A question of strings

[rksstickboy]

Years ago when I switched from a hand me down Bear recurve to a compound, the only string available was black stranded and either fully wrapped, or partially wrapped, or was a nylon cord. (yep it's been awhile)  Now I'm seeing a variety of strings like Dacron, flemish twist, and fast flight. (just the first few that popped into my mind.) I also see that bows must be rated for the intended string (the  fast flight anyway). So what gives?  What is a fast flight string, what makes so damaging to bows not rated for it.  What string is the quietest?  What string type is the easiest to tune the brace height with?

[Shape Shifter]

Dacron strings have some stretch in them which in turns makes them more forgiving. Fast flight strings have very little stretch if any at all. If you put a flight flight string on a bow not rated for it you will in no time destroy the tip overlays. Bows rated for fast flight strings have reinforced limb tips to deal with the lack of stretch in the string.Dacron is generally quiter but that can sometimes depend on the bow and the number of strands in the string.

[rksstickboy]

thank you That clears up alot.

I have been loaned a nice bow built by Great Plains Bows.  I was told it is not the original string, but the current owner does not know what the string is.  So if I buy this bow and decide to replace the string it sounds like Dacron would be the way to go.

Keith