Monofilament serving

[zepnut]

Curious as to what your preference is and why
mono or nylon

[Msturm]

I use 20 lb test mono. it is what I have on hand. I have not had problems with it. But I have only just started to make strings.


Msturm

[Bvas]

Just started making strings myself.
I went with nylon for end servings and spectra for center. Spectra is some 65lb braided fishing line I already had. I needed something thin to fit my nocks, but wanted it durable. So far, it has worked well for me.

[bamboo]

mono center servings are slick and tough

 -if you check the fishing line spools they have a thickness listed in inches-typically it is very accurate

--I have found .021"--.023" to be about right for most modern materials w/moderate strand counts

-I also have found the cheap-stiffer monofilament lines -often found in large spools  work best

-I also re-spool them on empty serving spools with my cordless drill-in order to fit into serving tools

[Charlie Lamb]

Years ago I tried monofilament and didn't like it. It seemed to improve arrow speed and release was really slick.

Maybe it's changed, but I found it to be noisy and it was really hard to tell if it needed replacing. In the event the serving did fail it all came loose like a coil spring.

[hawkeye n pa]

X2 Mr. Lamb.  

Nylon can be hand wrapped and tied in the field if needed.  Never was able to do that with mono.  Although it seldom happens, but has none the less. (Mr. Murphy)

[tracker12]

When I got my bow from Leon Stewart the string he made had mono for the serving.  I think he told me he used the cheapest Berkeley line he could get from Wally World.  I think it worked fine.

[Gordon Jabben]

I still use mono but it's getting harder to find at the local archery shops. Seems like I tried fishing line once, may have to try it again.

[LBR]

There's a reason mono serving has all but disappeared.  Customers drive the market.

I don't care for nylon so much either--only comes in one size, and isn't very durable.

I use materials designed for the purpose.  Halo, 62XS, and Power Grip.

[RAGHORN 3]

I am really happy with 50# Berkley Big Game trilene, high viz green. The 1st 10 shots or so the nocks are a little tight, after that they seem to have a perfect firm fit.

No mono for me! Halo is the best serving material I have found, and I use it on all my bowstrings.

Bisch

[monterey]

Hmmmm, how about the braided fishing line?  What's it made of?

[Orion]

I still have some mono, but don't use it anymore.  Gives a very good release, but doesn't wear as well as the Halo or fast flite I use now. I'd probably use mono over nylon though.

[macbow]

Like charlie said when it breaks it all unravels.
Can't begin to guess the number of failures I tried to fix on the coarse in the '80's.

[Eric Krewson]

Yep, nothing like shooting on a 3D course and hearing that pop/werrrr and seeing your mono serving unravel completely. I quit using the stuff years ago.

[RAGHORN 3]

I keep a couple spools on hand. If I see any sign of wear on the mono? I replace. Also I replace a week or two before the hunting season starts. As everyone has stated, once it goes, it goes!

[Zradix]

Originally posted by Charlie Lamb:
Years ago I tried monofilament and didn't like it. It seemed to improve arrow speed and release was really slick.

Maybe it's changed, but I found it to be noisy and it was really hard to tell if it needed replacing. In the event the serving did fail it all came loose like a coil spring.

Agreed.
Also with my leather tab it wore little grooves into it.

[Terry Green]

I can't wait to bid on the St Judes Auction!!!

[Overspined]

Another Halo vote

[Adam Keiper]

I've had mono suddenly break and uncoil wayyyy too many times over the years.  I haven't used it for years.  Brownell's nylon serving thread is cheap and so much better.