Confusing String Issue-HELP

[BCD]

Ok this is really weird. I had been shooting my Marriah Thermal and Hoyt GM with a standard 18 strand FF string from 3 rivers. I recently ordered custom 12 strand strings with padded loops. If I shoot the bows with my 18 strand strings I almost never experience forearm slap, but when I use the 12 strand I hit my forearm on nearly every shot. I've been experimenting with this for almost 3 weeks and it has to be the string. On my thermal, I can shoot 7 1/4 brace with the 18 strand string and never hit my arm, but hit my arm almost every shot with the 12 strand string even with the brace as high as 7 5/8. I've been shooting trad for about 16 years and have never experienced anyhthing like this.

Any thoughts?

Thank you

[Shawn Leonard]

Yup, that is weird. Never heard of that just by changing string material. I can shoot any material and as long as I keep the brace the same, no problems! Shawn

[draco]

That is strange,and I truly dont know what to tell you. But I have a longbow I built and everybody that shoots it hits their arm. I`ve put it next to a dozen other bows I`ve built and can see no differance in anything.Times like these is when I wished I lived next door to O.L. Adcock!

[Mr.Chuck]

The 12 strand may dig deeper into your finger groove, creating a wider paradox of the string. You might go to a thicker serving to help.   Just a thought! :-)

[snag]

Compromise with 14 strand string...? Might even try a tab to see if it is the glove's grooves that are making the 12 strand not release as well as the 18. You might find that with the tab the 12 strand works great. I have been a glove guy all along. I was convinced to try a tab by someone that is very knowledgeable and experienced. He said that there is a reason all the good tournament archers use tabs! Can't argue with that!

[fingers]

Does the serving fit the arrow nocks the same?