tow?

[killer]

where is the cheapest place to order tow on line? thanks denny

 

[Len Graves]

I know you can get tow from track of the wolf. The last I got was from some knitting spinning co. I think in Penn. they called it flax waste. It's been about three years since I bought it and it seems it was $9.00 for two pounds. Two pounds is a lot. Sorry I can't remember the exact name of the co. I looked on line under spinning knitting supplies. You may have to go through a number to find one that knows what you are talking about. Good luck.

 

[Stumpkiller]

I got two pounds for $12.00 shipped some time back from Silver Shuttle in Memphis, TN. They used to advertise in the back of Muzzleloader Mag. The strands are long - looks like a twisted up blonde wig. Turns out two pounds is about a 30 year supply. Four big skeins.

 

[Grenadier1758]

Tow is the waste material from the processing of flax to make linen. The best place to get tow is from Susan Wallace of the Silver Shuttle. She is also a great source of wool and period proper dyes.

 

[dlpowell]

Got a web site for Silver Shuttle?

 

[alrany187]

where is the cheapest place to order tow on line? thanks denny

I realize that this isn't online, but if you just want tow for gun cleaning and fire starting, go to your local hardware store, buy a spool of jute twine and then untwist/unravel it as you need to. Twine is a lot more compact in your fire kit. I cut the twine into 6" strands and then unravel just what I need.

 

[Roy]

:thumbsup:

 

[Ohio Rusty]

I also got my tow from Silver Shuttle. Excellent tow, excellent service. Her name is screen name is Susan and she frequents the Fron. Folk message board also. I don't know if she logs in here or not.
Ohio Rusty >

 

[Len Graves]

I have heard that some of the twine and rope have a fire retardent in them. I know some that I have tried to use just wouldn't work while other worked very well. Don't really know how you would check.

 

[paulvallandigham]

I have had absolutely NO problems getting a fire going using unraveled Jute string or cord. The fibers are very thin, and strong, which is why they make a good, and cheap cord or string for tying packages. They make excellent TOW, since they are the same kind of material. Tow is usually from a linen plant, while the jute plant is grown to provide the fibers. Both come from the inner bark of the plants. Jute is the common material found in " Burlap" bags.

If a fire retardant is used, it should appear on the label on the spool of cord. There are people who have allergies to some of the fire retardants being used.

 

[blacksmithman64]

don't know if your after gun cleaning or just fire starting, but dried corn husks are THE FASTEST at making fire I ever put a flint and steel to. Watch yer moustache and eyebrows!

 

[alrany187]

I have heard that some of the twine and rope have a fire retardent in them. I know some that I have tried to use just wouldn't work while other worked very well. Don't really know how you would check.

I agree with Paul, I have not heard of this with twine, maybe rope but I would waste my time trying unravel that for jute. I use jute for weaving straps for bags and horns, tumplines and many other things. When I'm finished I usually have far more than 2 pounds of scrap jute available.

 

[ameling]

First, JUTE is not TOW. They may be somewhat similar, but they are from different plants.

Second: JUTE was not commonly available and used back in "colonial" days. It comes from the SE Asia area where the plants grow, and started to become available in the late 1800's and early 1900's.

So, in the end, it is a matter of personal choice as to what you want to get and use - the real thing or something that is ... somewhat ... similar. For some people, only real TOW is acceptable. For others, something "similar" like jute will do. That personal choice.

Jute is a nice material, just from a later time period than most people here are interested in.

Just my humble thoughts to share, and best used in conjunction with your own research.

Mikey - that grumpy ol' German blacksmith out in the Hinterlands

 

[Black Hand]

And when it comes right down to it, tow is fairly crappy fire-starting material (smokes too much, sucks moisture from the air, and goes out easily). Yes, it does give you a flame, but it doesn't have much staying power. Charred punk and cottonwood inner bark is what I use. But then again I am lighting a fire to cook and stay warm rather than for competitions.

Tow does work well for cleaning, and I would use it over jute any day for anything. Jute is soft, spongy, frays too much and "sheds".

Also as Mike said, Tow is PC/HC and jute is not....

 

[Black Hand]

I use jute for weaving straps for bags and horns, tumplines and many other things.

Switch to linen or hemp. You won't go back....

 

[lonehunter]

hemp and firearms dont mix :rotf: :rotf: :thumbsup:

 

[Grenadier1758]

You wanted a contact point and we just gave you a name.

Susan doesn't have a web site. You can reach her at the following address.

Susan

She sells a good quantity of tow and I have used to clean out many a musket. The tow cleans out easily in water and when you think it is worn out, then dry it good and use it for tinder.

 

[tg]

In most any area a little research will show some sort of inner bark or some part of a plant/plants that can be used for starting fires some works right off the plant others may need some prep and drying.Dried Spanish moss works, cattail duff works, I have used some stuff that I did not know the name of and never followed up to learn what it was.Birds nests often provide ready made tinder bundles, drop in a bit of char or dried material of your choice, throw a spark and away you go.

 

[killer]

Thanks for the info guys, i just sent an email to susan.

 

http://www.dixiegunworks.com/product_info.php?products_id=2685
http://www.norwestcompany.com/rods.htm (currently out of stock)
http://longhunterleather.tripod.com/catalog-01-09/pg7.html (half-way down page)