I like limesManufacture of lime bast cordage in northern Europe has been an unbroken tradition from the Mesolithic (90003000 BC) to the present day. The cordage was usually manufactured by stripping off the bark of lime trees in midsummer, submerging it in water to dissociate the adjacent bast layers, and then peeling off the outer bark and separating the bast layers in narrow bands. The bast bands were then spun to make cords, which in turn were twisted to cordage. Lime bast cordage is characterized by pliability, low specific weight, low extensibility and limited water absorbance. While the strength is superior to bast cordage of other European trees, particularly in wet conditions, it is susceptible to wear, has less strength than cordage of hemp and nylon, for example, and requires laborious manufacture. The skills required for making lime bast cordage are rare at present, but increased interest in natural fibre products might safeguard and revitalize the craft for the future.
What a great page! Thanks matchmatch said:Further info on preparing tree bast is given here:
http://homepage.mac.com/laddie/basswood_twining.html
(Basswood is from the same family as Lime (Linden) Tree (Tilia ssp).
troy said:Its a fasinating subject, making cord out of fibres. and as 'sad' as it may sound, I spent a good three weeks last year experimenting with different types that I had gathered, plus a few garden type cords in order to see which would be best suited for the bows I make, that is apart from the linen and B50 that I mostly use.
The best bought garden type cord was a white course three ply, which lasted quite a while on the 30 -40 lb bows but due to its courseness I just use it in the tillering process now.
I used a few gathered fibres and the best two for the job where nettle and basswood (equired when last in the US) and if I had to choose between the two - I would go for the basswood because it is not nessesary to splice in new lengths and the end product is far prettier. The initial reverse twist method in the making process was alot easier to learn then having to ensure that each twist was of equal size. This needed to be mastered to ensure that there was no weak spots, which could spell trouble for the bow. Paying attention to each twist also produced a smooth frayless cord that looks great.
I have still got some of the basswood left over, so if one or two of you would like to try it out, then give us a bell.