Question about slow match.

[PedroB]

What do you guys use for slowmatch? I haven't been able to find anything good for a while now. Most of the cotton woven cord I've found has a nylon core.
I don't want to use that three strand twisted because it will come apart instead of making a nice point where the coal is.
So, do you guys buy it commercially or do you make your own?

 

[Teleoceras]

Wheellock_fan:

What do you guys use for slowmatch? I haven't been able to find anything good for a while now. Most of the cotton woven cord I've found has a nylon core.
I don't want to use that three strand twisted because it will come apart instead of making a nice point where the coal is.
So, do you guys buy it commercially or do you make your own?

My Dad was lucky enough to find my Mom's old macrame materials years ago. It included quite a bit of hemp cord which I now use to make slowmatch. It burns a bit faster than the cotton, but it also burns hotter. Hemp was the traditional material and now I can see why.

Good luck in your quest!

 

[PedroB]

Macrame cord!
Now why did'nt I think of that?
Good tip, thanks man! I'll get on that asap!
:redthumb:

 

[benvenuto]

Hemp really is the best, my colleague at the range says it more reliable than a cotton cord.
Theres a lot of places to buy online, but it tends to be a little pricey unless you buy a whole 75yard (?) spool.
there must be someone selling it cheaper wholesale somewhere... try some craft supply wholesalers

OK, theses prices look reasonable:
Hemp Basics Romanian hemp ropes

 

[CaptainBill03]

Good morning
A friend of mine got information at Colonial Williamsburg. They use slowmatch made from one pound of black powder, 2 gallons of water, a quart of vinegar, and 50 yards of 6 millimeter hemp rope, mix all together and boil for two hours. Alternately I mixed three table spoons of salt peter in a cup and one half of water and soaked 15 feet of rope overnight, it burns really hot, Be sure to lay it flat to dry and remember to knock off the ash before

 

[benvenuto]

Looks like Ulrich Bretscher has been updating:

Article on authentic matchcord and its chemistry

Fantastic stuff!

 

[arilar]

Thanks Benvenuto!
Much interesting article. Also got myself a bonus. Saw the nice-loking matchlock-rifle by Jurgen Kreckel :shocking:. Meet him in Camp Perry, Ohio 1992 and liked the matchlock. Got two kits and a friend put them together in Sweden. For financial reasons had to let them go when they were finished :cry:. To my happiness one was bought by a friend last year and the other poped up on an auction this spring and I could direct it to a close-living friend (he let me fire it last week!) . For the first time I also learned where to find the original (Milano museum).
Its a small world...!!
ARILAR :: :thumbsup:

 

Looks like Ulrich Bretscher has been updating:

Article on authentic matchcord and its chemistry

Fantastic stuff!

I was in correspondence with him recently. He said that he would be adding more material. Seems that a couple of handgonnes were recently excavated in Switzerland and he's will be inspecting them. I look forward to his report. His entire website should be explored, its a treasure trove of information.

Just :m2c:

 

[rifleshooter2]

This place looks like it has some good stuff to make slowmatch out of
http://www.wickstore.com/index.html

Andy

 

[benvenuto]

Yes, thats a beautiful gun!
I forgot to mention it in my post but i was going to comment

 

[benvenuto]

I can hardly wait!

Ulrich writes really well, plus being a chemist can explain a lot of what is going on with things like powder and matches

now if only they would excavate some handgonnes with the original stocks or accoutrements!