UNtwisting a Flemish String

[Bowmania]

I kind of know that I'm not going to get an exact answer here, but how much can you untwist a flemish string before it comes apart.  I have a 64 inch long bow that's longer than my other 64 incher.  I would need to untwist an inch and a quarter????

Bowmania

[Lee Robinson .]

It depends on how it is made. If it looks like two ropes wrapped around each other in the body of the string, then it wasn't made right and you need a higher degree of twists in the string to hold the flemish together...but I myself would trash such a string.

If however the string was made by someone that did it right, then the string in the body will be uniform and appear to lay together as one round surface (only looking like ropes in the flemish), then you can get by with a twist ever 4 - 6 inches or so without any concerns...but 1 twist every 3" isn't going to raise your brace height by much in comparison so I generally say 3" as a good minimum.

[CG]

A properly made flemish string will hold together fine with just a couple of twists in the body of the string. Now, having said that, an inch is a lot of length to overcome either with twisting (to shorten) or untwisting (to lengthen). I would be surprised if you are able to get the string that much longer, even with all the twist taken out.

[lpcjon2]

You lost me at your 64" longbow was longer than your other 64"er. It would be wise to get a new string, not worth the chance of it coming undone when at full draw. Thats how you get hurt.

[Lee Robinson .]

Some bowyers measure a longbow's length going straight from NTN, while others (such as myself) measure the bow's length following the limb's profile. As a result, there is variation in the industry. I believe one should follow the profile, as AMO does. That, IMO, makes the most sense as that is also how a recurve's length is measured. The only reason I can see to go straight is because it is easier (and it would allow one to advertise a shorter bow than it actually is...and short bows are kind of a fad now).

[cyred4d]

I agree that you should get a new string made for that bow. A new string is a lot cheaper than a new bow.

[trad_bowhunter1965]

Originally posted by cyred4d:
I agree that you should get a new string made for that bow. A new string is a lot cheaper than a new bow.

Ditto

[WRV]

YES, GET A NEW STRING!!!
Randy