Another question on Cherokee/Eastern bows

[Skeaterbait]

I noticed on a couple of examples that the string for the Cherokee bow seems to have a loop on one end but anchored on the bottom in another fashion. I have the TBB but that section didn't seem to go in to the tying of the string. Can anyone explain how this it tied? It looks as though it wraps about the last inch or so of the limb before the string nock.

[El Destructo]

Dude........ I don't know what knot they tied on the Bottom....but when I make a B 50 String for one of My N.A. Bows....I always make the String with a Flemish Eye on one End and I rat Tail on the other....this way I can adjust the Brace Height by adjusting the Timber Hitch Knot on the RatTail End....plus I believe that  it is a Lot Safer than the Original way too....On My Display Bows that I have made......I make the Strings from either Gut or Sinew.....and I always tie the Bottoms with 4-6 Half Hitches on the Bottom Limb.....to make it Look like the Picture this way...........and a Timber Hitch Knot on the Top........Hope this Helps

Michael "El Destructo" Roberts

[Hillbilly]

Lonnie, from the close-up illustrations of the old Cherokee bows in Hamm and Allely's Encyclopedia of Native American Bows, Arrows, and Quivers, it doesn't really look like that there was a "standard" knot, I guess each person had his own system that worked. Most of them look like the string was wrapped a couple times, then tied with a conglomeration of half-hitches and wraps until it didn't slip anymore. 

[El Destructo]

Gee....I think I heard that somewhere!!!!!   

[JackCrafty]

Tying the string on one end is very common among Native American bows.  I've only seen a few NA bowstrings with two loops.

Just use whatever knot you like and then wrap the extra length around the end of the bow.  Finish off by tucking the end of the string under the last wrap and pull tight.  Some original strings had a short piece of bucksin lace attached to the end....so that the last wrap(s) will hold better.

The extra length has two purposes.  One, during dry weather, strings made of sinew or rawhide will shrink.  Two, the extra length is needed for grabbing onto the string and tying the knot.

[Skeaterbait]

Thanks all. I will get a string made and post some pics soon.

[Stonedog]

I quit making strings with two loops a few years back.....I downloaded John Scrifes string tutorial and have never looked back!

I have even quit using a flemish string board too......

http://residents.bowhunting.net/sticknstring/string.html

IMHO the best string how-to I have ever seen....including the videos out there.