bow strings??

[David Yukon]

Flemish twist or Handless loop string? I was just wondering what is the difference in between the two. I have flemish on all my bows, and was what is the advantage/disadvantage of the two??

[Dave Worden]

I'm not sure there is an advantage, one over the other.  IMO endless loop is easier to make.  I'm sure some Flemish makers would disagree.  The Flemish has more strands actually in the loop, which should make it stronger with no need to serve the loop.  The endless requires serving of the loops.  The Flemish will generally stretch more than the endless loop.  Unless, of course, it has been properly stretched by the maker.  The Flemish is "cooler looking" to many.  Can't think of other ways to compare at the moment, but I'm sure there are others.  Just thought of one, a Flemish can be made without a jig.  It can also be made with a jig, but it is not necessary.  To me, its six to one half dozen or the other.  I use endless loop 'cause that's what I make.  My brother used to gripe over sore fingers from twisting Flemish strings.  My fingers don't get sore making endless loop!

[LBR]

To me, its six to one half dozen or the other.  

That's it in a nutshell.  It's a matter of personal preferance.

Both have their strong points, but they aren't game-changers.  Equally well-made, performance will be pretty much identical.

Flemish will generally be quieter, especially on recurves.  Endless are generally more consisitent from one string maker to the next.  Endless settles in less, flemish is more adjustable.  Etc. etc. etc.

Some find one easier to make than the other--not much difference to me.  Either one takes some experience and good instruction to make properly.

If you like flemish, use flemish.  If you like endless, use endless.  You won't be missing out either way.  'Course you can experiment too.    

FWIW, I have personal bows with flemish, and with endless, and I shoot them both.

Chad

[30coupe]

Originally posted by LBR:
 

To me, its six to one half dozen or the other.  

That's it in a nutshell.  It's a matter of personal preferance.

Both have their strong points, but they aren't game-changers.  Equally well-made, performance will be pretty much identical.

Flemish will generally be quieter, especially on recurves.  Endless are generally more consisitent from one string maker to the next.  Endless settles in less, flemish is more adjustable.  Etc. etc. etc.

Some find one easier to make than the other--not much difference to me.  Either one takes some experience and good instruction to make properly.

If you like flemish, use flemish.  If you like endless, use endless.  You won't be missing out either way.  'Course you can experiment too.    

FWIW, I have personal bows with flemish, and with endless, and I shoot them both.

Chad [/b]

That sums it up pretty nicely. I made jigs for both types. I started with Flemish, but my fingers kind of cramp up when making them. So I made an endless jig per Rob D's instructions. It takes up a lot more storage space than my Flemish jig, but the strings are less painful to make.

I did find that Flemish strings are quieter and once they settle in, there is little other difference. I like quiet, and since I just build strings for me and my kids, I grin and bear the pain. Most of my strings are skinny Flemish with padded loops.

Mostly it just comes down to personal preference.

[David Yukon]

Thank you guys for the info! Really appreciate it!