How to Tie an Archery Serving Knot

Multiple strands of string make up a bowstring. When taut, the strings work together as a single, solid strand. The bowstring lasts longer and releases the arrow smoother if the nocking point on the bowstring is served. Serving line wrapped around the bowstring and tied at the end of the wrap creates a serving. Servings are also found at the ends of a bowstring on longbows and recurve bows. Serving lengths vary from about 6 inches at the string ends to 7 or 8 inches at the nocking point. Compound bows also use serves to attach accessories to the bowstring.

Things You'll Need

  • Serving tool with serving line
  • Razor blade
  • Scissors
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Instructions

    • 1

      String the bow so the line is taut. Place the bow horizontal in a vise or a clamp with the string up.

    • 2

      Pull about 1/2 inch of serving line from the serving tool and lay it on top of the bowstring with the end 3 1/2 inches to the right of the center of the bowstring. Hang the serving tool from the bowstring by the grooved bracket so the center point where the serving line exits the tool is 4 inches to the right of the center of the bowstring.

    • 3

      Begin turning the tool around the bowstring and start the tool traveling to the left as it turns. Continue wrapping the serving line around the bowstring until the serve is 8 inches long. Each wrap should fit tightly against the previous wrap.

    • 4

      Lift the tool off the bowstring and hold the end of the serve wraps between thumb and forefinger. Pull off about 10 to 12 inches of serving line from the tool and cut it with scissors. Hold the serving line taut and release the wraps.

    • 5

      Hold the serving line about 2 inches from the wraps and place the end over the other side of the bowstring to make a loop 2 inches high and 2 inches wide. Pass the end of the serving line around the bowstring inside of the loop five times, working back towards the wraps made with the serving tool. Keep the serving line taut.

    • 6

      Lay the remaining serving line across the wraps made with the serving tool. Turn the loop in the serving line around the bowstring five times to undo the wraps just made by hand, but at the same time wrapping the serving line over itself.

    • 7

      Pull the end of the serving line to pull the wraps made by turning the loop around the bowstring against the wraps made by the serving tool. Trim the serving line close to the serve with the razor blade.