sinew string..

[aero86]

how many have made a string out of sinew?  tonight i decided since i have a bunch of sinew already combed, i wanted to try.  i intended to just make a short string, but i ended up with a string that has a, what i think, usable portion greater than 36".  reason why i stopped was because i dont have a bow to put this on, unless i use it for my short horn bow.  but, my question is, when adding pieces into the string while twisting, do you add the bigger end of the piece of sinew, or the thinner end?  or does it just depend on the way you start the string?  am i making sense? lol.  also, when you are done, do you wet it down and then let it dry to try to make it all "come together"?  can you wax it?  i really think it turned out decent, but how can you properly test the strength of it? 

sorry for all the questions!!

[Parnell]

Wish I could answer but I'm hoping someone has some good explanations, I'm curious about this myself.

[crooketarrow]

    I ve only made 2 a while back. Mixed the ends up like you did't know if it mattered no internet then. I really kept the wax to it and rewaxed every week. I'm not sure if there other ways of water proofing. Let them go with bows as spares.

[aero86]

wonder whats the best way to check strength?  just secure it and hang a weight from the middle of it?  actually once i got the feel for it, the string ended up pretty uniform.  i imagine that waxed, the loose ends wont be so bad.  i snipped off the longer ones.  maybe i should try to get a decent picture of it.  sure will wear out your fingers and hands!

[IndianGuy]

I have made several and it is a task!

[ricktrojanowski]

The best advice I can give for making strings out of sinew is to check out Jackcrafty's buildalong.  That is how I learned.

 When splicing new fibres into the string I mix up the ends to get an even string diameter.  Also I like to constantly put in new fibres, instead of  just splicing bundles along the length of the string. When done I wet the string down, pat it dry , then hang it from the ceiling by the loop.  Then twist it until it wants to kink.  At that point I tie some weight to the other end and let it dry.   It will stretch as it dries.  I don't wax mine, I don't shoot them if it is really rainy.  To test it , I first brace the bow, and watch to make sure nothing bad is happening.  Then draw the bow progressively until I get to actual draw length multiple times.  Then I shoot it.  First only drawing about half draw, slowly working my way to full draw.  It will stretch and soften during this process.  So I advise a timber hitch for the bottom limb.  This allows you plenty of adjustment room.  Hope this helps, nothing is nicer than a real sinew string.
Just a note.  The only time I had a string fail, it came partially apart during bracing.  I've heard from others that generally that is when they fail, if they fail.   

[JackCrafty]

I'm going to do a shameless plug here and post a link to my sinew string how-to...  now on video!   

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmZibFv1Si8

[aero86]

just got done watching that!  good buildalong!  thatll be really helpful when i go to make a real one!  all the strings ive made with that method, i just twist it the one time, i dont twist the individual sections.. course thats with full length artificial sinew strands..

[Markus]

Very informative video, well, sore fingers here we come.  Markus.

[ricktrojanowski]

I'm going to do a shameless plug here and post a link to my sinew string how-to...  now on video!   

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmZibFv1Si8

Sweet

[Little John]

Thanks Jackcrafty. I made one sinue bowstring from your previous buildalong and am anxious to try another now after the video. You have gone beyond the call of duty with such helpful tutorials. Thanks again.    Kenneth