Bow String Serving is an often-underestimated aspect of bow maintenance that significantly impacts archery performance. Many bowhunters and archers overlook the condition of their bowstring and cable servings, but neglecting them can lead to inconsistencies and decreased accuracy. As a crucial component, proper serving techniques are essential for ensuring durability and reliability in your archery setup.
Professional archers like Levi Morgan understand the critical role servings play. Paying close attention to serving techniques ensures consistent bow performance, preventing issues that arise from wear and tear. One of the most common problems is serving separation or “crawling,” where the serving thread shifts, creating gaps and inconsistencies. This is frequently observed after removing a D-loop, revealing a space where the loop was tied, indicating serving movement.
Serving movement is particularly detrimental in the nock area, affecting nock fit and release consistency. Similarly, pressure from the cams can cause serving separation around the cam contact points. To combat these issues, a robust serving method is necessary to bind the entire serving run together, preventing unwanted movement.
Levi Morgan employs a unique weaving technique to lock the serving in place. This involves incorporating the tag end of the serving thread into the main wraps. Start with a tag end as long as the intended serving length. After about 10 to 20 wraps over this tag end, pull the tag end out, make one wrap around the main string, and lay the tag end back down for another 10 to 20 wraps. Repeat this weave-in process throughout the entire serving run. This interweaving essentially ties each layer of serving to the next, creating a unified and robust structure.
As you approach the end of the serving, about half an inch from the desired stopping point, simply pull the tag end out completely and finish the remaining wraps without it. The tightness of the serving is paramount to the effectiveness of this technique. A tighter serve is not only stronger but also more effective at preventing any form of serving crawl.
Maintaining even pressure during the serving process is equally critical. Loosely served threads result in a larger diameter and weaker serving. Conversely, increasing tension during serving reduces the diameter and significantly enhances its strength. Achieving consistent, high-tension serving requires a quality, adjustable serving tool. Keep the tool firmly pressed against the string to maintain your desired tension throughout the process. While the very beginning and end of the serve might be slightly less uniform due to manual wrapping without the tool, ensure you leave ample room at both ends to accommodate these minor inconsistencies.
The final steps in creating a durable serving involve properly finishing and securing the loose ends. After completing the serving run, you’ll have two ends: the tag end and the main serving line. Cut these ends, leaving approximately a quarter of an inch extending from the serving. Fray these ends slightly before carefully melting them with a lighter. As the melted end nears the serving, gently flatten and press it down around the wrapped serving. This process creates a mushroomed cap that prevents the ends from slipping back through the wraps and unraveling the entire serving. For added security, many archers apply a small dot of glue to these burned ends as a precautionary measure.
While bow string serving might not be the most glamorous aspect of archery, mastering it is a fundamental skill for any serious archer. Understanding and implementing these techniques ensures your bow performs consistently and reliably. Remember the key principles: weave the tag line into the main wrap throughout the serving length, maintain tight and consistent tension using a serving tool, and properly finish and secure the tag ends by fraying, burning, and flattening them. By focusing on these crucial steps, you can create durable and effective servings, contributing to improved accuracy and confidence in your archery pursuits.
