String Help

[cut2manytimes]

I recently bought a Damon Howatt Hunter recurve AT 62 amo and 60#@28 in but the string that it came with is WAY to long. Its hitting me in the back of the hand when  i shoot. can someone help me and tell me what string i should get?

[sticksnstones]

We've got lots of great string makers as sponsors here. I'm sure you're about to get a bunch of endorsements for them. Many of the older recurves can't take a Fast Flight string, if in doubt I'd suggest a B50 string when you order one.

I've got a couple questions for you:
How long is that string when you lay it flat and measure it?
How many twists per inch can you see on it? (or how many inches per twist maybe)
Do you know how to measure the brace height? If so what is it currently?

BTW, welcome to the gang!
Thom

[cut2manytimes]

The length of the string is 59 inches and the brace height is 3-3.5 and the twist looks to be about .5-1 per inch

[sticksnstones]

Wow! That's way too low, don't shoot it like that! I'd want to be in 7" to 7.5" brace height range to start with. Some guys shoot those around 8", but I'd work towards that slowly as you get settled in with it.

Length sounds right for a 62" AMO, I'd start twisting it up til you hit the brace height, or hit 4-5 twists per inch. If the strings starts coiling back up on itself when you twist it, you've hit the limit.

If it won't brace with that string I'd call up Oliver Stacy or SBD (Silent But Deadly) and tell them your situation. Either of them could set you up with what you need. They could probably figure out if that Damon is FF ready or not.
Thom

[Outwest]

You need a 58" string.
Oliver Stacy made one for my H Hunter and it is perfect.
Twist it up til you have a brace height of 7 5/8 " and start from there.


John

[texbow2]

+1 on 58" string, in general recurve AMO-4" and LB AMO-3 "

[sticksnstones]

Ah yes, -4" for recurves. Thanks for chiming in!

[LBR]

AMO states 3" shorter regardless of the bow.  The way it's written up is the AMO bow length should be marked 3" longer than the "bow string master" (steel cable) that puts it at proper brace height.

 http://www.texasarchery.org/Documents/AMO/AMOStandards.pdf

AMO CONVENTIONAL
BOW LENGTH STANDARD
AMO Bow Length Standard is designated to be three inches longer than AMO
Bow String Master that braces bow at proper String or Brace Height. Bow String
Master will carry only the bow length designation. Example: A Bow String
Master designated as AMO 66” (bow length) will have an actual length under
tension of 63”.

That only matters is the bow is made and marked by AMO specs--many are not, including some Martin/Howatt bows.  I've seen recurves get strings varying from 2.5" to 6" shorter than the bow length, longbows 1.5" to 4" shorter.  Safe bet is to order or make a string using the actual string length.

Chad

[JRY309]

My 62" Hunter I make a 59" string for it,3" shorter then AMO.Gives me a 7.5" brace,right where it shoots great.How old is your Hunter? If it is older then 1995 it will use a dacron.If it has black fiberglass tip overlays you can use FF type strings.

[sticksnstones]

Nice post Chad, they don't teach it that way in the "hey newbie, make your own strings" videos. Always something to learn here, thank you!
Thom

[LBR]

I found out the hard way--after around 20 years and several thousand strings, can't help but learn a few things along the way.

I try to point this out when the topic of string length, making a flemish string board, etc. comes up--home it saves someone some of the frustration I had to deal with.  We mention it in our videos...