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Making a Half Eye bow string
half eye:
fellas,
Had a few inquiry's about my bowstrings. So took some pics showing how I do it.
The material is 70# artificial sinew string with heavy wax. I shoot all my bows bare fingered and do not serve the strings either, so I tend to make my strings a bit on the "fat" side but they will still quite hold a plastic knock.
The simple version is this. With the bow in my lap I pull out enough string for the length of the bow, and 1 foot more. I then draw string out as I go back and forth to the desired # of strands. ( I originally figured that the 70# was just about that so a six strand will be in the 420# range and never had any issues with bows up to 70 lbs, with the exception that they are pretty small in diameter and cut my fingers pretty easy) An 8 strand is overkill for strength but is just about right for bare fingers up to 55# or so.
Once you have the correct # of strands, cut the line loose from the spool, and at the same time cut the individual line loops at that end. Pull out about 10" from the cut end and lay it on your leg with the right hand and "roll" it on your leg with the left hand. Take this 10" of single string and double it over. Once doubled over tie a "double overhand knot" . As you tighten this knot, make sure to adjust the loop size to fit the limb of your bow. Now hang the loop from a hook or nail or such and pull it straight. Cut the line loops as be fore and separate the individual strands, pull each strand tight until you have all of the tight lines in your left hand. Reach up with the right while holding the ends with your left and briskly rub the string to melt the wax all together. (This makes a lot of heat so you MAY need a glove) once you have done that tie a single overhand knot at the end of the string and your done.
I slide the loop over the top limb and hold it till I measure the string down to the lower knock point and tie that end off with a set of half hitches. String the bow and re-rub the string briskly, then draw the bow several times and see where your at for brace height, if you need to adjust it is easiest to dismount the loop and give it a few twists and then re-string.
The whole thing takes about 5 minuets, total. I have never had a string failure, but I do pay attention to their condition.
There are 14 pics so it will be about 3 posts. If there is any confusion about the pictures I will post a photo index (the pictures are in sequential order) # 10 is not present as it is superfluous .
Any questions please let me know, trying to be helpful not confusing.
rich
half eye:
second set of pics
half eye:
last picture
tattoo dave:
Thanks for postin Rich. I serve all my strings, but I gotta say, I like the idea of not. Just for the sake of making things more simple. Plus I'm guessing the primitives didn't serve strings. ;)
Also, I just fairly recently started tying all my strings onto the bottom limb. For whatever reason, that's where they lose most of their twist. Any ideas about that?
Tattoo Dave
half eye:
Dave,
With the string knotted on both ends and then tied down solid I don't why the string can "unwind". The only suggestion I can recommend would be to slide the loop off the upper end and re-twist the lower part of the string then maybe a couple twists to the entire string and re-brace the bow and re-wax your string and rub the dickens out of it. Beyond that I really never have had to deal with that.
These strings are strong, easy, and make a real fine hunting string. Are they better than other types....probably not but they work very well and involve a lot less work or tools than the other types as well. Anyhow, sorry I don't have a definitive answer for you.
rich
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