How to make Rope

How to make Rope

HOW TO MAKE SIMPLE CORDAGE

How to make simple cordage
Simple bow strings are essentially braided cordage--the same process is used to make both rope and Flemish strings. The ability to braid a bow string is a valuable tool for the self-reliant archer, but it can also be used in any number of environments that requires improvised cordage, including camping, survival situations and even craft making. Choose a good quality fiber for making a bow string, such as Dacron, Brownell's B-50 material or artificial sinew.

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Quality string/green bark strips/cloth strips ect...

1
Cut 12 strands of string fiber(dental floss),3 strips of green bark or 3 strips cloth to the desired length. Note that the string will length will be somewhat shorter than the length of the fibers due to the twisting process involved. For a bow string, cut your fibers 5 inches longer than the length of your bow.

2
Grasp the fibers 2 inches from their ends with two fingers on your left hand. Separate the long ends of the fibers into two groups of six fibers.

3
Twist one group of fibers clockwise with your right thumb and forefinger. While holding these twisted fibers, grasp the other group with your free right-hand fingers and pull it counterclockwise under the twisted bundle. Slide your
left-hand fingers up slightly to hold the twist in place.

4
Take the untwisted bundle in your right hand and twist it clockwise as you did in Step 3. Still holding this bundle, reach and pull the other fibers counterclockwise beneath it. Slide your left-hand fingers forward again.

5
Repeat Steps 3 and 4 until you have braided the desired length of string to be used as rope or latching. Knot off the ends for cordage or tie slip knots to use as a simple bow string.

HOW TO MAKE BOWSTRING FROM SINEW

HOW TO MAKE BOWSTRING FROM SINEW

How to make bowstring from sinew

Bowstrings can be made out of a variety of materials, however one durable and readily available material is sinew. Sinew is the dried tendons of an animal and is extremely tough with very little stretch. These qualities make sinew a useful candidate for making a bowstring, as you want as little stretch as possible and durability for repeated shots. Once you have procured and dried your sinew, follow the steps below to build a long lasting, durable bowstring.

1.1

Cut the piece of sinew to a length twice that of your final bowstring length. Determine the length of your finished bowstring by subtracting four inches from the total length of the bow. Double this number and that is how much sinew you will need.

2.2

Soak the sinew in cool water for a few hours to get it pliable enough to work with. Fold the sinew over in the middle and twist the end 5-6 times. Slide one of the ends of the strands through the small loop you made in the middle of the sinew to form a large loop in the bowstring.

3.3

Place the stick inside the large loop you just made and then hang the loop from a nail that you pounded into a tree. Tie the ends of the two strands of sinew to the paint bucket and then twist the string tightly until the entire string is twisted, but not bunched. Allow the string to dry like this for 2-3 days.

4.4

Rub beeswax on the string after the 2-3 day drying period and remove the paint bucket and stick from the ends. Your new string is now ready to mount on the bow of your choice.

Note: Another option if you are unable to get ahold of long sinew from large game is to collect sinew from small game. Scrape off all meat from the tendons and allow to dry. Pound the dried tendons between two rocks and pull apart the fibers. Soak the fibers in water or moisten by chewing them, either or. Now weave them together like you are braiding someone's hair. When you have enough, wrap one end over a stick and tie the loose ends over it's self. Continue to braid until the desired length is achieved then coat the cordage in hide glue. Attach another stick to the other end and allow to dry.