Question on strings

[TooManyHobbies]

I picked up a back up string for my Super Kodiak. It's an AMO 60, just like my bow says. But, it's like 3 inches short. I didn't realize when I bought it, that it's a flemish string. Green and black, all twisted. Do I just untwist the string until it fits. Sorry if I sound like an idiot, but I didn't know there were different strings than the one I have. I just thought it was a different color.

[Bjorn]

That would be a lot of untwisting..........................you could try hooking it over a door hinge and pulling hard-real hard-and it will stretch about an inch usually; but 3 inches is a tall order.
I think you will need a new string. BTW Flemish strings aren't any shorter than Endless Loop, that one was likely just measured wrong.

[TooManyHobbies]

Out of the package, the string measures 55 inches. The old string removed from the bow is 57 inches. Is new one too short or did old one stretch? Or both.

[BWD]

How many twist are in the string? If there are more than about one per inch, you can take some out. And, I'm sure you know if you string your bow and leave it overnight, the string is going to stretch.

[Van/TX]

The new one is too short.  It was either improperly labeled or built.  Untwisting won't work.  It might stretch an inch depending on the material but looks like you need to get another back up string.  Good luck...Van

[Van/TX]

If the string has been over twisted and then packaged then do what BWD says.  Might just work...Van

[TooManyHobbies]

BWD, when I took it out of the package, it looked like a little girl's braid. Lots of twist. I pretty much leave it strung when practicing a lot or hunting.
What will happen if it is a short string, will the bow or I get damaged?

[traditional beagle]

For a recurve you can figure 4 inches shorter than bow length. 60" bow / 56" string . Un-twist it if it looks like a tight twist, just keep some twist in it. With the bow strung, take a dry wash rag and wrap around string tight a couple twist, now slide the rag up and down fast and create heat. Do on both ends of string above and below serving. Between untwisting and heating, the string can become a couple inches longer. Put wax back on    string. I have never noticed any damage from this.

[rastaman]

If the old string is 57 inches long, order a new one 57 inches long from one of the stringmakers on here. Then you will know you have the right length.

[Ragnarok Forge]

Take it back to where you bought it and either return it or have them give you the correct string.  On your next one buy from someone here on Trad Gang.

[TooManyHobbies]

Thank you all for the replies. Leave it to me to complicate a simple weapon.

[BWD]

Don't think you or your bow will get damaged, but your feelings and confidence might. If you cannot adjust your string so your bow can be properly braced...it ain't gonna shoot worth a crapola.
In the long run IMO, you will be better served by having a string made as opposed to buying a packaged string from one of the big box stores. Ordering from a stringmaker allows you to get the right length, proper serving size, and correct number of strands. The vast majority of canned strings I have bought were way overbuilt, and at least half did not fit.

[LBR]

Leave it to me to complicate a simple weapon.

It's not you--it's the stores, the suppliers, in some cases the bowyers, AMO/ATA, and even fellow archers.

In most cases the stores, especially the big ones, don't know squat about traditional bows.  The suppliers often don't know much either, and/or try to supply a "one size fits all" kind of string.  The string is to be measured under tension also.

Several years ago I watched a "custom" string builder at a big "hunting" store make an endless string for a recurve--pulling less than 50#, if I recall correctly--he made it 18 strands (dacron)!!  

Some bowyers can goof you up because many don't follow AMO/ATA guidelines for marking their bows.  AMO/ATA says the bow should be marked 3" longer than the string that fits it properly (paraphrasing here), and that strings should be ordered by the AMO bow length.  AMO/ATA doesn't allow for any exceptions.

Then you have many of your fellow archers that quote the old "rule of thumb"--4" shorter for recurves, 3" shorter for longbows.

IMO, the ONLY correct way to order a string--and assure you are getting the proper string--is to order it by the actual string length.

Chad

[TooManyHobbies]

I untwisted it a little, put it on the bow and let it set overnight. I measured it this morning and under tension, it's 56".

  Some bowyers can goof you up because many don't follow AMO/ATA guidelines for marking their bows. AMO/ATA says the bow should be marked 3" longer than the string that fits it properly (paraphrasing here), and that strings should be ordered by the AMO bow length. AMO/ATA doesn't allow for any exceptions.  Then you have many of your fellow archers that quote the old "rule of thumb"--4" shorter for recurves, 3" shorter for longbows.  IMO, the ONLY correct way to order a string--and assure you are getting the proper string--is to order it by the actual string length.  

LBR, you've confused me again. If AMO says the bow should be 3" longer than the string, and "rule of thumb" is 4" less then AMO (60), how do you figure out the actual string length? I know the old string is 57", but I also thought that strings stretch. If I bought a bow with no string on it, how would I know the actual length to order? From what you said, an AMO 60 would either have a 56"(rule of thumb) or a 57"(+3" = 60) string, OR, the "actual string length", which may be different??    

[LBR]

Neither AMO or the "rule of thumb" will fit every bow.  I've made strings for longbows that varied from 1.5" to 4" shorter than the AMO;  recurves from 2.5" to 6" shorter.

The way to know the actual string length is to measure an existing string.  If you don't have an existing string, contact the bowyer or someone who has experience with that particular bow.  If you can't do that, it's hit or miss.  If I miss it the first time, I can usually get it the second based on how much too long or short the first is.  In these situations, if I miss it I'll remake the string at no charge.

Strings do stretch.  How much depends on the temperature, string material, number of strands, draw weight, string lenght, whether it was pre-stretched or not, etc.  I ask for measurements under tension and/or strung up on the bow.  AMO/ATA states that the string should be measured under 100# tension (except light bows, which get measured under 50#).  I pre-stretch my strings, and mark the measurement with them measured under the appropriate tension.

Here's a link to the AMO/ATA specs--but don't bet anything on a particular bow being built to these specs.

 http://www.texasarchery.org/Documents/AMO/AMOStandards.pdf

[cahaba]

What is the brace height with the 57" string?

[TooManyHobbies]

LBR, thank you for the info. That cleared things up a bit.

[TooManyHobbies]

Cahaba, If I measured correctly, at the center of the grip to the string, with 56" string it's 8 1/4", with 57" string it's 8 1/2".

??? shouldn't the brace height be longer with the shorter string? I'll go measure everything again.

[TooManyHobbies]

56" string it's 8 1/4"

57" string it's 8 7/16"

But, now, from string notch to string notch, they are both 56 1/4".    

I'm gonna go shoot it and see what happens.

[brinkwolf]

To me buying flemish strings was confusing, so I just learned how to make them myself. All you need is a book or video to show you what you need and how to do it. Flemish twist strings aren't that hard to make once you have the know how. I even made my own string jig(of course you can buy them).