RE: making custom strings
I just completed my first set last week. I have been trying to post a pic but having problems, will try again later today. The way I made mine was quite easy. I had a chunk of walnut cull lumber out back that I cut off about 6" long. It was a 1x4. Then I cut it down the middle so to have two thinner pieces. I took the origianl grips off my bow and traced the out line ontothe wood. Using a belt sander by turning itup side down, I simply began to sand and form it being careful not to get too close to the lines until I had the basic shape down. At that point I kept placing the new grip onto the notch in the riser, make a few marks, then sand some more a little at a time. Once I had it to where it would fit into the notch tightly, then I did the final sanding to form the top of the grip to my liking. The last part is to put whatever type finish you like. I used gun stock finish on mine.
Hope this helps.
Ed