Thread: What is this ?
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Unread 07-30-2022, 08:25 PM   #8
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Tow is the by product of flax processing into linen

It’s the rougher outer material. It was used in colonial day to make cloth for some worker’s clothing- sort of like a dense burlap. I had a set of knee breeches and a shirt made of it when I did 18th century re-enactments

I also carried a bit of raw tow in my bag for cleaning- I was at a local living history museum one day when they were spinning and weaving linen. They were piling the tow to the side and when I asked what they were going to do with it- they told me take it. So I did - our whole unit had all they could use. After cleaning a bore, let it dry and you have tinder for your fire
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