How many strands for flemish fast flite

[Outrigger]

I have been shopping around for a new flemish fast flite string. 3Rivers describes their strings as 18-strands for a balance between speed and thickness for proper nock fit. Another major player describes theirs as 12 strand strings consisting of 3 Bundles which makes them rounder and considerably more homogeneous, making it easier to release the arrow from the string.
Which one would you go with?

[Igor]

I make mine with 8 for bows under 55# and 10 for bows over that using D-10 and then I use dental floss for the nock area so I get the fit I want for the arrow nock. If it were me I would go for the smaller string and adjust the nock area for your arrow nock. There are great string makers on this site that can take care of your needs too...

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Glenn

[30coupe]

I like 10 strands of D97 with .022 serving. My carbons have Supernocks and the fit is so that I can hang an arrow on the string and a light tap of the string knocks it off. If you are shooting woodies, some of those nocks are a lot bigger though.

As Igor mentioned, there are several really great string makers here who will fix you up. They should be able to get the serving to fit your nocks if you let them know what nocks you are using. I make my own, so I haven't used any of the commercial ones.

[Bladepeek]

I have 8-strand SBD strings on my mid 40# longbows and 50# recurves. Definitely moved me up a notch in arrow spine. Also reduced the amount of hand shock on my "D" type bow to nothing. I was definitely feeling vibration from the original fat string.

[sheephunter]

Is there a large difference between the D-10 or D-97? What are the pros and cons? Less strands or more strands with the different materials? Sorry to highjack...

[eflanders]

The strand count should vary based on the bows poundage.  
The serving diameter is based on the knock style you use.  
Contact any of the fine custom string makers here and they will determine for you the most appropriate string for your bow.

[Burnsie]

18 strands of fast-flite is way over built unless your into a super heavy bow. You can go to the other extreme as well and get on the super skinny string bandwagon and go with a 6-8 strand string.  As with most things in life I like somewhere in the middle, 10-12 strand would be fine,  but without knowing your bow weight can't give a for-sure answer

[Bjorn]

18 strands is about right for towing your car out of a ditch!
I like 8 strands of ultra for my 50# bows. D97 creeps so it will take more-10 strands.

[Outrigger]

I hunt with a 45 pound Martin Dream Catcher, but I am going to buy a 35 pound Samick Sage to work on my shooting technique. From what I have read, I should immediately replace the dacron string with a fast flite one. As suggested here, I thought that 18 strands was on the heavy side, but that was the only option I saw for the 3Rivers string. Surprises me since I consider 3Rivers to be one of the best Trad suppliers.

[LBR]

18-21 strands of (original) Fast Flight used to the the standard.  

Nowadays, the term "Fast Flight" is used both for a specific material and a generic name for  most any HMPE material.

18 strands of the Fast Flight brand name is a one-size-fits-all string.  It's just not practical for a store to try and stock strings built for specific draw weights--that's why there are vendors like me.  I don't stock strings, I make them to order--too many different materials, colors, lengths, bow types, draw weights, etc. etc. etc. to try to stock a string for each one.

I keep several different types and sizes (and colors) of serving material on hand--another variable that makes it impractical for stores to try and stock strings to fit a specific bow.  There's no standard for nock fit, then add different material types and strand counts...it can get pretty deep.

Then you have personal preferance.  Some like the "skinny" strings, some fat, some in-between.  3 Rivers would need a small warehouse just for strings......

There's not a big difference between Dynaflight 10 and Dynaflight 97.  D-10 is SK78 Dyneema, D-97 is SK75 Dyneema.  8190 is SK90, but still not a huge difference.  D-10 isn't on the market anymore, except as Force 10 crossbow string material.

There's an FAQ section about strings on my site, with more added as it's brought to my attention.

Chad

[LBR]

Almost forgot--IMO, if you use proper back twist, a 2 bundle string will be just as round as a 3 bundle, expecially when served.  I make both, and have shot both, ever found any benefit to a 3-bundle except you can choose 3 separate colors.

[Reaper TN]

I find that 12 strand D-10 with .030 Halo and 14 strand D-10 with .024 Halo fit my Gold Tip nocks perfect after about 50 or so break-in shots.  I really like the D-10 material, zero creep. I know what works for me and have never pulled the trigger on a "skinny" string yet. Maybe someday.  

[30coupe]

Originally posted by LBR:
Almost forgot--IMO, if you use proper back twist, a 2 bundle string will be just as round as a 3 bundle, expecially when served.  I make both, and have shot both, ever found any benefit to a 3-bundle except you can choose 3 separate colors.

I agree with Chad completely. I've tried 2 and 3 and find no difference other than color. Well, that and it takes me longer to do 3 bundle strings. Maybe because I don't practice it, since I see no advantage.

I should also add to my post that I pad the loops of my 10 strand strings to 16. I use B50 for padding. I don't think I could draw a bow that needed an 18 strand D97 string.    Ten strands are kind of overkill on my mid to upper 40s bows, but I like them.

I use 14 strands of D97 in my strings. I know I could go skinnier but i got everything set up perfect on my longbow withthe 14 strand string and don't want to retune.

Bisch

[Outrigger]

Thanks guys. This is good info. LBR, I have put your web site in my favorites, and will probably be in touch.