the million dollar question...

[The Vanilla Gorilla]

Sittin here on the couch with my bow in my lap and I'm stretchin out this new B50 string that I had made for it.  

This is how I spend a Friday night.

Anyway I'm looking over this string, as well as some of the strings on other bows on the wall and I'm thinkin...

Why are strings served so far up and down past the nocking point?  There's 9.5" of serving on a string that's on this 52" bow.  

Even if I shoot 3 under I've still got over 3" of serving below my bottom fingers.

Just curious as to why so much serving is used...

[Benny Nganabbarru]

To protect the string from constantly hitting your arm.

[Grey Taylor]

What Ben said.
Plus, the person making the string doesn't have the bow there to get that serving dimension perfect. He, or she, has to guesstimate to a degree where the serving should go and how long it should be. Better to err on the side of a little too long than to make it too short or in the wrong spot.

Guy

[slivrslingr]

You mean to prevent wear to the string when it hits your arm?

[Ray]

To protect the string when it slaps your arm.It won't stop it from hitting your arm but it would be better for the serving to frey then the bow string benieth it.---Please send the million to
Ray @ smartypants lane,Thank you verymuch.

[sweeney3]

Right.  The idea is to protect the string from being damaged so quickly from slapping your arm/coat/clothing/sleeve/whatever.  'Course, with a combination of an arm guard and good form, you shouldn't be hitting your arm too much anyway, but it still happens some with weird positions and whatnot.  I dunno how quickly it would wear without that much serving, but the function is to protect the string.  

That said, new strings are fun and easy to make, so...

[crotch horn]

Ray, I want a portion of that money because you forgot to mention that the nocking point will vary as the bow is tuned. Also to protect the string from contact with the face on anchor & release. So if you could forward a portion to Dan@smartypants2 that would be great!
   

[Rob DiStefano]

size the center serving length below the nock point according to where the string hits yer forearm (if it does hit yer arm).

all my bowstrings have 4" center servings since i don't use an armguard and have no string slap.

[Orion]

9 1/2inches is on the long side. Most servings are closer to 7 1/2 inches. Short bows have high brace heights so the string is unlikely to hit your bow arm .  Could go even shorter on the serving, like Rob does.  If you're getting your strings custom made for you,  the string maker will adjust the serving size to the length you want.

[The Vanilla Gorilla]

I have my strings made for me, but not really custom. Just tell him what length and material. He does the rest. I never really paid much attention to it until last nite.

I think a 4" serving like Rob does would be perfect. I don't wear arm guard and never have an issue with arm slap after the bow is tuned.

Wish I could make my own strings but I don't have much use in either of my thumbs after a brake press accident! Hope I never have to thumb a ride on the highway!

Thanks for the answers fellas!

[FerretWYO]

When I reserve mine I use 5 inches of serving.

[Burnsie]

Don't wear an arm guard, it's a rare occurrance if the string hits my arm.

[Bowmania]

For all you guys that don't hit your arm, what happens when your wearing 3 wool shirts and a wool jacket?

Bowmania

[The Vanilla Gorilla]

Originally posted by Bowmania:
For all you guys that don't hit your arm, what happens when your wearing 3 wool shirts and a wool jacket?

Bowmania

I go hunt some place warmer.

[Don Stokes]

Bowmania, that's the only time I use an arm guard, to compress the layers.

[Lefty]

I also re-serve mine with a 5" serving.  I don't hit my arm and only wear and armguard when I hunt, just to keep the clothes out of the way.
  Dang Bowmania!  It gets cold here in Iowa too, but I never had to wear three wool shirts and a wool jacket at the same time!  I don't think I could draw my bow with that much clothes on, LOL!