D. Bowstring Assembly Steps

 

(1) Use the medium weight, 3-part wound string. Make a loop that will snugly fit the bottom end of one of your bow tips and splice the string to create the loop.

This next photos shows the detail of one way to splice a bowstring loop.

a- (Left most loop) Mark the size of loop & dip the loop portion in wax.
b- (2 Loop from the left), Splice each string.
c- (3 from left) A finished splice just prior to twisting them all together
d- (4th from left) Fully twisted Loop
e- (5 from left the, rightmost Loop) A fully waxed and finished Loop.

 

(2) Wrap the small diameter thread (“Sinulid”) just below the loop, then wax the wrapping and the whole bowstring well.

And here's the detail of one way to wrap a bowstring loop.

(3) Bend the bow with the lower bow end in front of your left ankle, the bow handle behind your right knee and your right hand pushing the upper bow arm making an arch. Reverse the above position if you are left handed.

 

Note: The Outer Skin side of the bow should remain visible to you and it is inside the arch of the bow.

 

Here's how to bend a bow in an efficient and simple manner.

(4) Establish the final length of the bowstring by putting the looped end on one bow tip and while bending the bow, looping the other bowstring end at the other bow tip. Mark the location where you will splice the 2 loop of the bowstring.

Here's an illustration of how to mark the bowstring to determine the correct length for your bow.

(5) Make the 2nd bowstring loop large enough to fit your upper bow arm snugly. Splice and make a loop similar to the one in Step E1 above. Remember to wrap thread on your 2 loop as described in Step E2 above.

 

(6) String the bow into an arch and the bowstring should be about a “Thumbs Up” from the inside part of the handle. You can make minor string length adjustments by twisting the string tighter to make it shorter, or untwisting it to make it longer.

The correct bowstring distance for your bow should be a fist with the archer’s thumb sticking up as shown in this next photo.

- Regularly rub wax on the bowstring to give it the longest useful life possible.
- Unstring your bow soon after you use it, do not keep your bow strung over many hours and protect it from getting wet as these will weaken the bow.