I make a lot of strings for myself. I like the colors. Do any of you make your flemish twist string with each strand the same length? Would that make an abrupt transition?
Just wondering
Tedd
I do and have had no problems.
That's how I was taught. All strands the same length.
After you have closed the loop and made 10-12 twists to splice the string, You will just pull out 1 or 2 strands per twist until they are all pulled out.
When the string is finished you will brace the bow and very carefully trim off the ends that you pulled out.
This makes a nice tapered string. You will want to start with a little bit more material so you have something to work with.
I taper them now, but I used to make them all the same length, intentionally leaving them a little long. Then, when I was done with the twist, I left about an inch of the tag ends hanging out as a string silencer. Works quite well, actually. Tapered string looks a little nicer, IMO, but no real difference in performance.
I never have but don't see any problem doing it that way.
i have always tapered mine as that is how i learned. i do add extra strands just in the loop ends to make them a little thicker (18 stand string with 20 strand loops).
Adds to the noise, especially on a recurve, and doesn't look good.
Like TT noted, if you want to cut your strands all the same length you can still taper it off by dropping strands as you finish the loop. Joe demonstrates this in "Doin' the Twist"--he uses his endless jig to cut strands rather than a string board.
I don't know of any reason for doing it.
Chad
I cut all my strands the same and the stagger them when I start the first loop. That gives me an automatic stagger at the other end. Simple, the taper looks after itself.
I use all the same length strands. Works good.
BigArcher