Have any of you ever heard a loud string? When I shoot my longbow, I can hear the string cutting through the air. Does anyone know what would cause this? Or how to fix it?

The guy who built me the string is a friend and I believe he forgot to counter twist the bundles as the string isn't twisted evenly the whole length of the string.

I'm thinking the answer may only be getting a new string.

The only time I have ever heard a string make a weird noise is if the twist was taken out and the string was ballooning. Look it over for a length with no twist to see if it is seperating during the shot.

You may just be thinking to much into hearing the string.  I am a nut job when it comes to making my bow quiet.  To the point I will try several string materials for each bow until I find what has the least sound at least to me.  Many times I tend to really ponder this stuff way to much.  Anyway what length string do you need?  I can spin one up for you and have it in the mail Monday.

Jon you may have a point.  Guess I never thought of that but if the string in question has one side longer than the other it could cause the problem.  Sounds strange but when twisting a flemish I check to make sure everything is even about every fifth turn when twisting in the second loop.  Haven't ever intentionally made one out of balance so I don't know the exact impact it would have.  Maybe LBR can jump in on this one.

Tons of variables to consider.  

With one side longer, than can make a difference.  This can happen when using two colors and one color is thicker.  This is because the coloring process these days isn't a dye, but rather a coating.  Colors don't bleed anything close to what they used to do, but with some colors the coating is a tad thicker so you can get uneven bundle tension if you aren't careful.  The easy fix is to pay attention when making the second loop and, if needed, put a tiny bit extra twist in the longer bundle to take up the excess.

Ballooning is usually only a problem with endless.  That's why you put some twists even in an endless string.

As to the noise, that is probably at least part of it, but there could be lots of other reasons.  Hard to say from a computer.  If there is no counter-twist, that could also be adding to the noise.

QuoteOriginally posted by LBR:
  The easy fix is to pay attention when making the second loop and, if needed, put a tiny bit extra twist in the longer bundle to take up the excess.

Thanks for confirming this Chad.  I had considered doing it but wasn't sure how it would effect the outcome.  I assume you're talking about extra back twist here, correct?

Haven't tried it with extra back twist.  After I get the second loop started and joined together, I immediately check the bundle tension.  Usually it's even, if I did my part correctly, but sometimes no matter what you do they will come out a little off.  That's when I start adding a tad extra in the bundle that's too long.  Twist a few, check the tension, repeat.  Unless I made a goof, it's close enough that I can cheat out that tiny bit extra with no ill effects.

http://i.imgur.com/VAiVV18.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/GaXSKh1.jpg

Here are two pics of the string if it helps. Let me know what you guys think/decide!

Definately lacking in back twist.  Can't promise, but I'd guess that would add to noise.

Thank, Chad.

QuoteOriginally posted by LBR:
Haven't tried it with extra back twist.  After I get the second loop started and joined together, I immediately check the bundle tension.  Usually it's even, if I did my part correctly, but sometimes no matter what you do they will come out a little off.  That's when I start adding a tad extra in the bundle that's too long.  Twist a few, check the tension, repeat.  Unless I made a goof, it's close enough that I can cheat out that tiny bit extra with no ill effects.

Thanks Chad, your willingness to help us home brew guys is always appreciated!    

Kinda weird. nicely twisted on the bottom( first pic) then you have three or so long twists under top loop fade out. (Second pic) Looks kind of  like the lack of back twisting was pushed to that end. Since the twists through out the string arn't even. It could make I act funny and sound loud???