Hemp or flax tow for bore cleaning?

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Which is better for cleaning a gun’s bore? Looks like the hemp might be coarser? I think both were used in the colonial era. Also do yall know of sellers of American made tow all I’ve found were made overseas or in Canada.
 
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Which is better for cleaning a gun’s bore? Looks like the hemp might be coarser? I think both were used in the colonial era. Also do yall know of sellers of American made tow all I’ve found were made overseas or in Canada.
Hemp is usually coarser, but both hemp and flax tow were used for cleaning bores in the colonial era. Flax is softer and less likely to leave fibers behind. As for American-made tow, it’s tough to find—most are from overseas or Canada. You might have better luck checking with historical reenactment suppliers or niche gun forums
 
I can not tell a differnce. I saw on you tube a guy use inner cedar bark, so just like a lemming I had to give it a try… it worked great. So I tried shredded broom grass, and it did as well.
Mostly I use hemp because I can pick it up at Fort Sam Walton, half the time suppliers seem out of linen tow
 
Which is better for cleaning a gun’s bore? Looks like the hemp might be coarser? I think both were used in the colonial era. Also do yall know of sellers of American made tow all I’ve found were made overseas or in Canada.
I use hemp, have not used flax so can’t compare, works great. Rinse and repeat then for fire starting. I buy from the link bellow on ebay. Hand stripped in Pennsylvania I believe.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2345614272...BKSo-wvTuy&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY
 
Which is better for cleaning a gun’s bore? Looks like the hemp might be coarser? I think both were used in the colonial era. Also do yall know of sellers of American made tow all I’ve found were made overseas or in Canada.
Hemp can be found in different courses from fine to corse, I pretty much find flax is only fine.
I have and have used both; I prefer course hemp.

I got my flax from Townsend but don't remember off hand where my hemp came from as I ordered it a very long time ago and still have plenty left.
If you search the forum I had posted a year or so ago where I git it. Don't know about today but back then it was a heck of a lot cheaper than anywhere others were posting about. They also have a good selection of hemp fabric and occasionally some 'special' stock comes through "Get it while you can"
 


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