Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Prarie Bowyer on October 06, 2012, 03:55:53 pm

Title: What kind of string are people making for the Asian type bows?
Post by: Prarie Bowyer on October 06, 2012, 03:55:53 pm

I'm going try to make a bamboo backed horse bow.  I thought about doing a Flemish twist with extra big loops but then i'm not certain how to lay out those measurements.

Are there any sources for how they make those strings?  Are they endless loop strings? 

Title: Re: What kind of string are people making for the Asian type bows?
Post by: mullet on October 07, 2012, 12:32:56 am

Endless loop is what is on my Horn bow.

Title: Re: What kind of string are people making for the Asian type bows?
Post by: AngelDeVille on October 07, 2012, 01:15:35 am

Once I get ahold of some B-55 I'll be making a Flemish twist to replace the endless loop currently on my bow. I don't see why it won't work.

Title: Re: What kind of string are people making for the Asian type bows?
Post by: PatM on October 07, 2012, 01:22:04 am

The trouble with a flemish twist with huge loops is the potential for the twist to run up into the loops. That will cause wear issues if the string has to split on either side of a siyah.
 Many of the original bows just had knots to form the loops. This kind of string is a bit unappreciated, I think.

Title: Re: What kind of string are people making for the Asian type bows?
Post by: AngelDeVille on October 07, 2012, 02:11:49 pm

I'm wondering if an overhand knot right at the splice, wouldn't solve that problem.

I have also seen original strings with very small loops and and extra length of string to form the large loop.

I'll see if I can find a pic.

Title: Re: What kind of string are people making for the Asian type bows?
Post by: PatM on October 07, 2012, 06:36:19 pm

There is usually a special knot used for forming the loops. The Turkish bows seemed to have the extra added loops. I think the one in TTBB shows a silk main string with sinew loops.
 Half-eye seems to use a simple knot for one end of his strings.
 Some ancient excavated bows on Atarn all show knots to form the loops. This one for example:
http://atarn.net/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=2241&start=0

Title: Re: What kind of string are people making for the Asian type bows?
Post by: AngelDeVille on October 08, 2012, 12:15:29 pm

This is similar to what I've seen....

(http://heartwoodbowsonline.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Fig-5B1.jpg)

here is the complete website

http://heartwoodbowsonline.com/wordpress/?p=489 (http://heartwoodbowsonline.com/wordpress/?p=489)

Title: Re: What kind of string are people making for the Asian type bows?
Post by: sharpend60 on October 08, 2012, 04:51:17 pm

Dont use an overhand.
Its a weak knot.

I'm a climber for a living and dont ever put anything load bearing on a overhand...

Stick to one of the proven knots for archery or a figure eight or even a butterfly.

Title: Re: What kind of string are people making for the Asian type bows?
Post by: Prarie Bowyer on October 11, 2012, 01:11:52 am

I saw a tutorial of a guy making an endless loop.  I think it was a comercial for his string making jig for crossbows. 

Now I get the idea but I'm trying to figure out how I'll layout my string.  What happens to the tag ends and such.  Is there a DIY jig plan some place?

Title: Re: What kind of string are people making for the Asian type bows?
Post by: PatM on October 11, 2012, 09:34:10 am

You can just build an endless around four stout wooden pegs driven into a board. You can  tie the ends together and hide the small knot under the serving. There is no reason to bother with extra strands in the loops.
 After you have the loops served pull the string off the pegs and stretch it tightly between two  pegs and serve the base of the loops together.

Title: Re: What kind of string are people making for the Asian type bows?
Post by: Guessed on October 11, 2012, 03:40:26 pm

Not too sure if this helps but at 3:52 it sort shows what he's doing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6qRnTVM2KU

Title: Re: What kind of string are people making for the Asian type bows?
Post by: BigNocker on October 11, 2012, 03:59:01 pm

I made a board as instructed by Ron Harris for making Flemish strings. Google it. Worked well for me and it only took a half hour to make the board out of a scrap piece I had laying around.  Each notch adds an extra 2" length to the bowstring, so if your bow was 50 inches, you might use the 52" notch to add extra length for the large loops.  IMO A little longer is better than a little shorter because you can always put a little extra twist in it to raise your brace height if needed.

Title: Re: What kind of string are people making for the Asian type bows?
Post by: AngelDeVille on October 11, 2012, 06:58:58 pm

For sure flemish twist strings are the best looking, endless loop are fine but boring.

Title: Re: What kind of string are people making for the Asian type bows?
Post by: PatM on October 11, 2012, 09:41:14 pm

Endless strings perform better though.