New string material, feedback needed.

[koger]

I am thinking of getting some new fast flight type or some BCY B55, which is supposed to be easy on limb tips for older bows, but be faster than B50, and less stretch. I am not too worried about the few FPS faster, but like a low stretch string. How do you guys feel about D-97? I think this is what is on the Quinn bows, have several andd thinking of making new strings up shortly for them. Or should I just stay with the B-50. I have a bunch of B50 from making my own flemish strings, all feedback appreicated.

[rraming]

Do a search - LBR posted this already - I believe it is still Dacron and NOT fast flight but I've been wrong before.

[Orion]

B55 is dacron.  Replaces B 50.  D-97 has less stretch.  That's what I'm currently using. In my opinion it's quieter than dacron and reduces bow vibration/hand shock more than B-50.  Also a few fps quicker.

[Rob DiStefano]

like b500, b55 is polyester ('dacron' is a trad name, like 'dyneema').  though i haven't used it yet, reading the writeup tells me it's just another form of dacron fiber.  no thanx.  

if yer bow can handle the more modern hmpe fibers ('dyneema', 'vectran', 'spectra', etc.) that would be the better bowstring material as its far higher tensile strength will allow less strands and make for a quieter bowstring.

[LBR]

I have a couple of spools of B-55 to tinker with.  I was planning on doing that a week or two ago, but got swamped with regular orders, so the tinkering was put on the back burner.  I still plan to do it though, hopefully soon.

B-55 is supposed to be a reduced stretch dacron--I don't know yet how much it's improved, or if I will even carry it.  The last time BCY and Brownell tried to improve their dacron materials it didn't go too well.

If the bow is made for it, I prefer Dynaflight '97 of Formula 8125.

Chad

[Jesse Peltan]

Use 8125.  I'm using 8125 on all my bows.  Even an old bear black bear bow.  It's 40# and I'm using 4strands padded to 20.  Here's some numbers for 8125; 3strands should be used for draw weights under 37#, 4 should be used for draw weights 37-49#, 6 strands should be used for draw weights between 49# and 73#, 8 strands for 74-97.  Pad to 20-21 for the older bows or 15-16 for the newer ones.  Now these guide lines are the SAFEST strand counts.  They exert the least amount of stress on the bow.  Don't use more or less than these guide lines if you go with 8125.  These are safe for ALL bows and they are quieter, faster, and produce less handshock than any dacron string.  However, your bow will need to be retuned for the new string because of the extra energy available that used to go into making noise and vibration.  The bow might be louder at first because it is out of tune, but when it is tuned it should be several times quieter.  I personally think that these are EASIER on the bow than dacron because they put the same amount of stress on the tips, less stress on the limbs, and less stress on the riser.  I think that using skinny padded 8125 strings will prevent stress cracks in a bows limbs and riser in the long run as well as preventing delaminations.

[LBR]

Out of curiosity, how were these guidelines developed?  How many different brands, styles, lengths, draw lengths, etc. etc. etc. were tested?

Chad

[Maxximusgrind]

I have B-50 in lots of colors and its easy,I was wondering about the b55 too,and how different it was-or if close enough to mix the two?
 I thought about trying FF but its pretty spendy by comparison,and All of my bows came with b50.Right now,I make a 16 dollar string and the next couple dozen are free.
 I have been curious about the different types of materials,maybe more info will help me get over my cheapness.

[koger]

Guys thanks for all the feedback. I decided to go with D-97, after talking to bowyers and string makers alike. D-97 was on most of my bows except older ones that need B-50. Most of my bows are #50,well all of them, and under, so will be using 12-14 strand strings. How does this sound Chad?

[LBR]

12-14 won't hurt a thing, but I'd be more inclined towards 10 (16 in the loops) for draw weights under 50#.  I don't like to go under 10 except for really light weights or non hunting bows--easier to goof with a broadhead, barbed wire fence, etc.

Chad