Strings

[Bozman71]

I am curious what everyone thinks about:

Flemish vs. Endless Loop?

John

[Kindred Mark]

I prefere a flemish string because you can inspect it.  You don't know what going on under a endless loop serving.

[Chris Lantz]

Flemish seems a bit quieter.

[LBR]

Either one will do the job--I like flemish myself.  I like the looks, and they are generally quieter.

One thing I've heard a lot about, but never cared enough to test, was that endless is faster.  Rod Jenkins and I think O.L. Adcock did care enough to test them, and found that with all things equal, so is speed.  Obviously one big claim to fame for the ACS is performance, so it wouldn't make sense to put a slower string on them (they come with a flemish string).

As with most things in this sport, try both and use the one you like best.

Chad

[Tilbilly]

One gives me finger cramps on all three hands makin' 'em, the other doesn't  

[Naphtali]

I have been told that a flemish string will have more strands than and endless loop and be thicker at loops. Are either of these true? If they are, does this mean that flemish strings are heavier, bowstring for bowstring?

[Ric Anderson]

Naphtali, yes it is true that the loops are thicker on a flemish string.  On a flemish string the loop is formed by bringing back and twisting in all of the strands.  On an endless loop string the loop is formed by dividing the number of strands in half then serving them.

Man, it's hard to describe.   :-)  Let me put it this way, on a 12 strand flemish the loop is made up of all 12 strands twisted together.   On an endless the loop is made up of 6 strands that are served.  When I make an endless string I always add several short strands to the the loop to reinforce it.

[Bozman71]

Ric, Does the serving cause more wear on the tips than a flemish will???

[Naphtali]

Rick:

Whitefish. You're just up the road from Seeley Lake -- well, a ways up the road.

Does what you've written translate to reduced arrow velocity because of greater bowstring mass (not necessarily weight, though) having greater wind resistance?

Would the greater mass of flemish string translate to inherently quieter bow? I own a DAS Dalaa and Master Hunter. I'm trying to beat the silencer velocity hit. Not much velocity to hit on.

[Ric Anderson]

Bozman71, I kinda doubt if the serving will increase wear, but really don't know that for a fact.  Due to the smaller diameter of the string at the loop of an endless there has to be more pressure exerted on the limbtip though.  When I make an endless loop string I always pad the loop by adding several short pieces of string material prior to serving the loop.  I believe that this is especially important when making the string out of the newer, non-stretch material such as Fast Flight.

Naphtali,  yup up the road a piece but not too far.  I do on occassion head that way to hunt though.  Many years ago in my logging days, I stayed in logging camp up there.  It's awful pretty country.

It seems to me that a flemish string has to be somewhat heavier than an endless loop string of the same length and strand number.  The strands on an endless basically run straight from loop to loop, with some minor twisting.  Due to the more intense twisting on a flemish, to achieve the same string length the individual strands have to be longer, which equates to more weight.   Whether that has enough of an impact on velocity to matter I really don't know.  Man, I'm getting a headache.   :-)

[buckracks7]

I prefer endless loop, cause I'm not smart enough to make a good flemish. I have never had a endless string break in the loop. I suspect edless is a little faster, and flemish a little more quiet.

[LBR]

You forgot one thing Ric--all that serving material that goes on an endless string--that adds weight.

I wish Rod or John (Havard) or O.L. would chime in--they are the ones that actually did some testing.  I know Rod won't be chiming in, as he's in IN for the IBO WC.  

I've talked with Rod about this before though, and trust his results.

One other thing--it can and will vary depending on how the string is made (for instance, a lot of twist or a little twist), how much wax, how much serving, what size serving, etc. etc. etc.

Chad

[JRY309]

I believe Jack Harrison wrote in his book that an enless loop is faster the a flemish twist.And those are the strings that he recommends for his bows for max performance.