Question for flemish string makers

[J. Holden]

I am in the process of obtaining my materials to try my hand at string making.  I am wondering though about a few thing's.  I've read anything over 50# is 14 strands, under 50# is 12 strands.  Any opinions?  I'm also wondering about length.  I understand a recurve get 4" longer than the bow and a longbow gets 3" longer.  Does the same go for a self bow?  Does it matter?

I'm wanting to make a B50 string for a 65" ntn osage selfbow.  Right now it is at 60#.  I have some final tillering to do and then shoot it in.  I'm assuming I'll lose a few #'s, the bow will too!    

Recomendations anyone?  Thanks!

-Jeremy  

[Don Armstrong]

Jeremy, the strings will be 4" less than the bow length on a recurve and 3" on a longbow. Example would be, a 62" recurve would take a 58" string. Selfbows are the same as glass bow when making string, for length. All string material will stetch some with B50 being the worse. You will need to make your strings with this in mind. I have made a couple hundred flemish strings and still strugle with the amount of stetch. The thinner you make the string the more stretch you will get. I hope this helps and some of the better string makers should be along to add some expertise. Don

[J. Holden]

Thanks for chiming in Don.  Are my assumptions correct in regards to string count?  14 strands for over 50#?  I'm sure there's some sort of chart or table in regards to string amount and poundage.

I also came up with another question, can artificial sinew be used for string making?  I watched a youtube video and the maker was using artificial sinew.  I wasn't sure if he was using it just because or if it could be physically used on a bow.  Any thoughts?

-Jeremy  

[JRY309]

I generally make mine 3" shorter for both recurves and longbows.My 62" Martin Hunter I'll make a 59",made a 59" string for a buddys 62" BW MAII.I made a 59" string for a 62" Martin Savannah.I just go 3" shorter but use a 1" longer mark on recurves because I'll make a bigger loop.But I too like to measure the actual bows length from nock to nock.They are not always as marked on them.

[LBR]

"I've read anything over 50# is 14 strands, under 50# is 12 strands."

Depends on the string material and your personal preferances.  That's a good rule of thumb for dacron.  Over 65-70#, I'd go with 15-16 strands.


"I understand a recurve get 4" longer than the bow and a longbow gets 3" longer. Does the same go for a self bow? Does it matter?"

That's the old rule of thumb.  AMO says 3" shorter, longbow or recurve--actually it says the bow should be marked as 3" longer than the "string master" (steel cable) that puts it at proper brace.  Neither are 100% reliable.  I take orders by actual string length, as there are lots of bows that don't follow either "rule".  I've made recurve strings anywhere from 2.5" to 6" shorter, longbow strings from 1.5" to 4" shorter.  For the selfbow, 3" shorter is a starting point, but may or may not be on the money.


"...can artificial sinew be used for string making?"

It can, but it makes an awful string.  Stretches like crazy.

Here is a link to the AMO specs.

 http://www.texasarchery.org/Documents/AMO/AMOStandards.pdf

I've made well over 10,000 strings and been involved in two string-making videos...and I'm still learning things.  

Chad

[Grey Taylor]

The AMO standard for string length is 3" shorter than the bow's AMO length for both recurves and longbows.
Unfortunately that doesn't always work.
I've found the best thing to do is use a tillering string (loop on one end and an adjustable bowyer's knot on the other) to work the bow as it is built. Shorten the string as the bow is built and once the bow is finished and shot in the tillering string can be measured to get the proper string length.
For B-50, B-55, and B-500, the standard I use for strand count is:
20-30lb - 8 strands
25-35lb - 10 strand
35-45lb - 12 strand
45-55lb - 14 strand
55-80lb - 16 strand
Do not use artificial sinew for bowstrings. It's usually made of nylon and the stretch is horrendous, robbing the bow of considerable performance.

Guy

[Grey Taylor]

Dang it! Chad beat me to it.

Guy

[J. Holden]

Thanks for the wisdom!  I knew I was coming to the right place.

-Jeremy