Question, when I make a self bow, and I want to purchase a string with the correct length to get the proper brace height, how do you I know what length to order? Its just one choice if I do. I string it up, that's what I get, unless I twist it to shorten it. But aside from that its one shot in the dark. How do you estimate proper string length for any particular bow, recurve vs longbow vs self bow? How do you know what a most efficient brace height is for that bow? Just keep experimenting with different length and gauge strings? That could get costly and time-consuming. Maybe that's what is required. Thanks. TK

The old guard used a fistmele for brace. On most longbows I ever had, and that was a bunch, a 3" shorter than the AMO measurement worked just fine to start. String nock to string nock following the belly and straight through at the handle. It has worked for a very long time and should work fine for you too. ;)

Thanks, George. PM sent too.

Fistmele measurement for those who aren't familiar with the term. I keep forgetting how old I am. ;) You can also put the fist on the bow and the thumb raised toward the string for flat risers/grips.

IDK what I'm getting, or where yet. Got any recommendations? I'm pretty green...

The hand should be against the string.

OK. Thinking of buying a couple strings from Mrs. Brackenbury in Oregon. Gotta get the bows to length first. Maybe I'll buy string material and tie my own so I can experiment. Lots of research to do to find out how. The more I make myself, the more it becomes a 'self bow'.

For selfbows I start with a string 2" shorter than overall length more or less. And preferably start with a string that only has one loop, and secure the other end with a Timberhitch. In doing that, I am able to get the bow dialed in at the minimum brace height that shoots well, and then make a string that is the corect length.

A good starting point for brace height on a selfbow is to divide the bow length by 11.5. Make the string to brace the bow at that measurement and then work up or down to tune.

Thank you. I am keeping notes.

Cal

Fistemele doesn't work. My hands are huge so my brace should be 1" higher than a guy with smaller hands? Nope. Calvin I will send you a skinny string when you are ready. I just need the string groove to string groove measurement. Let me know.

OK, thanks Chris. I am going to cut the length when I take a good look at the back and what I can get out of that stave pretty soon. I think longer might be better to start out with, within limit. Maybe 74".. Just a hair longer than I am tall.

I measure from the belly...nock to nock and I learned how to tie my own strings. That way I can tie strings of the proper brace height for me which is 7" from string to back.

Jawge

What do you draw in terms on length?

29" last measured.

You don,t need a loop to loop bow string on a self bow.Your right to learn to tie your own. When you do you can make a Flemish twist loop on one end if you choose to , and timber hitch the other end to adjust the right length of your string with plenty length to spare. Get on utube. Their are plenty of build a longs on how to build a good bow string, and how to make a simple jig. For now though you could take Pearly up on his offer.

Just leave the first one to Pearl! That’s what I would do! Arvin

I'd take Chris up on his offer, but make a long string with a timber hitch on one end as well... or ask him to send you one of those too :^) That way you can brace it low upon first stringing if you want. Timber hitches take about 20-30 seconds to adjust when you want to adjust the brace height, so they're convenient. I've used them while tillering, and even while shooting-in the bow... first 150-200 shots... or when I just don't feel like twisting a new one up yet.

If you make a selfbow you need to make your string, it isn't rocket science. You need a tillering string, a low brace string and a full brace string, a buck fifty to make all three if you use B-50.

Make a jig, watch a few string making videos on youtube, buy a 1/4# spool of B-50, a spool of serving thread and a server and you are good to go for 6 or 7 strings at least.

I put the feet on my jig so I can hold it between my knees and make strings sitting in my recliner.

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