Welcome, Guest. Please Login
SLINGING.ORG
 
Home Help Search Login


Pages: 1 2 3 
Send Topic Print
Natural fiber treatments (Read 2620 times)
NooneOfConsequence
Slinging.org Moderator
*****
Offline



Posts: 2983
Texas
Natural fiber treatments
Feb 1st, 2021 at 9:52pm
 
Has anyone else had any luck with modifying the properties of natural fibers using additives or chemical treatments?  I’ve expressed my frustration with how jute breaks too easily, but I started wondering if there may be ways to treat the fibers... maybe not to strengthen the jute necessarily, but maybe if you could soften the fibers somehow, they would bend more easily without breaking and the sling would last longer. Any ideas?
Back to top
 

“My final hour is at hand. We face an enemy more numerous and cunning than the world has yet seen. Remember your training, and do not fear the hordes of Judas. I, without sin, shall cast the first stone. That will be your sign to attack! But you shall not fight this unholy enemy with stones. No! RAZOR GLANDES!  Aim for the eyes! May the Lord have mercy, for we shall show none!“  -Jesus the Noodler
 
IP Logged
 
xud9a - call me zud 👍
Funditor
****
Offline


Ringing Slocks !

Posts: 567
Nottinghamshire, England
Gender: male
Re: Natural fiber treatments
Reply #1 - Feb 1st, 2021 at 10:11pm
 
I made a jute sling last week. It is very soft  but I was  disappointed with it. I then made a cotton, hemp and jute sling. It feels and looks better. I will report back after breaking them in. Jute is cheap, why not experiment. For softening I would be inclined to try hair conditioner ! Others could be coconut oil, beeswax, candle wax, petroleum jelly any other nut or vegetable oil and you could always try washing it !!!   
Good luck.    😇🦄
Back to top
 

My outlook on life is Aristotalean; on seeing an Acorn I see a potential oak tree rather than Plato's view that it is a failed copy.
BE SAFE,    BE SMILEY,   BE STRANGE
 
IP Logged
 
IronGoober
Interfector Viris Spurii
*****
Online


...and now, No. 1, the
larch...

Posts: 1595
California
Gender: male
Re: Natural fiber treatments
Reply #2 - Feb 1st, 2021 at 10:14pm
 
Hmm.  I don't know.

My first thought would be to do something like how raw-hide is made into leather, by using additives that cross-link (chemically bond) the collagen in the skin.  But, I don't know if there are the right kind of bonds available in plant materials. Cellulose is just a glucose chain repeated.  And crystallized cellulose is super strong stuff. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/cellulose-nanofibers

I have seen some papers on removing the lignin in wood to just keep the cellulose and you can end up with some strong stuff. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-018-01600-6  I wonder if you could do something like that... It might just make it really brittle though. The lignin is removed via boiling hydrogen peroxide if I remember right.  ...   apparently you can use a strong basic solution too. Either way, not a gentle process.

It would be interesting nonetheless.
Back to top
 

John R.
 
IP Logged
 
Scorpion Vin
Descens
***
Offline


Still slinging better
than archery!

Posts: 209
Gender: male
Re: Natural fiber treatments
Reply #3 - Feb 1st, 2021 at 10:20pm
 
I think if there is sisal, horsehair, or manila, it is better to choose them.

With my jute I did this - soaked it with castor oil (ricin plant)

You can saturate it with lard, heat it in a pan and smear it

It's better than nothing anyway

I did the same with the skin on the sling
Back to top
 

"Do you know, that in a universe so full of wonders, they have managed to invent boredom.” ― Terry Pratchett
 
IP Logged
 
NooneOfConsequence
Slinging.org Moderator
*****
Offline



Posts: 2983
Texas
Re: Natural fiber treatments
Reply #4 - Feb 1st, 2021 at 10:45pm
 
@IG, you could argue that jute, sisal, hemp, and cotton are all mostly cellulose, but they have very different properties from each other, so there must be some subtleties that matter... the real question is whether you can tweak those subtle differences and change one material to act differently. I guess I’ll have to dig a little deeper into the chemistry of natural fibers.
Back to top
 

“My final hour is at hand. We face an enemy more numerous and cunning than the world has yet seen. Remember your training, and do not fear the hordes of Judas. I, without sin, shall cast the first stone. That will be your sign to attack! But you shall not fight this unholy enemy with stones. No! RAZOR GLANDES!  Aim for the eyes! May the Lord have mercy, for we shall show none!“  -Jesus the Noodler
 
IP Logged
 
SerKraus
Senior Member
****
Offline


Slinging Rocks!

Posts: 266
Gender: male
Re: Natural fiber treatments
Reply #5 - Feb 1st, 2021 at 10:46pm
 
NooneOfConsequence wrote on Feb 1st, 2021 at 9:52pm:
Has anyone else had any luck with modifying the properties of natural fibers using additives or chemical treatments?  I’ve expressed my frustration with how jute breaks too easily, but I started wondering if there may be ways to treat the fibers... maybe not to strengthen the jute necessarily, but maybe if you could soften the fibers somehow, they would bend more easily without breaking and the sling would last longer. Any ideas?


Can you specify what you mean by break? I've never had jute fail me unless I braided it wrong.
Back to top
 

No citizen has a right to be an amateur in the matter of physical training…what a disgrace it is for a man to grow old without ever seeing the beauty and strength of which his body is capable. -Socrates
 
IP Logged
 
Morphy
Slinging.org Moderator
*****
Offline


Checkmate

Posts: 8102
Re: Natural fiber treatments
Reply #6 - Feb 1st, 2021 at 10:56pm
 
An interesting question. This might be what I look into over the next few days. I won't even bother saying beeswax since we already know what that does and doesn't do.  Weirdly enough no one has ever mentioned on here (as far as I can remember) something like a substance that might give more strength rather than more durability.
Back to top
 
 
IP Logged
 
NooneOfConsequence
Slinging.org Moderator
*****
Offline



Posts: 2983
Texas
Re: Natural fiber treatments
Reply #7 - Feb 1st, 2021 at 11:19pm
 
SerKraus wrote on Feb 1st, 2021 at 10:46pm:
NooneOfConsequence wrote on Feb 1st, 2021 at 9:52pm:
Has anyone else had any luck with modifying the properties of natural fibers using additives or chemical treatments?  I’ve expressed my frustration with how jute breaks too easily, but I started wondering if there may be ways to treat the fibers... maybe not to strengthen the jute necessarily, but maybe if you could soften the fibers somehow, they would bend more easily without breaking and the sling would last longer. Any ideas?


Can you specify what you mean by break? I've never had jute fail me unless I braided it wrong.


When jute fails it’s usually in a place where there is mechanical bending. I have one that broke just under the retention knot, for example.
Back to top
 

“My final hour is at hand. We face an enemy more numerous and cunning than the world has yet seen. Remember your training, and do not fear the hordes of Judas. I, without sin, shall cast the first stone. That will be your sign to attack! But you shall not fight this unholy enemy with stones. No! RAZOR GLANDES!  Aim for the eyes! May the Lord have mercy, for we shall show none!“  -Jesus the Noodler
 
IP Logged
 
SerKraus
Senior Member
****
Offline


Slinging Rocks!

Posts: 266
Gender: male
Re: Natural fiber treatments
Reply #8 - Feb 2nd, 2021 at 12:17am
 
NooneOfConsequence wrote on Feb 1st, 2021 at 11:19pm:
SerKraus wrote on Feb 1st, 2021 at 10:46pm:
NooneOfConsequence wrote on Feb 1st, 2021 at 9:52pm:
Has anyone else had any luck with modifying the properties of natural fibers using additives or chemical treatments?  I’ve expressed my frustration with how jute breaks too easily, but I started wondering if there may be ways to treat the fibers... maybe not to strengthen the jute necessarily, but maybe if you could soften the fibers somehow, they would bend more easily without breaking and the sling would last longer. Any ideas?


Can you specify what you mean by break? I've never had jute fail me unless I braided it wrong.


When jute fails it’s usually in a place where there is mechanical bending. I have one that broke just under the retention knot, for example.


My jute slings have never ever broken. You must be making a mistake while braiding. The only time jute failed me was when I was new to braiding and made a tapering error. Even then, it didn’t break and would have happened to any other material provided I had braided it the same way.
Back to top
 

No citizen has a right to be an amateur in the matter of physical training…what a disgrace it is for a man to grow old without ever seeing the beauty and strength of which his body is capable. -Socrates
 
IP Logged
 
Archaic Arms
Funditor
****
Offline


Testing and inventing
"Archaic" weapons.

Posts: 728
Re: Natural fiber treatments
Reply #9 - Feb 2nd, 2021 at 4:53am
 
If you want to make any plant fibre braid really loose and floppy:
1: soak it with water,
2: stretch it in your hands,
3: let it sit to dry.
I have no real use for it, but it's an interesting effect.
Back to top
 

Regards,
Lewis
WWW  
IP Logged
 
NooneOfConsequence
Slinging.org Moderator
*****
Offline



Posts: 2983
Texas
Re: Natural fiber treatments
Reply #10 - Feb 2nd, 2021 at 6:24am
 
SerKraus wrote on Feb 2nd, 2021 at 12:17am:
My jute slings have never ever broken. You must be making a mistake while braiding. The only time jute failed me was when I was new to braiding and made a tapering error. Even then, it didn’t break and would have happened to any other material provided I had braided it the same way.


Ah, young Padawan... do not put so much faith in your own personal experiences. The world is more rich and more complicated than the small bubble of one’s personal experiences. Also, your logic is not sound:

1. “This hasn’t happened to me personally”
2. “Therefore the answer is X”

A lack of information is not positive proof upon which to draw conclusions...yet you answer in bold absolute statements.
Back to top
 

“My final hour is at hand. We face an enemy more numerous and cunning than the world has yet seen. Remember your training, and do not fear the hordes of Judas. I, without sin, shall cast the first stone. That will be your sign to attack! But you shall not fight this unholy enemy with stones. No! RAZOR GLANDES!  Aim for the eyes! May the Lord have mercy, for we shall show none!“  -Jesus the Noodler
 
IP Logged
 
NooneOfConsequence
Slinging.org Moderator
*****
Offline



Posts: 2983
Texas
Re: Natural fiber treatments
Reply #11 - Feb 2nd, 2021 at 7:09am
 
Archaic Arms wrote on Feb 2nd, 2021 at 4:53am:
If you want to make any plant fibre braid really loose and floppy:
1: soak it with water,
2: stretch it in your hands,
3: let it sit to dry.
I have no real use for it, but it's an interesting effect.


I think it’s going to take more than water, but that might be worth a try too for comparison.

One substance that looks like it may have some promise is methyl salicylate. It’s an esther of salicylic acid, which shows up in a lot of commercial applications. I just need to find a good source for buying it in small quantities.
Back to top
 

“My final hour is at hand. We face an enemy more numerous and cunning than the world has yet seen. Remember your training, and do not fear the hordes of Judas. I, without sin, shall cast the first stone. That will be your sign to attack! But you shall not fight this unholy enemy with stones. No! RAZOR GLANDES!  Aim for the eyes! May the Lord have mercy, for we shall show none!“  -Jesus the Noodler
 
IP Logged
 
Scorpion Vin
Descens
***
Offline


Still slinging better
than archery!

Posts: 209
Gender: male
Re: Natural fiber treatments
Reply #12 - Feb 2nd, 2021 at 7:50am
 
NooneOfConsequence wrote on Feb 2nd, 2021 at 7:09am:
salicylic acid

You reminded me of my little bottle of this substance, I used it as a medicine against acne on the face  Grin
Back to top
 

"Do you know, that in a universe so full of wonders, they have managed to invent boredom.” ― Terry Pratchett
 
IP Logged
 
NooneOfConsequence
Slinging.org Moderator
*****
Offline



Posts: 2983
Texas
Re: Natural fiber treatments
Reply #13 - Feb 2nd, 2021 at 8:16am
 
Scorpion Vin wrote on Feb 2nd, 2021 at 7:50am:
NooneOfConsequence wrote on Feb 2nd, 2021 at 7:09am:
salicylic acid

You reminded me of my little bottle of this substance, I used it as a medicine against acne on the face  Grin


Hmmm... maybe. I don’t know if any form of salicylic acid works or if you need the methylated esther. I would be really careful treating slings with concentrated salicylic acid anyway unless you really know what you are doing. It might be better to look for some sort of dilute gel or something with a lower concentration.
Back to top
 

“My final hour is at hand. We face an enemy more numerous and cunning than the world has yet seen. Remember your training, and do not fear the hordes of Judas. I, without sin, shall cast the first stone. That will be your sign to attack! But you shall not fight this unholy enemy with stones. No! RAZOR GLANDES!  Aim for the eyes! May the Lord have mercy, for we shall show none!“  -Jesus the Noodler
 
IP Logged
 
Morphy
Slinging.org Moderator
*****
Offline


Checkmate

Posts: 8102
Re: Natural fiber treatments
Reply #14 - Feb 2nd, 2021 at 8:35am
 
Some of you guys must have much better jute than I've ever used. I've had 8 strand 5mm round braids from jute break on me in a few days or much less even. An equivalent Irish linen cord with all the proper protection would probably last many years.
Back to top
 
 
IP Logged
 
Pages: 1 2 3 
Send Topic Print
(Moderators: Curious Aardvark, Morphy, Rat Man, vetryan15, Kick, Chris, joe_meadmaker)