Long awaited Solomon club

Timo Nieminen · 28th June 2014, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Simmons

In the collecting world one is not to polish clubs, a big no no, but in there real life they would have been nourished with oils and kept like any soldier keeps their gun.

What oils would they have used?

Tim Simmons · 29th June 2014, 07:26 AM

Coconut oil and probably other plant extracts.

Timo Nieminen · 30th June 2014, 01:13 AM

Would their bows normally be oiled with the same? I'm thinking that, if so, it might be wise to do the same if I'm going to try shooting one.

Tim Simmons · 30th June 2014, 06:31 PM

What I have seen of Solomon Island bows is that they are quite big like English long bows. I cannot believe that somebody with the ability to draw a long bow would neglect the condition of the wood. I would be most interested in your results.

Tim Simmons · 30th June 2014, 08:27 PM

Just having a search about bow care and found this. Oil your bow with linseed oil.
http://www.northwoodtraditionalarche...intenance.html

Timo Nieminen · 30th June 2014, 11:12 PM

Linseed oil is the standard modern bow oil, but not available traditionally in New Guinea and the Solomons. It is an option, from a performance point of view, but I'm interested in trying the traditional solution.

English practice used to be to use a mix of wax, rosin, and tallow (Sir John Smythe, Certain Discourses Military, 1590, wherein he argued for retention of the longbow as a major military weapon). Pig fat could be another option.

29th June 2014, 07:26 AM	#2
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,875	Coconut oil and probably other plant extracts.

30th June 2014, 01:13 AM	#3
Timo Nieminen Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 422	Would their bows normally be oiled with the same? I'm thinking that, if so, it might be wise to do the same if I'm going to try shooting one.

30th June 2014, 06:31 PM	#4
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,875	What I have seen of Solomon Island bows is that they are quite big like English long bows. I cannot believe that somebody with the ability to draw a long bow would neglect the condition of the wood. I would be most interested in your results.

30th June 2014, 08:27 PM	#5
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,875	Just having a search about bow care and found this. Oil your bow with linseed oil. http://www.northwoodtraditionalarche...intenance.html

30th June 2014, 11:12 PM	#6
Timo Nieminen Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 422	Linseed oil is the standard modern bow oil, but not available traditionally in New Guinea and the Solomons. It is an option, from a performance point of view, but I'm interested in trying the traditional solution. English practice used to be to use a mix of wax, rosin, and tallow (Sir John Smythe, Certain Discourses Military, 1590, wherein he argued for retention of the longbow as a major military weapon). Pig fat could be another option.