string release
 

I am sure you guys have been asked this before but here goes again.
I got a length of string from a bow shop and tied it on as per instructions and after drawing back the bow two times I see the tag ends (that have been melted into a mushroom shape) pulling into the knot. The end pulled into the knot with maybe a 32nd protruding. I tied it with about a quarter inch of excess sticking out of the knot and pulled the tag end with a pair of pliers. I can just see myself bitch slapping myself and then waking up laid out on the floor. Any hints guys?

RE: string release
 

yep, while your first reaction will be to throw your bow into something concrete, don't. i gave myself a fat lip the other day, but it was me, not my loop.

can you take a pic of it?

RE: string release
 

Get a knotless loop and don't worry about it.

RE: string release
 

I will gibblet. Thank you for the offer to help. I will try to keep my finger nails out of this. The bow is at work where I shoot it so I will post tomorrow. Again, thank you.

RE: string release
 

depending on the release you use, i could make one of those knotless loops, but you'll have to really serve it in place. they aren't flexible, so you'd be stuck with a index trigger release, unless you shoot a handheld with your palm horizontally.

RE: string release
 

I am interested. I have a Truefire Judge release and may buy a Winn. I am assuming what a served string is better?:eek:

RE: string release
 

i personally don't think the knotless loop is better. i made one, and don't like it. its heavy, and stiff, and then add all the serving to keep it in place.

RE: string release
 

Those "mushroom heads" will hold if they are big enough. When I tie a loop on I make it smaller than it should be,trim off the excess to about 3/16", then light it for a second. Before the melted end hardens I tap it a little with a wet finger until the "mushroom" is about 1/8" in diameter (orat least twicethe diameter of the string), then let it cool for a few minutes. After I draw afew times the loop gets a little larger and the ends settle firmly into the knots. I've never had one pull loose! Of course you should inspect it periodically. And I wouldn't draw back toward my face...draw then lean your head towards your peep.

RE: string release
 

please don't lean your head towards the peep. the peep should meet your vertical head.

RE: string release
 

the way i was told to do it was to tie it on with a small loop, then put a pair of needle nose pliers into the loop a small ways then pull the handles out so the pliers are pushing on the string and loop titen like hell. then cut off the tag ends and melt them into a big mushroom like NCYankeesaid but dont heat to long or it will make it weak then titen it again and the ends should stay put. it sounds like u just didnt titen it first or u cut the tag ends to short but the good thing is string is cheap so u can practise a few times withoutitspending to much money. andif u pull hard enof on the pliers it will show u if it will work or not because thay put more force on the loop than pulling back the bow will

RE: string release
 

You're right gibblet!...I misspoke (or miswrote)!

RE: string release
 

I'm going with a string loop for a first time this new setup and I'm only going with the knotless loop pictured...

RE: string release
 

Here it is gibblet. The ends sunk into the knots after about ten shots. Makes me feel like I should go and have a wiz before shooting. I don't want to joint the self mulitlation club or the narcolepsy club. Please let me know what you think. I have shot twenty after this pic.

RE: string release
 

From my expierience the mushroom heads will always pull into the knot before the knot will tighten up. I guess it would make you gun shy the first time you use one.

RE: string release
 

Go to the second and third page and read what I posted there.
http://www.huntingnet.com/forum/tm.aspx?m=1174274&mpage=1

Those knotless loops are a P.I.T.A.! You gotta press your bow and remove your string just to get the dang thing on. Forget that!

If you read the thread linked you should be able to tie a loop easily and never have it fail on you.

RE: string release
 

Hey Dnk,
That loop looks good to me!

RE: string release
 

Dnk,

That's very close to how it's supposed to look, however here are a couple of tips.

1. try not to get that "burnt" look on the ends, what you want is a nice round shiny ball. Some people smash the ends to make it wider but all that does is make the end weaker. For this reason I always pre-burn my loops. This way I can burn it facing straight up (like a match) and I will get a nice solid round ball. This will not pull through. If you look at your pic, there is no way that will pull through unless the burnt end fails.

2. This goes with number one. make sure you use quality loop material that melts well, even the core should melt well. Cheap string loop material will not burn good and thus you will not get a strong "ball" at the end.

3. You need to tie the loop in opposite directions, this will assure you that the balled string ends will lock into place.

4. This is personal preference but you may want to loose the brass nocks and tie on one. I only use one nowbut have used two before.

Below are some pics to show what I mean.






See how the knots are opposite each other?

you can also see where I use one tied on knock instead of a brass nock. Like I said you can tie on two and then put your string loop around the outside like your set up now.

RE: string release
 

Here is another pic of a string loop end burned just right. This is the position that I burn it in, facing up. You will notice it will create a nice solid round ball. I also cut my loops a little shorter, they are tough to tie but once on the loop is nice and small, just big enough to fit both my arrow nock and release without either touching.

RE: string release
 

Nice post BigJ12! Pics are great!

RE: string release
 

I love the blue serving and loop BIGJ12

RE: string release
 

Ok got it now. Still find it distacting and find myself pulling my head to the side with my eyes glued to the loop. Hard to believe they won't pull through the knot. Guess its like wives, all ways keeping an eye on them in case they go postal on ya. Just kidding. I love my wife......did you read this Karin?
Just one more question, why can't the ends of the loop be served with something like dental floss? as opposed to a stupid looking mushroom? I realize that I am leaving myself open for some comments so go ahead, I'm getting used to it but has anyone else tried serving the ends of the loop to the loop itself as opposed to having the mushrooms?

RE: string release
 

I stumbled upon this thread a little late...

For me, I don't know if I could use a string loop. I mean, I just gotta have control of the bow string, not some piece of string tied on.

Say what you want, call me an idiot, call me a wuss, whatever.... I just don't think I could trust a string loop. Then again, I've never used one, never shot a bow with one on, so I don't understand the pros/cons of using one.

RE: string release
 

Butch, I may become a wuss again too. You should see the string end go into the knot like a boxer winding up. Check out the past posts on string releases. There is a particuarly long thread on this. Some of the storys are funny as hell. I just don't want to be a statistic thats why I am being so carefull. LOL
For you guys that have been commenting on this thread please check out the pic. Is the ball on the end of the string big enough? ps:gibblet, those are the fingernails that part the strands of a bow string.

RE: string release
 

i've actually got a little tool that burns the ends for me (no, not a lighter smarty pants).the good thing about it is if you have it at the right temp, the rope melts clear, and not burnt looking. the head is strongest when its a clear ball.

RE: string release
 

For those who call themselves wusses, you could always go with a product like these or something similar as long as you don't mind a little speed loss.

http://www.qadinc.com/ultra-nok.htm

RE: string release
 

Do the work MDM? Are they ok to use other than looking geeky? They remind me of a pencil pocket.

RE: string release
 

I'll tell ya after you order them by the crate. HAHA! JK.

RE: string release
 

It's not blue, that's just the flash from my cheap camera. The string is black, the serving is black and white and the loop is the same color as the one in my other picture........tell me you were kidding and you didn't really like it??:D

RE: string release
 

You can serve it but I am almost positive it will pull through so I wouldn't do that. The reason why the melted end works the best is (if done right) the melted end becomes part of the string and will not break. Also the type of knot that is usedis designed to tighten around itself. So as long as the melted end dosen't break itcan't slip past because the harder you pull themore it tightens around itself giving the end no room to pull through with a melted ball on it......make sence?

RE: string release
 

The size of the ends are fine but the pic is too small for me to see what the melted ends look like. They should be smooth and shiny. If they are too burnt they might fail. It's not hard to get it right and the material doesn't cost much. I practiced burning the ends for a while before I put one on my bow

RE: string release
 

I hear ya.... For some odd reason I just don't trust the strength of a string loop. I am so used to just clipping on my Tru-Fire wrist release directly on the bow string, that that is what I am confortable with. The roller bearings and gentle jaws on it don't hurt the serving too bad. It's got a pivoting head so there is zero string torque.

I've read stories of guys having their string loops come undone at full draw and they almost knock themselves out! [&:]:D

RE: string release
 

Ya'll that are nervous about using them have right to worry. But I have been shooting one for years and never had a problem. You just need to change it out once in a while. It doesn't look like the knot will hold, but they do. It is a Clove Hitch and we use them a lot in the fire service. The way the string is looped will cause the knot to pull tight when you draw back. There is actually no force trying to pull the burnt end through the knot. I know, it seems wrong but it isn't. When you hook your release on the loop and draw the bow, the rascal pulls very tight. Tie a Clove Hitch around a chair leg or something and you'll see what I mean. It's a great knot and just doesn't slip.

RE: string release
 

Yeah but.....

Doesn't a string loop alter your draw length? I know it will affect your anchor point. I am a solid 30" draw andso used to anchoring the top of my left index finger knuckle directly in front of my ear lobe. And that is with clipping the release right on the string.

RE: string release
 

Technically, no, your draw length is still 30 inches (or whatever.) You aren't drawing the bow any farther than you were before, but yes, it does change your anchor. Your hand will be let's say 1/4 to 1/2" farther back.

Honestly, if you shoot good without one, don't sweat it. Most guys just like them because it enables you to draw directly behind the nock, eliminating string pinch.

RE: string release
 

Sorry Big but it does look blue but more over it looks like your mushrooms are going to pull through. Is this a string that has been on for a while? My mushrooms look bigger than yours (no pun intended). How long have you had this particular string loop on your string?

RE: string release
 

The loop that BigJ12 has tied is exactly what they are suppose to look like. It is the perfect size and tied perfectly.

That one will stay tight, will not pull thru, and will stay in place on the string.

RE: string release
 

I just got that bow this year (found it in the trash) so that loop has been on all season. I haveput thousands of shots through it though.....it won't slip. The melted end does not have to be huge, just solid. Too big and you mightrun the risk of it being weak. The key is usingquality loop material. If it feels thin and stretches it's probably cheap. Look at my pic. you will see that the loop is pretty thick. It won't deform easily so it's almost impossible for the melted end to squeeze through.

I have never had one fail ever. If tied right it won't budge.

RE: string release
 

i'm trying mine like len suggested with the burn end on the bottom closest to the nock. he wouldn't tell why to do it this way, only to do it. i don't know why he wouldn't tell, he's like that sometimes.

RE: string release
 

Thanks... I just got off the phone with the bow shop and told them all about my new Reflex Highlander (just got it last night!!!!) Read my post about it:

http://www.huntingnet.com/forum/tm.aspx?m=1449496

This bow is so sweet to draw. It feels great and silky smooth. I can wait to get it properly setup (hopefully this afternoon). I told the bow shop all the details to it and what I would like. They recommended a string loop. Partly because the bow is a 30" draw and a medium/small A2A. There is too much risk forstring pinch and/or arrow nock angle(?) for a 305fps IBO speed bow.

Anyway, I will be bringing it up to them this afternoon to get looked over and setup properly for me. I don't know what to do with 6 almost brand new XX75 2315's cut to 30.5 inches (from my old bow setup).

Butch A.

RE: string release
 

BigJ12 has it right. The loop ends should not be burnt to the extent that the material turns black -- is should remain the same color as the loop material. He is also correct about not mashing or flattening the balls of the loop -- both of these thingswill make them brittle and weaker. Also tie them on opposite as stated -- for a RH shooter have the loop part on the bottom come off the right side of the string and on top on the left. This will allow the loop to not torque under the natural rendancy for a RH shooter to rotate their release slightly CCW (looking from behind), especially hand-held releases.

I also use tie in nocks inside the loop. I find that loop knots are too large and inconsistant for me to want a nock touching -- I make the bottom tied in nock longer thant the top. This puts the pressure pull point of your release directly behind the arrow -- if you made them both the same size, the pressure point will be slightly above as your bow hand is below the pulling point on the bowstring.The larger bottom nock pointalso will prevent your arrow from lifting off your rest during the draw cycle. I also like to have about 1 serving wrap of clearance between the arrow nock and the nock points -- I find this to be the most consistant and forgiving method.

Notice in the picture below:

-- The "mushroom balls" are large and are not discolored -- they are extremely strong and not brittle this way -- no way could they pull through.

-- The loop knots are opposite as I described above.

-- There are tied in nock points inside the loop with the bottom one longer than the top.

This is not my bow, but a string set I did up for someone else -- I actually prefer smaller length loops.