DIY Flemish Bow String

Sometimes people get it right the first time. This certainly seems the case to many archers, for whom the traditional flemish string is the most desirable. The flemish string has many advantages over its modern counterparts. It is sturdy, near silent when released and it is quite aesthetically pleasing. In many archer's eyes, the most important benefit of the old-time flemish bowstring is that it can be made by anyone, anytime. In less than an hour, you can make your own.

Things You'll Need

  • 60-inch by 4-inch oak board
  • 2 nails
  • Hammer
  • 60 inches of linen string
  • 60 inches of hemp string
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Instructions

    • 1

      Procure a board made of a hard wood such as oak. The board should be at least 60 inches long and it need not be more than four inches wide. Place a nail a half inch from the bottom edge of the board. Position it in the middle width-wise so that there are two inches of board on either side of the nail. Hammer it in. Lay the board down flat with the nail facing upwards.

    • 2

      Place another nail on the opposite side of the board in the same fashion. There should be two inches of board on either side of it. It should be half an inch from the length-wise edge.

    • 3

      Take six strands of hemp string and tie one end of each strand around the first nail. Extend the rest of the string down the length of the board. Make sure that you have at least 60 inches of string. Take these six separate strings and twist them counter clockwise until they have have formed one thicker string. Tie the loose end of the string around the second nail.

    • 4

      Tie six strands of linen thread around the first nail. Extend the threads 60 inches and twist the six threads into one as you did for the hemp thread. Now, wrap the resultant thick lined strand around and around the hemp strand until the two strands together resemble one string. Ideally, the linen strand should wrap around the hemp strand once every quarter-inch.

    • 5

      Slide out the nails while leaving the knots intact. Attach the string to any bow you choose.