How to tie the Bowyer's Knot, aka Timber Hitch

UPDATE (12-13-14): Check out the latest blog post discussing Fast Flight string material and bowyering and an ancient adjustable knot from Japanese Archery.

This is a short how-to on tying the Bowyer's Knot. Also known as the Timber hitch, the bowyer's knot is an incredibly useful knot and is one of the easier knots to learn.  For the bowyer, this namesake knot is used to form a bowstring loop that can be quickly undone and retied to change the length of a bow string.  This is particularly useful during the tillering process when you start checking the bend of your bow with a long string  and progressively shorten the string during the tillering process until a full brace height is achieved   In addition to its use on the tillering string, the bowyer's knot can also be used on a finished bow string, typically forming the nock loop at one end of the string, while the other nock loop is formed by either a bowline knot or Flemish twist loop.  Using the bowyer's knot on a finished string is not a common practice these days, but I find it handy for making a quick string for a kids bow, or for natural materials strings such as rawhide or sinew, where humidity can affect the length of the string requiring slight adjustments. This is the same knot used by luthiers to secure guitar strings to the bridge.

As a bowyer you will find this knot to be indispensable.  It acts as a secure slip knot that is easily loosened and undone or adjusted.  It is a great utility knot with many other uses beyond bows and guitars. Making predictable adjustments to the length of your string with this knot comes with experience, but tying the knot itself and adjusting it are easy enough that the beginner has no problem achieving the proper string length with a little trial and error. 


Tying the Bowyer's Knot

Take the end of your string and form a loop

Take the end of your string and lay it back over itself, passing it through the loop

Repeat step 2 for 3-4 times, and your knot is complete


Here are several illustrations of the completed bowyer's knot:

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Thanks,
Carson Brown
Echo Archery