String for canteen stopper

[D.W. Scalf]

Sorry if this has already been discussed. I did a search and couldn't find anything among the hundreds of canteen threads. I'm looking to replace the string on a few of my canteen (stoppers). Anybody know a good source for suitable string? Dan Wambaugh told me that WW&Co uses plain cotton string. I just can't find any down here in Australia that I consider suitable. I just don't have the time to beat the bushes for it. Anyone have a line on someone that sells good, thicker cotton string that would be as period correct as possible?

Thanks!
D.W. (Trace) Scalf

[doughboy]

http://www.woodedhamlet.com/cords_ro...twistcord.html

[welshman15]

Mine broke and I used waxed thread that I had left over from from repairing a split seam on my brogans. It answered very well. I got the thread from a craft store (in the leatherworking section) so you may try that if there's one close to your location.

[Boyd Miles]

Go to a toy store and get yo-yo string.

[Jim Mayo]

Go here and see some original string.

http://www.angelfire.com/ma4/j_mayo/uscanteen.html

From what I have seen on originals all string was not the same size but the length was important. You can make a good string using string from a hardware store. See the page to determine the weight of the string. Cut to length, soak in some tea to give it a natural color. Then draw it over bees wax untill it has some body.

[D.W. Scalf]

I've been to Woodedhamlet before, but they were out of what I wanted. I'll give them a call. Jimmy, I should have talked to you first. I do go to your website...often. It's what I compare to. If I can find some a bit thicker than what I have, I'll do the beeswax thing. I think I read a thread a while back on the AC where you talked about it, but I couldn't find it yesterday. I have plenty of beeswax. Boyd, I did see yo-yo string on ebay, and wondered about it. Scott, I'm thinking waxed thread would be a bit thin for my "liking", though it might work fine, and could/would have at the time. Thanks for the input!

D.W.(Trace)Scalf

[Marc Shaffer]

I "unwound" a length of string and through experimentation, took out some of the single threads and "rewound" it to a thinner string that is close to the ones pictured in McDonnell's new book on canteens. It was a pain to do, but turned out ok in the end.

[Spinster]

Now, I'm going on looks alone, and don't know if a textile analysis has been done.

Why are y'all talking cotton string for this task?

Looks like waxed hemp cordage to me. Much more common fiber then.

And readily available now in big box craft stores.


But I've been wrong before.......

[Craig L Barry]

Now, I'm going on looks alone, and don't know if a textile analysis has been done.

Why are y'all talking cotton string for this task?

Looks like waxed hemp cordage to me. Much more common fiber then.

And readily available now in big box craft stores.


But I've been wrong before.......

The Spinster is correct. Wound linen or hemp twine. Fred Gaede suggested an outfit called "Ropesmith."
They made a copy of an original cork wire in his collection for him and sell them for $1. And I think the email was
something easy like ropesmith@aol.com.

[Jim Mayo]

For what it's worth on page 113 of Mike Odonnell canteen book he refers to one example canteen as having doubled cotton twine. I wouldn't be surprised if other materials were also used.