String strand count question

[Easternarcher]

Good Morning Folks!

Looking for a concenus here on number of strands of B50 for a 55lb longbow? First 55 pounder I've made and not sure of string count.

Any suggestions for best performance from an R/D???

[Pat B]

I use 14 strands of B-50 for bows over 50# and 12 strands for anything under. I haven't make bows over 60# or so

[Easternarcher]

I use 14 strands of B-50 for bows over 50# and 12 strands for anything under. I haven't make bows over 60# or so

I was planing on 3 ply so if I did 3 plys of 5 ea. I'd be good to go then...

[Pat B]

You'll be fine with that. Others may suggest fewer strands but I would rather have the extra insurance. I've never had a string break. (bite my tongue)

[El Destructo]

                       I build all of my Bows around 50-55 pounds...and make all of My Strings 14 strand 2 Ply.......JMO

[PeteC]

I use 15 strands whether 2 or 3 ply for 50# and over.God Bless

[bobnewboy]

Regardless of the overall number of strands, I always use 3 skeins/plies of strands.  I find that 2 skeins give an odd shaped string section which needs more twists to make it round, when compared to 3 skeins.  If making spiral coloured strings, I use two skeins of the lighter colour, and one of the darker colour.  My favourite combo is yellow with black 

[Hillbilly]

I always use 14-strand two-plies for about everything. Oddly, I have made many three-ply and two ply strings, and have come to prefer the two-plies myself.

[El Destructo]

I always use 14-strand two-plies for about everything. Oddly, I have made many three-ply and two ply strings, and have come to prefer the two-plies myself.

                                                                           I must Concur...........

[Bent Rig]

Do you guys like the 2 ply bundles because they are easier to make ? I thought the reasoning behind the 3 ply was that they made a rounder string ? I will have to try a 3 ply and decide myself -just wondering what your thoughts were are both . 

[CraigMBeckett]

I prefer 3 ply for the reason stated by bobnewboy, I also try and use 3 different colours. My B50's are made with white, brown and green and I think they look good.

Craig.

[woodstick]

i use 2 ply 15 strands i aint got the 3 ply down to my satisfaction yet. black and red looks good.

[Okie]

Wow, I must be under building my strings. I use 12 strands of B-50 2 ply on everything under 60#. Never had a problem... yet!

[Bent Rig]

20 - 30lbs. -  8 strands
30 - 35lbs. - 10 strands
35 - 45lbs. - 12 strands
45 - 55lbs. - 14 strands
55 - 80lbs. - 16 strands

[bobnewboy]

Another thing I've started doing is following a suggestion by Marc St Louis in an old copy of PA (I bought the whole back catalogue!  )

He suggested that when making a single-ended string (i.e one with only one laid-in loop), that the 'open' end could be plaited.  I have done this a few times now, when I'm unsure of the correct string length (we all have that moment...), plaiting-in the last 4-6 inches of the string.  This makes for a flat piece of bowstring at the other bow nock, and for me this seems to slip less when tied into a bowyer's knot/hitch than the round section of the rest of the string, even when waxed.  An example of this can be seen in my build-along:

http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,14045.30.html