Will a new FF flemish string stretch 1 inch????

[String Cutter]

Just got a new FF flemish string and it appears to be about 1 inch to short..... If I put it on my longbow will the string stretch 1 inch???? Or will FF stretch at all????

[LBR]

If the string maker didn't pre-stretch it, it should settle in an inch easily--there's generally that much or more slack in the twist.  It may take a bit, depending on the draw weight of your bow.

FF does stretch some, especially in hot temps, but not nearly as much as dacron.

Chad

[Longbow Bowhunter]

Yea, What LBR said.

[Jim Neaves]

If it does not stretch than you will want to make sure that you do not take out to many twists to bring the brace height down. The guy that makes my strings says the minimum twists in a string should be 20 and that is even pushing it a little. A ff string should always be pre-stretched before it is served or the center serve will come loose, sooner than later! When buying a ff type string always make sure to ask if they pre-stretch them. It will definately help you in the long run and will save you some headaches

[Falk]

Okay - let's start with "flemish" - we don't pay any attention to FF or B-50 at this point:
A brandnew (in the process of making) flemish string will stretch A LOT. The maker has to adjust for it - how much is a matter of experience - as every one has his own style of twisting the string and it can't be measured in precise increments.
But if you order - say a string for an AMO 68" bow - it should be about 65" long - from loop to loop - in STRECHED condition AND UNDER TENSION. There will be some initial stretch but a full inch is way to much - if the stringmaker has done any reasonable work.

To "break" in a new string you can do the following: Brace your bow - lay it (back down - string up) accros your legs just above the knees - grap each bowlimb at the outer third - push both limbs down at the same time - against your legs. BE CAREFULL !!!
This will put tremendous strain to string and bowtips. You can easily break a bowtip if you push to hard! But it will take most stretch out of your new string within seconds.

In general a flemish string allows you to adjust more by (un-) twisting then an endless one would do. An endless string would be most durable and efficient if totally UNTWISTED. Because each strand will be under same tension. Even a flemish string is stronger if not twisted to much but enough to keep the loops tight. I doubt if 20+ twist are at all necessary.

The center serving has to be applied with the same twist (direction) as the main boddy of the string. It will stand some untwisting, but more importent - it will tighten when you twist the string - which is the most common - as it stretches with use and has to be twisted a little more to compensate. BUT if it comes loose - it's no big deal at all to put on a new one ...  
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religion kills people - all over the world ...

[Pete W]

String cutter:
 Many bows are not built to AMO lengths. That is why we often hear about strings being to short, and bow drawing so well for their length. I have seen bows that are 2" longer than marked so that 58" was actualy a 60" AMO length bow.

[String Cutter]

Pete, I posted this one year ago. Don't even know how it came back up???

[Pete W]

LOL, someone emailed it to me , thought it was you.