Processing flax cordage?


justin_baker

justin_baker

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My mother just trimmed the flax plants in the front yard, and now I have a TON to work with. I want to make a whole bunch of cordage.
Anyways, what's the best way to process these? I have made a decent amount of natural cordage before, but mostly just twisting green stuff around the camp fire. Usually rough and hasty, and often cracks and breaks after a couple weeks.
Should I dry the leaves first? Or should beat them up and then dry the fibers? This stuff is very flat, not a lot of pulp so it's a little harder to break it up compared to more stalky plants or the meaty agave/yucca leaves. But this stuff is REALLY STRONG.
Any things I should do to make this easier? I want to make some good quality, long lasting stuff. I'm not in a hurry and this will take a while to get through it all.
Added a pic of the plant.
 

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Are you sure it is flax?
Doesn`t look like the flax (Linum usitatissimum) I know.

800px-Linum-ground-cover.JPG
 
That is New Zealand Flax?Phormium tenax New Zealand flax I think? like Tor said Different beast but but both have their Uses Im Sure.
I was reading about that one in the pic not to long ago I will try to redig the info up.

Most fiber processing is done keeping the materal moist the whole process not soupy but just to keep it pliable.
Take care
M/BK

PS Tor That Is A Beautiful Pic Mate
Take care
M/BK
 
Hmmm.... I am just wondering the best way to expose the fibers. Should I just keep beating the crap out of it? That will take a while. It's super flat and hard to get decent impacts on it. Should I rough it up and try and scrape out the fibers?
When I need quick cordage, I usually just peel off thin strips by hand but compared to getting the actual fibers, is not as good or long lasting.
 
Not to sure about that plant Justin
But for Agave I have roasted/steamed the whole big leaf buried under a long fire dig a trench cover with dirt and small rocks maitain the fire for a couple of hours and the mushy slimey cellulose can be washed away yielding enough white long fiber to outfit a aging 80's hair band in wigs... Yuccas and Sotol can be lightly pounded when dry on a padded surface and the fibers will separate from the dried cellulose dampen that before twisting and test it not to rotten before doing to much work greenleaves can be stripped thin and rolled through the hands( may cause mild dermatitis) and twisted or braded on the spot aquick scrape wth the fingernail cleans those fibers well...The plant you have I would try steaming or a short bath in boiling water and see if the can separate from the cellulose.
Hope that helps
M/BK
 
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