How to Make Flemish Bow Strings

Flemish bowstrings can be made with natural or synthetic fibers.

Traditional long bow and recurve archery depends on the relationship between the string and the bow to generate power. The string must be strong enough to endure the pressure from the flexing bow without deforming or snapping. The Flemish twist bowstring is a traditional style suitable for use with recurve bows and traditional longbows. They can be made by hand from synthetic or natural fibers, with or without the aid of a special jig.

Things You'll Need

• Flemish bowstring jig
• Stringing material such as Dacron B50 or Fast Flight
• Single edge razor blade
• 2 small clamps
• Bow stringer

Instructions

Bundling the Strands

1. Determine how many strands you will need for the draw weight of your bow. Twenty to 30 pounds will require eight strands; 25 to 35 will require 10 strands; 35 to 45 will require 12; 45 to 55 will require 14; and 50 to 80 will require 16 strands.

2. Determine the length of the bowstring. The numbers written next to the peg holes in the center of the jig correspond to the length of the bow. Measure your bow from end to end and place the wooden peg in the corresponding hole.

3. Set your jig down on a table or work bench with the two rows of nails on your right side. Tie the end of your stringing material to the nail furthest to the right in the row furthest away from you.

4. With the spool in one hand, begin winding the strand in a clockwise motion on the outside of the row of nails and down to the opposite end of the jig. Bend the strand around the nail on the left-hand side of the jig and bring the strand around to the peg in the middle, corresponding to the length of your bow. Bend the strand counter-clockwise around the peg and back around the left-hand end of the jig. Bend the strand clockwise around the nail at the end of the jig and bring the strand all the way back to the two rows of nails.

5. Bend the strand around the outside of the nail to the left of the nail where you started the strand. Continue wrapping the strand in a clockwise motion around the nail in the other row and then repeat Step 4 until the strand has returned to the starting point. Wrap the strand clockwise around the next nail in the row. Repeat Step 4 again until you have reached the last nail in the row.

6. Hold the wound strings together with one hand and run a razor blade or sharp knife in between the two rows of nails on the right side of the jig, cutting the strands at the mid-point.

7. Hold one end of the bundle of strands so they all stay together. Hold your block of bee's wax or bowstring wax in your other hand and pinch the string between the wax block and your thumb. Run the wax along the length of the string to keep it from slipping apart during the twisting process.

8. Repeat the entire winding and bundling process until you have two strings of equal length with seven strands each.

Twisting the Strands

1. Hold the ends of the two waxed bundles together in one hand and measure seven inches down from the ends of the bundles. Pinch the bundles at this point with your left hand.

2. With the ends of the bundles in your left hand, take one of the strands in your right hand and pinch it between your thumb and forefinger. Grip the other strand loosely between the middle and ring fingers of the same hand.

3. Twist the strand that is between your thumb and forefinger away from you and at the same time, roll your hand back towards you, crossing the strings over each-other and creating a twist. Each time you make a twist, choke up your grip with your left hand before releasing the strands with your right hand, so that you are pinching the area that you just twisted. This will prevent the line from unraveling.

4. Now pinch the other line with your right thumb and forefinger and twist it away from you as you roll your hand back, again crossing the strands over each-other. Continue the motion of pinching, twisting, and rolling alternating strands until you have reached the opposite end of the string. Stop twisting seven inches from the end.

Braiding the Nocking Loops

1. Double back the untwisted seven inches at the end of the string to form a loop large enough for your bow's nock to. Pinch the lines where the strings cross at the bottom of the loop and take the untwisted ends in your forefingers and repeat the same twisting and rolling motion, going back over the area that you just finished twisting. When you reach the end of the untwisted string, clamp the twist in place.

2. Go to the other end of the string where you began twisting and repeat Step 1 to form the other nocking loop. Once the untwisted strand has been twisted in with the fully twisted string, clamp the end in place to prevent it from unraveling.

3. Slip one end of your string over your bow's nock and bring the other end of the string to the opposite nock but do not slip it over. Twist the string 15 to 20 times to tighten. You will know if you are twisting the wrong direction because the string will begin to unravel. Slide the saddle of your bow stringer into place and slip the loop over the other nock. Check to make sure the brace or hand grip lines up with the center of the string. Remove one end of the string and add several twists, then restring the bow and check the brace height again. Once you have calibrated the brace height, allow the string to stretch out over night, then calibrate again.

Tips & Warnings

• Using two different colored strand materials will help you keep track of your bundles.

References

• Stickbow.com: "Making a Flemish Twist Bow String"

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish