What diam and type center serving material, that's finger-friendly?

[ItzaKen]

Hello All,

What diam. and kind of center serving material should I use for a 14 strand, D10/Force 10, Flemish twist string to fit a 11/32" and fit a 5/16" Bohning Classic nock? (I also have nocks which are in between these, but I need to know where to start.)

I want something that's friendly to my leather glove.  I've read that some material can be abrasive and I certainly don't want that.

Thank you, All !
Ken

[Flem]

Monofilament nylon. It's dirt cheap so you can afford to have many diameters. It starts round and stays round, just like the inside of your nocks. And it's as historically trad as any synthetic material. The only problem is it can become brittle over long periods of time and UV exposure, or so I have heard

[ItzaKen]

If it's simply monofilament, seems like I could use a fishing line, like Trilene, or P-Line.

I used to use "real" mono serving on my endless strings and then, pour hot water over the serving to tighten it up.  Dunno if that's smart, or not.

The downside of mono is how "hard" it feels on the fingers; I like to shoot a thinner glove.

[Flem]

Thats what I use, fishing line. It's made to stand up to physical stress and to be outside in harsh conditions.
 

[ItzaKen]

Good info, right here!  http://www.bcyfibers.com/Serving.php

[dnovo]

No way I would ever use monofilament. I can’t count the number of times I’ve seen it break and the number of times I’ve fixed it for guys to continue on in a shoot. I think it’s junk especially with the material like Spectra that wears like iron

[ItzaKen]

I just ordered some 0.024" Halo to serve 14 strands of D10/Force 10/SK78.

[Bowguy67]

Easy on the Palmolive! Just kidding buddy. Idk boys I’ve shoot about everything, I agree w the negativity towards mono. I’ve seen it break way too many times and at inconvenient times as well. If I told ya how many times I’ve seen it break at 3D events, hunter ed, etc when mono was prevalent it was constant. The only reason it happens less frequently now is because it’s simply not used commonly.
I’ve also never noticed a real difference between serving materials. My hands are calloused pretty good though. I’d be more concerned about nock fit than figure the rest out. If your glove is too light for your liking change it if need be.

[McDave]

I've used Halo ever since it came out, and found it to be so much better than anything I used before that I’ve never considered using anything else since I first tried it.  I find that .021 works well on 14 strands of B10 with the snap-on nocks I use, but it is possible that .024 might work better with different nocks or a different brand of string.

[ItzaKen]

Thanks!!
I like a thinner glove, for feeling the string; my ring finger is heavily callused and wide...  ;=)
I was told that I was drawing/holding incorrectly.... I draw and then I see that I shift the weight to that one finger.  There are a couple/several of positives to that, compared to holding/releasing with all fingers.

Serving diam;  Since I'm getting this from a nearby Cabela's and able to send it back, I can do a test wrap and check the fit.

I've always "adjusted" my nocks, to where they barely hold, when the arrow's hanging down, on/off the string.  I do this by heating the nock on hot water and then, either spreading with a very small screwdriver shaft, and pinching it closer, 'round the string, 'til I get the exact fit.

Some have chided/warned me 'bout this one, too, but I'm 65 and been shooting since I was 3yrs old and the only problem I've had with nocks, so far, is when they meet the point end of an incoming arrow.

I'd like to hear thoughts from experienced ones.

[ItzaKen]

McDave,  What weight bow are you using your 14 strand on and how many strands are your loops?

[McDave]

I use 14 strands on 35-45# bows, and I pad the loops with one additional strand in each bundle to make 16 strands.

[ItzaKen]

Thanks!

[Tedd]

Older style braided center serving is easier on the fingers than Halo. Also it is less slippery. If your using a deep hook the Halo might be best. If you are holding more open handed and toward the tips the extra traction of braided will help with a secure hold. I recently started shooting more open handed w my old Halo. My fingers hurt a little and the string slipped to quick. on a whim I changed it to braided and liked it much better.
Tedd

[ItzaKen]

Very good info, Tedd!!  I do NOT deep finger; rather than a "claw" hold, it's more like a gibbon hand.
https://www.mindenpictures.com/cache/pcache2/90192639.jpg

I DO have other materials; some have been replaced by "upgrades", over the decades... HA!
I have used mono in the past; very hard.

What serving material are you using??

[ItzaKen]

I've decided to go with the 62xs.  I have it in a smaller diam and I have the older, #62 in larger diams.
When my bow gets here, I'll twist up a 2-bundle, 14 strand of D10/Force 10, with 2 extra strands for the loops.

I'll then serve it with diff diams material, 'til I find the right fit for my Bohning Classic nocks and will go from there.

It's been quite a process to pour through the many sites and posts from so many.  I was lucky and happy to find helpful individuals who have similar shooting styles and experiences. 

You've all been a great help!  Thank you All.

[MnFn]

Good post. I might take the plunge and try to make my own string.

[ItzaKen]

When you do start your own string making, you 'might' see about getting some inexpensive string, 2 diff colors, if you're Flemish twisting.  If there's a trad club near you, there might be a geezer like me, with a bunch of "stuff" to just give you.  Get some bowstring maker's wax, which is much stickier than regular bowstring wax.

There are many good Youtubes and very helpful people on this site!  There's even a FB/Meta group:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/395840790828933

As with anything, it takes some practice to get the "look" and performance you want.  Remember to add backtwist and stretch in your string. 
Good luck!!