Made my first Flemish Bowstring

[Mike Vines]

Well, I built my first flemish string jig yesterday, and when I got home, I quickly proceded to start making a new string for my 6 year old's bow.  Well, everything was going great, I had both loops completed then I started twisting the sting to shorten it up.  Still everything was going great.  I pulled on the string a few times, and was amazed how easy this really was...Then I pulld on it one more time, and POW, the string came undone.  I quicly realized I had twisted the string in the wrong direction and it unraveled.  So I tossed it in the trash (because of bad MOJO) and proceded to make another, and within 10 minutes, I was out in the back yard slinging arrows with it.  

I was trully amazed how easy it was to make my own.  So from here on out, I will be saving my money and making my own for the family.  

I do need to thank my friend Matt, fellow Counsel member of Michigan Longbow Association, for showing me the simplicity of how it is done.  It's organizations like this that make life so much easier.  Just good, like minded people willing to help when ever we can.

Anyone else have the same problem when they made their first sting?

[KEG]

Congratulations. Now you can become like the rest of us and and always be trying different materials, amount of strands, etc.

[Ranger B]

Be careful - it's addictive. You'll wear your fingers out before you know what's going on  

[Mike Vines]

The one I made for his 25# longbow was a 10 strand.  I figured a 12 strand would be to much. His arrows no longer snap on.   That was the whole reason for me making one.  His arrows would come out of his bow fishtailing something bad, and being his arrows are for up to a 35# arrow, the string was the only other option I had to monkey with, and it solved all the problems.  I probably could have gone with a 12 strand and I will if he starts chirping up about how his arrow keeps falling off the string.  

Yes Traditional archery is VERY addicting.  I've been in it for 9 years now, and built my own recurve (which I have taken a turkey, pheasants, deer and even carp with) a longbow that I actually broke while shooting when I got home from Compton, and I'm thinking about getting into self bows seeing as both times I laminated the other bows up, I was in the emergency room from the epoxy fumes.  So a couple near death experiences have taught me to shy away from epoxy.  The worst part is it took me twice to realize the problem.  I have a hard time learning from my own mistakes.  But I have loved just about every moment of it.

[LBR]

It's not uncommon for folks starting out to twist the loops in opposite directions...but danged if I can figure out how!  I don't think I could do that if I was trying...not talented enough...

[walkabout]

congrats on the first useable string. it really seems daunting at first but after you figure out not to twist the opposite end wrong it is really very simple. i think it takes me about 15 minutes give or take depending on if im making a really long string or a normal sized one. if your sons arrows fall off you could always serve the string(if you havent already) i actually wrapped on a nocking point on my last string for my primitive bow, didnt want any brass messing up the look of the bow. top of the nocking point is just enough for the arrows to snap and stay on without being too tight and the bottom is multiple wraps to allow the nock to rest on it for proper nock height.

[Mike Vines]

I did wrap a serving around it after I shot it last night.  I left it strung all night to allow it to stretch, and tonight I will put the nock on, and let him start letting the feathered shafts fly.