Flemish versus endless loop strings, whats your pick and why?

[koger]

I have been on here, got some advice, started making my own strings and like everything else associated with trad archery love it. Have made a couple of flemish and endless loop, the endless sure come outlooking better, easier and quicker to make for me. I know a lot of you guys like the flemish strings because of tradition, stronger in the loops and so on. That being said, when I ran a pro-shop for 12 years, I never had an enless loop string on a trad or wheelie bow break in the loops, always at the nock pinch point or around a peep sight,kisser button, etc. The guy who now owns the shop has had the same experiences over the year. I am leaning more towards making the endless loop for my bows, I dont have a problem with their looks, and they are quicker and easier for me to make. I know back in the 70's, at least in this area you never saw anything but endless loop strings, and Flemish strings have just come into vogue in the past few years.Just wanted to see what all of you guys thought.

[wharvey]

In my case it is mainly looks. However I do like the fact that flemish string jigs are a lot smaller and easier to make. Another possibly BIG advantage is that you can throw one together without a jig if necessary.

[Deadsmple]

I think if you are still using b50 an endless string will stretch the least. From my limited experience with modern materials I believe there would be not significant difference between flemish and endless when it comes to stretch and breaking in.

That said I make both but I find that I make more flemish strings. I think probably because I can make them quicker without the hassle of needing a jig. My jig for an endless string just takes up too much space, it would be a pain to bring it into my living room in front of the tube.

I have found that if I stick with the formula of bow length ntn + 10 inches - intended brace height = string length untwisted, I can't go wrong. If I cut all my strands that length I could make as many strings as I want from the comfort of my lounge chair.

[Jerry Jeffer]

Vaughn, that sounds very cool. I was wondering how you were getting such nice strings done so quick.

[freefeet]

I make flemish cause spirals cut through air faster.  At least that's what i was told as to why they have those spiral wind cutters on the outside of tall thin industrial chimneys.

[PV]

I make both and find I build a lot more flemish.Faster and less serving.
I do see most of the guy's going for speed using endless.

[Orion]

You already mentioned one advantage of flemish strings -- strength at the limb tips.  All the string's strands go around the limb tips.  For folks who know how to spin a serving, endless loops are quite a bit faster to make.  On the other hand, a jig isn't needed to make a flemish string.  On recurves, an endless loop string is  definitely noisier because of the serving, in the past nylon or monofilament, now usually a more high tech material, slapping the limbs as the bow tips come back to rest at the end of the shot.  

After they're shot in, one isn't faster than the other, all other things being equal, though some would argue this.

Pretty much a personal preference.  Whatever floats your boat.

[kevsuperg]

i,ve made and tried both and i have found i like to use a flemish string with a timber hitch.only need to make one loop and its basically infinetly adjustable. 14-16 strand 3 ply b-50.

[Missouri Sherpa]

I have made both.  I never became proficient at the flemish twist.   They looked pretty but it was a struggle for me.  I shoot super shrews and  I can whip up a 6 strand endless loop for them pretty quickly.  Thin is good, and looks are not that important to me.

[akbowbender]

I like the looks and the extra strength of the loops on a flemish twist string. Also, the serving at the loops on an endless string can be a maintenance headache.

[Jason Jelinek]

I've built both.  I prefer to build Flemish because I can build one without a jig.  I make my Flemish 3 bundle all with the same color, so it's not about looks for me.

Jason

[GINKSTER]

I like flemish strings for all the reasons listed above, and they just look really cool.

Richard