Linen Bowstring?

[DLH]

I noticed in the TBB IV that TIm Baker used linen for all of his bowstrings on the bows he tested. Does anyone know how to make them or have any experience with them? That interested me and seemed like it was working well for him thought I would ask the bench...

[Osagetree]

Did it once, years back but can't recall how many strands per LB. I think if you did some searching here or on the Net you'd find some info.

[Art B]

Think of a linen string as piece of wire. You bend it enough it'll break. The more you twist it, serve it tight, the harder it becomes and the quicker it'll break. You can get more wear out of a linen string if you filp the string and start bending in a different spot.

I think that the quality of linen string today is less than years past. You can still make usable strings but it's life is pretty limited. Here's a couple things that I hope will help you out.

Use on longer bows (string angle where you nock the arrow will be less).

Make the string up in the direction of it's twist (for flimish twist), usually clock-wise.

Flip the string after about 100 shots.

Use no serving or light twist serving.

Eight strands is about all I could use for proper nock fit.

If you do self-nocks then you can use a higher strand count because you can easly fit the arrow nock.

When it's all said and done, with the quality lined available today, it's probably not worth the trouble........Art

[deadahead]

Get some Coats Barbour 18/3 Irish linen unwaxed string/cord. I did strength test on the stuff I bought and it was around 20-22 lbs per string tested. Calculate what you need to match your bows draw weight and you will have a very nice bow string. Also found some long fiber hemp cord/string and this works nicley for bow strings also.

[Art B]

Here's a must read if you're interested in making linen strings

 http://paleoplanet69529.yuku.com/topic/16297/Let-s-Find-the-Best-Source-of-Linen-String?page=1

[deadahead]

Yea I forgot about that piece on PP thanks for finding it. I also had a typo on my first responce and I am using 18/3 linen string and so far I have had no issues with a the few strings I have made so far. I will try the 25/3 string also as it appears to be very strong.

[hova]

ill be picking up some b50 tomorrow. the artificial sinew just isnt doing it for me anymore...


-hov

[Art B]

What type of strings (endless or flimish) are you making Deadahead? And how many shots on your present strings? I was getting maybe 200 shots on the (Pyrosupply) linen strings I was using before they broke. Art

[deadahead]

I just started making my own bow strings and have only attempted flemish twist. I have made strings with both linen and hemp. They all have about maybe 200 shots on them. Unfortunatley it very cold and snowy here Minnesota and have not been outside to do much shooting lately. So I guess I can't really give a deeply accurate report on durability of these strings that I have made from linen or hemp. But I can say that they have worked well so far.