Flemish string question

[wharvey]

I am fairly new at making my own strings in that I've only made a half dozen or so. In doing so I have always followed the directions I read.

I just finished an article on the subject from some out of print Traditional Bow Hunter issues and at the end of the final article the author stated that his directions, which were the same as I was using, was for a right handed shooter and that you should reverse the directions for a lefty.

My question is, is that really necessary?  I shoot left handed and have never had any problems with my strings or serving coming unraveled, even after thousands of shots? It sure doesn't seem to be an issue.   :confused:

[Deadsmple]

I've also found this to be a non issue. I've made plenty of strings twisting clockwise as I have twisting counterclockwise and have had no problems at all.

[Falk]

I do understand what you are asking about, though I want to point to something a little different.
You need to twist a string according to the initial twist of the yarn you use. This will determine if your final string is twisted right (Z) or left (S).
If you think you get problems because you are shooting right or left handed, you need to get different string material in the first place.

Like you, I cant remember of a string or serving to come off either way. I guess if the later happens, it is more due to an unsuited serving finishing "knot" - then the direction of twist ...

[Rob DiStefano]

twist the body of a flemish string, and all servings, with regards to which hand grips the bowstring.  this insures that the both the string and serving are *tightened* as the string is slightly rotated by the gripping fingers during the action of drawing to anchor.  

the same applies for endless bowstrings.

for a right handed archer, looking from the bottom bow limb nock up to the top bow limb nock, the string and serving rotates counter-clockwise.  vice versa for a lefty.

[frank bullitt]

I've made alot of strings, both for right and left hand shooters, serving the same direction, without any issues. Learning to serve tightly, with a good tie-off is more important, enough said! Good shootin too you, Steve.

[wharvey]

Sounds good. The only time I've "had" to replace a string was wwhen it wore out after about 3 years of use. I did have to replace the serving once, but that was on an endless string back when I was shooting a wheel bow. The serving was mono, which I don't like or use on my own strings anyway.

[frank bullitt]

Bill, where in Indiana? Will you be going to Cloverdale? Like to meet you, Good shootin, Steve

[wharvey]

Southern Indiana. When is Cloverdale? I had thought about going if possible.

[frank bullitt]

Bill, June 12-14. Hope to see you there. Good shootin, Steve

[Jason Jelinek]

Once I started using a serving tool and got the serving tight, whipped it off good and locked it down with superglue it doesn't matter, right or left.

[frank bullitt]

Yes Jason, that's right, and a little superglue can help if your having problems. I like to also tell new archers especially, to wax the lower half of the serving area. The biggest problems I see of loose or fraying is contact of the bow arm, and armguard. Waxing this area helps alot.