New String Material - Mercury

[LBR]

If you haven't heard, Mercury is SK99 Dyneema (100%).  DSM, the manufacturer of Dyneema, is discontinuing SK90 in favor of SK99.  This means that 8190 Universal and 8190F will be no more, and BCY-X will have the formula changed once supplies run out.  Also means the end of Fury, but I have no idea what Brownell's plans are to remedy that.

It's a very small diameter material...about 1/2 the diameter of Dynaflight '97, even smaller than 8190F.  I made a 28 strand last night, but it looks a bit chubby...I'm going to make a 24 strand next and see how that looks.  Plan to shoot it on a Samick Journey and go from there.  My "tests" are pretty informal...see how it feels, how it sounds, and how much it settles in.  I expect good results, as I'm already pretty familiar with Dyneema.  Anxious to try the new BCY-X when it comes around (still my favorite).

I only have black and red at the moment, but will stock up on colors soon.

Chad

[LBR]

24 strands seems to be the ticket.  Got the string on a bow right now, appears that the initial stretch/creep is minimal.  Going to let it sit until at least tomorrow, may take it off and see if it moves on my stretcher.

[Greg Owen]

Interesting info, thanks for sharing your expertise!

[Matabele]

Interesting stuff, thanks for sharing

[ozy clint]

1/2 the diameter of D97! Is it comparable in strength to D97, strand for strand?

That would halve the size of my 8 strand D97.

[Breathn]

Really liking mercury a lot,cleanest ,best laying material I've seen..I agree on 24 strands being ticket ..Been doing 32 on compounds.

[SteveB]

Chad and Breathn - you do it in flemish or endless?

[30coupe]

I don't think I'll run out of D97 any time soon, so I kind of doubt I'll be trying this stuff. I do wonder about the cost compared to D97 and also how it is packaged. If I have to use twice as many strands to get a string the same size as a D97, does that mean I'll go through this stuff twice as fast or are the spools by weight rather than length?

I shoot a 9 strand, three bundle, padded to 18 strands in the loops on my 45-50# bows. I think I'm using .026 serving over that, so my nocks fit perfectly. I'm not sure I can get much fatter serving thread, so that would mean padding the serving area as well. I've done that before to accommodate the nocks on some woodies, but it's kind of a PITA.

Couple these things with the fact that I'm an old fart, rather set in my ways, and I just don't think I see the need for two or three new spools of string. I do, however, enjoy reading about these things, so thanks for reporting your findings, Chad. I'll follow this thread and see if it changes my mind.    

[30coupe]

I did a quick search. So far I haven't found anyone online who is selling Mercury yet to compare cost, but I did find out that there are about 13,000 feet per pound compared to 6700 feet per pound of D97, so not much difference in the number of strings one could get out of a pound it would seem. It would also appear to confirm what Chad said about it being half the diameter of D97, perhaps even a bit less.

[LBR]

Breaking strength is around 75#, if I remember correctly.

So far I've only made Flemish with it, but don't see any problems using it for endless as well.

Price should be comparable to 8190.

It's sold by weight, not length, so you should get around the same number of strings per spool as Dynaflight '97.

Power Grip serving comes as large as .032.  I don't like padding out serving either...I just use more strands in the string.

Right now the 24 strand string I made last night settled in about 1/4" strung up on a bow (didn't put it on the stretcher yet).  Comparable to BCY-X as far as stability goes.  I'll serve and shoot it soon, and see where that takes me.

Chad

[LBR]

Put it on the stretcher, got another 1/4", so it's more in line with 8190 than BCY-X.  Not so much the material stretching, just getting the air and wax out of the twist.

[nineworlds9]

Very cool news Chad.  I'm always excited about string enhancement/innovations.

[J. Oles]

Any more information on the new string material?

[LBR]

It's being well received.  Available in all the solid colors, it's the highest grade 100% HMPE material on the market.  I still prefer BCY-X myself, but for a 100% Dynmeema material you can't beat Mercury for lack of stretch, lack of creep, or durability.

[Hatrick]

Thanks for the great information, Chad. Are you going to be at ETAR this year selling string materials?

[Hermon]

Chad, what size serving would you recommend for 24 strands and either an X nock or a Bohning Classic nock?
Thanks

[LBR]

For an X nock, I'm thinking 20 strands and .014.  For a Bohnning Classic, 24 strands and .024.

As it stands, BCY will be at Denton Hill selling material.

[Hermon]

Thanks

[BWD]

Was good talking with you at the Tennessee Classic, Chad. But, since I don't care much for small diameter string material, I'll keep what I've got.

[LBR]

Most if not all the newer string materials are likely going to be smaller diameter.  Innovations are geared towards the "other side", which makes up the huge majority of the market.  They have learned that smaller strands are more flexible, which gives them a tiny bit more speed.

It's just a matter of more strands.  It's a little more work, but winds up making a nicer looking string.