Misplaced string for self bow

[Diane.A]

Hi
I have a self bow 63" nock to nock. Smooth is hop hornbeam with slightly recurved walnut tips she was made by Marc St Lois. #48@ 28.  

I have B 50 material and I know it stretches a bit, What Length 3" shorter for 60" or 4" shorter for 59". I have made strings for my Carsage.  
Thanks for your advice    

[Roy from Pa]

I have found that with B50, I make the string an inch shorter, then when put on the bow for the first time it stretches right out.

[frank bullitt]

I would contact Marc. A static recurve can be simular in string length as a longbow, verses a full working recurve. Which in most cases run about 4- 4.5 in. shorter.

If you can, make up a tillering string,  to find the length needed at the proper brace height.

[macbow]

Agree with Roy. B50 will stretch and them flemmish ends will slip a little.
So I'd,shoot for 59".

[Pat B]

Make a Flemish string with a loop at the top and bowyers knot on the bottom. I use B-50 on all my bows and make my strings like with a bowyers knot and have for years.
 I prestretch my strings while making them. Once the string is twisted I place the loop over a hook and after waxing the string I vigorously rub the string with a piece of soft leather while pulling the tag end. The rubbing heats the string and pulling it stretches it. I then brace the bow, lay the back across my knees and push the tips forcing the string to stretch. After I do this I get very little stretch from the string.

[macbow]

Pat B , the strings Ed Scott used to make were,like that.
His bowyers knot end was,sort of woven. Do you do something like that. Couldn't figure it out.

[fujimo]

i do a lot of my strings the same way too-
i start by making an endless loop string. and serve the top loop, then i cut all the looped ends for the bottom. then i just braid the last 10 or 12" start with a loose braid and get progressively tighter. then tie a good tight overhand knot in the end- done!

i also pre stretch my B50- by hanging a 5 gallon pail of rocks from the end of my anticipated string length- all laid up like a endless loop - i do it overnight- good to go!

[macbow]

That is interesting.
To get the right length on lay up do you add some inches to leave room for bowyers hitch?

[Pat B]

I just twist the string into a rat tail but I have seen 3 or 4 ply braided ends.  For the length I think I add about 6 or 8" to the tip/tip bow length to cut the strands before twisting.

[macbow]

Thanks

[Diane.A]

Thanks guys I like the bowyers hitch idea and on the how to, too.

[passion for knowledge]

There are lots of tutorials on youtube regarding Flemish Twist strings and jigs.

I've made quite a few.

Nice thing is, if you screw up, you can undo one end and redo to a new length - it's a bit tedious, but not too hard. Make sure you use plenty of wax, by the way.

I tend to err on the side of slightly too long - you can always add a few more twists to shorten it a bit. This works well on a longbow. If you leave the string on the bow when you unstring, the twists you put in will stay put. If you are using a takedown, the string can untwist in storage so you may have to adjust before shooting.
Not a huge deal.

I made a serving jig out of some scrap aluminum and a nut and bolt that works perfectly.

I use B50.

Start off using two colours - way easier to keep track of things.

[fujimo]

if you are taking a two loop  string off the bow- keep it twisted as it was- take the one nock loop and put it thru the other loop just so that the loop is sticking out a bit, now take the other loop and put it back through the top of the other partially exposed loop, kinda looks like a figure 8 now. then pull the center portion of the string down and snug it all up. then it wont untwist- when you put it on the bow- don't let it untwist- and put it back on the bow!! same as it was!!
 kinda hard to explain- sorry!!!

[Pat B]

You can Google "bowyers knot" or "timber hitch". Both are the same and probably one of the most traditional way to attach a bow string.

[passion for knowledge]

Fujimo....

I think I get what you are saying - I'll find out next time I go out with the take-down.
It's not a big deal to unstring and add a few twists to get the right brace - practice may not make perfect, but it sure helps!

I've been shooting the last maple bow I made a lot more, recently. Seems to just fit me, somehow. I'm more accurate and consistent with it than I am with any of my other 3 bows.

[fujimo]

cool !