ATARNarchive

Adjustable bowstring knot?

5 posts2008live thread
PunyViking
Hi

I'm looking for the knot used on a string on a turkish bow. The knot is adjustable so the string can be made sorter or longer depending what you need. I saw a picture in one of the bowyers bibles, but I can't seem to find it anymore and it didn't show how to make it.

If someone could please help me I would be most greatful!

-K.B
Evan Painter
I use the timber hitch, it is a simple knot to tie though it takes a little experience or adjustment to get the string coming of the center of the bow.
I don't know about for a turkish bow but it works for both the longbows and the hornbow I have.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timber_hitch

there is a link that has a picture of how to tie it, you can find more by searching for timber hitch if you need to.


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PunyViking
I use the timberhitch on my longbow, but it would not work on a bow with siyhas. The loop must be longer, and the knot can't be tight around the nock.
Bede
There is a knot illustrated in Saracen Archery (Fig. 13, p. 23), which is what you are after. It can be adjusted and has a loop length that can be separately adjusted too. I have tried it out with modern material strings. It is very stable.
I have seen a variation in an Archer-Atinquaries Journal with a small piece of wood inserted in the knot to allow easier adjustment. However, it might have only be used on strength testing bows.