The usual fastening at the lower nock is with a timber hitch, tied as shown in Figure 47.

The string just described will take a bow of any weight up to 50 pounds. If a heavier string is wanted, use 9 strands of the 6-cord Barbour's Irish flax sinew instead of 6 as for the string just described. To form the loop on this heavier string, make 3 groups of 3 short and 3 long ends instead of 2 short and 2 long ends, and proceed just as with the lighter string.

For bows pulling 40 pounds or more, the loops may be reinforced by laying in an extra strand for each of the three groups and working it in with the others. These strands should be about twice as long as the distance from the ends to the middle of the loop (see Fig. 48). This reinforcing is not so essential if the loop is wrapped tightly and evenly.

After the bow has been properly braced, the string should be served at the nocking place to a thickness of almost 1/8 in. and long enough to cover that portion of the string touched by the fingers while shooting. This saves the string from wear and at the same time is easier on the fingers. This serving should be done while the bow is braced. Sometimes the string is served with a contrasting color at the exact point of nocking to assist the archer when shooting.