What's purpose of the thin strings in the bottom (see pic) and where do you buy them?

Discussion in 'Badminton Stringing Techniques & Tools' started by InvincibleAjay, May 27, 2015.

  1. InvincibleAjay

    InvincibleAjay Regular Member

    Joined:
    Aug 29, 2011
    Messages:
    573
    Likes Received:
    91
    Occupation:
    Badminton Coach
    Location:
    United Kingdom
    Hi all,

    Not myself but I seen on some players rackets, thin string is used on the bottom cross (see attached pictures). What is its purpose? Is it to minimise string movement in the mains? Also if it is beneficial, where can you buy this string from? It seems to be quite thin and very plastic like. Anyone that can help shed further light on the matter, would be welcomed.

    20150528_005733.jpg
    20150528_005748.jpg
    20150528_005803.jpg

    (apologies for poor camera pics, its 1am here and I am using mobile phone camera)

    Kindest regards,


    -Ajay-


    Quote of the Day
    Nothing happens until you move.
     
  2. aldow82

    aldow82 Regular Member

    Joined:
    May 26, 2015
    Messages:
    29
    Likes Received:
    1
    Occupation:
    drilling fluid specialist
    Location:
    Indonesia
    I have never seen like that.. but I think it just to minimize string movement.. I always do normal string to all my racket..

    -aldow-
     
  3. AlanY

    AlanY Regular Member

    Joined:
    Jan 4, 2008
    Messages:
    5,133
    Likes Received:
    238
    Location:
    England
    I believe That is the service line to decide who to serve first, a bit old school.
    If you run your finger over it, one side is smooth and the other side is rough.

    Your opponent calls out 'smooth' or 'rough' before you spin your racket then run your finger over it to check who to serve first.
     
    #3 AlanY, May 27, 2015
    Last edited: May 27, 2015
  4. kwun

    kwun Administrator

    Joined:
    Apr 24, 2002
    Messages:
    41,043
    Likes Received:
    2,066
    Occupation:
    BC Janitor
    Location:
    Santa Clara, CA, USA
    the process is very very old. when string probably tensioned by hand.

    the process is called "trebling", partly for decoration and partly for keeping the string in place. remember that the tension will be much lower than today and there will be more string movement.

    unfortunately i think it also means that the feel of the string will be dampened.
     
  5. InvincibleAjay

    InvincibleAjay Regular Member

    Joined:
    Aug 29, 2011
    Messages:
    573
    Likes Received:
    91
    Occupation:
    Badminton Coach
    Location:
    United Kingdom
    Interesting, thanks. I always wondered about it, so I don't need to bother doing it to my string jobs, that's good to know.

    Kindest regards,

    -Ajay-

    Quote of the Day
    Nothing happens until you move.
     
  6. Mark A

    Mark A Regular Member

    Joined:
    Sep 2, 2005
    Messages:
    7,170
    Likes Received:
    695
    Location:
    St Helens, UK
    I am old enough to remember "rough or smooth"...

    Kill me.

    We went from that to the racket spin "right or wrong" logo landing:D.
     
  7. DuckFeet

    DuckFeet Regular Member

    Joined:
    Feb 22, 2012
    Messages:
    2,033
    Likes Received:
    320
    Occupation:
    Computer rebooter
    Location:
    Swindon
    "Carlton arrow up or down" arg. Played with a guy last night that still has that style. I want to cut them out when he isn't looking.
     
  8. Orangie

    Orangie Regular Member

    Joined:
    Dec 15, 2010
    Messages:
    132
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    SG
    This reminds me of the time we spun racket to see the butt cap of the racket to see who serves 1st.
     
  9. Cheung

    Cheung Moderator

    Joined:
    Apr 25, 2002
    Messages:
    23,818
    Likes Received:
    4,791
    Occupation:
    wannabe badminton phototaker
    Location:
    Outside the box
    There you have it. Rough or smooth. I was just a kid those days... Do you remember Hy-sheep and Hy-O-Sheep :D

    When I got more experienced, I saw people would throw the shuttle up and decide the serve by which end the cork would point to.
     
    #9 Cheung, May 28, 2015
    Last edited: May 28, 2015
  10. Cheung

    Cheung Moderator

    Joined:
    Apr 25, 2002
    Messages:
    23,818
    Likes Received:
    4,791
    Occupation:
    wannabe badminton phototaker
    Location:
    Outside the box
    Ajay

    I haven't seen a racquet done like that in decades. It surprises me it is still in fashion!
     
  11. Kennyb

    Kennyb Regular Member

    Joined:
    Jul 2, 2003
    Messages:
    116
    Likes Received:
    1
    Location:
    London UK
    Man... That was so nostalgic to see that again on a racquet. Thanks for sharing it!! :)

    So tempted to try and put that on my racket when I next string them. :p
     
  12. DuckFeet

    DuckFeet Regular Member

    Joined:
    Feb 22, 2012
    Messages:
    2,033
    Likes Received:
    320
    Occupation:
    Computer rebooter
    Location:
    Swindon
    Me being a pro, I hit it in the air with slice/angle so I get choice of end/serve ;)
     
  13. InvincibleAjay

    InvincibleAjay Regular Member

    Joined:
    Aug 29, 2011
    Messages:
    573
    Likes Received:
    91
    Occupation:
    Badminton Coach
    Location:
    United Kingdom
    I think I may know the stringer, he is in a different city but if I next bump into him, I will ask him more about it. He is in his 60's, ex national player and a decent coach, I think he has been stringing probably over 40 years plus and maybe it is a habit of his. It's like a trademark I suppose now as I know whose racket he has strung from this bottom cross. Like I say I don't see many that do this.

    I would love to try it out but don't have a clue where to buy that small thin string from, any ideas anyone?

    Finally I still spin the racket and decide who goes on court when I do my sessions by the logo on the butt cap but during my clubnights and matches we throw a shuttle in the air and determine the server by the direction the cork is facing. Sometimes it is funny as I have had a record of 4 times in a row once where the shuttle landed cork facing upwards, lol. In the end I just served as I guessed I deserved it by doing so many flukes! :D

    Kindest regards,

    -Ajay-

    Quote of the Day
    Given a choice between two theories, take the one which is funnier.
     
  14. mater

    mater Regular Member

    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2009
    Messages:
    514
    Likes Received:
    24
    Occupation:
    Nomad
    Location:
    Badminton Central
    I'm not old enough or played long enough to remember all these other methods, interesting though, I guess it shows up depending on the region and players involved.

    I just pop the shuttle up, which side the cork points to serves, if it is in between, opponent, if it is standing, mine. Simple enough, don't need to pop it up multiple times if it points half way or standing.
     
  15. Mark A

    Mark A Regular Member

    Joined:
    Sep 2, 2005
    Messages:
    7,170
    Likes Received:
    695
    Location:
    St Helens, UK
    Our club record is five - three "up"s and two "indeterminate"s.
     
  16. mater

    mater Regular Member

    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2009
    Messages:
    514
    Likes Received:
    24
    Occupation:
    Nomad
    Location:
    Badminton Central
    Hahaha, I see it all the time, players on the court turning their bodies and tilting their heads looking at the "indeterminates", trying to figure is it ours, is it theirs, should we toss it again....
     
  17. _Rav_

    _Rav_ Regular Member

    Joined:
    Oct 26, 2010
    Messages:
    209
    Likes Received:
    10
    Occupation:
    Gofer
    Location:
    UK
    Yonex are good for that, balls up or down? Its always a balls up on court when i play :D
     
  18. AlanY

    AlanY Regular Member

    Joined:
    Jan 4, 2008
    Messages:
    5,133
    Likes Received:
    238
    Location:
    England
    They are just fishing lines that you can get from any shop that sells angling gears or hardware shops.

    Or just use the off cuts from the string you're stringing with.
     
  19. icepilot

    icepilot Regular Member

    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2013
    Messages:
    183
    Likes Received:
    1
    Occupation:
    Commercial Manager
    Location:
    Leeds
    Try 'Gefen Sports' based in London, they have a website and sell 'proper' Trebling string on there.
     
  20. InvincibleAjay

    InvincibleAjay Regular Member

    Joined:
    Aug 29, 2011
    Messages:
    573
    Likes Received:
    91
    Occupation:
    Badminton Coach
    Location:
    United Kingdom
    Thanks Alan I will try a fishing shop. Normal offcuts are too thick, these string are noticeably thinner and more flexible.

    Kindest regards,

    -Ajay-

    Quote of the Day
    Use soft words and hard arguments.
     

Share This Page