Flemish Twist or Endless loop?

[Onestringer]

Ok, what is the difference between a flemish twist and a endless loop string?  Can both be made out of fast flight material.  

Thanks,

Scott

[Orion]

A flemish twist string is actually made out of two or three bundles of string which are twisted together to make the loops.  A continuous loop string is made a continuous strand of string which is wrapped around two posts until the desired number of strands for the string are reached.  The string is then served where it is wrapped around the posts to form the loops.  The flemish twist string is stronger in the loop area because all of the strands in the string form the loop  -- 14 strands on a 14-strand string, for example.  On a continuous loop string, the loop is comprised of half the number of strands as the total number in the string -- 7 strands for a 14-strand string, for example.  Both strings are twisted when on the strung bow to raise or lower brace height.  Because the flemish twist string actually twists more of the string in making the loops, it tends to stretch more initially until it is shot in.  Either string can be made out of fast flite material.

[Bear Heart]

One thing I will say for continuous loop strings is that they seem to have better protection around the two end loops due to the serving material.

[LBR]

Either one can be made from any string material (except sinew, thistle, etc.--can't do endless with those).  Biggest difference as far as which one to shoot depends on personal preferance.  Flemish seems to be quieter on most bows.

They both work just fine.  Olympic shooters seem to prefer endless, the top IBO competitors I know prefer flemish.  I like flemish myself.

Chad

[Razorbak]

I like flemish alot but since I started spinning up endless strings..I see why the OLY guys like them and why they were the standard for bows for many years....you can be creative in color choices the same as a flemish and while a flemish is quicker to make..I just perfer the endless strings for my high performance bows..does make a difference in my eyes..will continue to use them as well as the flemish strings as well..

[Onestringer]

Thanks folks, it looks like to each is own, kind of like comparing ford and chevy.  Now I know.

Thanks,

Scott

[jrchambers]

also if you are using fast flight a endless will be skinny around your nock tips, could possible be damaging, i dont know from experience but i would be cautious.

[LBR]

That's about the size of it Scott--some folks like one, some like the other, but when you get right down to it either one will do the job, and if properly made will do it well, with little difference between the two.  Olympic shooters like endless, the fastest bow Norb Mullaney has tested was shot with flemish.

I do think it's easier to get a more consistent endless string from one maker to the next, as most flemish string makers have their own style that will vary a little from one maker to the next.  

Jrchambers, you can pad out the loops on endless strings if wanted/needed (I've done a few lately).  

Chad