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Timber hitch of FF on war bow?

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Frodolf:
Haha! Or you just tiller it to 29" and call it a day! :-)

So the consensus is to make a proper loop in each end of the string. Got it. And I guess a knot is out of the question, like a bowline knot or something like that, to create the second loop?

On a related note, do you guys ever braid loops instead of just twist them? I was experimenting with this a little bit the other day: I started with making a three-ply flemish twist loop, but instead of twisting the three short and three long together to complete the loop I simply braided them together, like you would when braiding hair. No twist. My little test seemed to hold up well, but I can't recall hearing about anyone doing it that way. A benefit of this would be that the braid can't get untwisted, like a twist can, when twisting a loop in the other end of the string.

WillS:
Well that was just my method. I know plenty of people who use a bowyers knot (timber hitch) at the other end.  In fact I think it's probably more common to see a heavy bow use a bowyers knot than double loop. 

Personally I find them fiddly and a pain to get off, but certainly with side nocks they are far better, and I guess with practice they become just as easy as double loops.

WillS:
As a quick addition - its also quite common to combine the two into one loop - you lay a proper loop into the string as if making a double loop string, but then pass the string through the loop so you get the advantage of the self-tightening loop which works exceptionally well with side nocks.

poplar600:
@Will

How many of these yew bows do you have under your belt? Just curious.

Harvest your own yew?

WillS:
Honestly no idea!  I tend to just make them when I feel like it, so I can't really keep track.  Some get shot until they break, some get given away to people, some get made and are too light or too odd looking to sell/gift so they go on the rack and get forgotten.  I'm still learning so I consider all of them practice bows I guess.  Maybe if I sell them properly at some stage I'll have a better idea of how many I make but I'm not that bothered. 

I've never made a laminate before, and only really use ash or yew or a few other odd bits and pieces I come across.  I'd say aside from maybe 10 or so bows made of various white woods the rest have been yew as its easy for me to get.

Yes, I have cut and seasoned my own.  In fact I think I've only ever bought one actual stave and the occasional set of logs.  Its not rare in the UK, so there's not really any reason to pay somebody else to find it for me.  I'll buy timber if its exceptionally good or exceptionally cheap of course...

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