It was just a thought.