String help please

[SouthMDShooter]

ok dumb question here, actually a couple. Which strings do you use for your recurve and why? also when i do order one should i order it short because of strech? any input appreciated...Curtis

[zilla]

I use a flemish twist.  Home made.  the latest is out of TS1.  I make em approx 4" shorter than my bow length.  Keep in mind that if you are buying then the AMO length is for the length of the bow, and is made to properly fit the bow.  The string will be shorter than the AMO length.. The AMO length means the string is suposed to fit a bow of the same AMO length.. Clear as mud e'h?

[30coupe]

I make my own from B50 dacron. I use Flemish twist. The will stretch for a while and need to be twisted up a bit. For recurves I start about 4 inches under the AMO length of the bow. For longbows 3 inches is a good starting point.

I like the Flemish twist strings because they are easy to make and to twist/untwist to adjust brace height. I use B50 because it is easier on the bow, cheaper, and quieter (IMO) than the fast flight type strings. The speed gain with fast flight string (4-5 fps) just isn't enough to entice me to change.

[Danny Rowan]

Curtis, no do not order it short. the string maker will need the AMO length of the bow and the actual string length. I like flemish twist strings, some people like endless strings,matter of personal preference.

With a B50 or any string material for that matter,when I put a new string on the bow, i twist the string up a few turns and brace the bow and leave it strung for a bit. Keep checking brace heighth and as it streaches just unstring and put a few more twists in and restring and let it set do this until no more streach and it stays at brace, then go shoot for a while and check the brace when done if it streached, twist the string up a few turns to get proper brace. After I do this I very seldom have to twist the string anymore as most all of the streach is out of it.

Danny

[LBR]

Although I seldom shoot a recurve (prefer longbows), my favorite string material is Dynaflight '97 (for bows made to accept low stretch materials).  I don't care about a few extra fps.  I like the durability, lowered hand shock, reduced stretch/creep, and don't have any problems getting it quiet.  I've never had a dacron string on my favorite longbow, and after about 10 years of being my "go-to" bow for hunting, tournaments, practice, and play, it shows no wear from the string.

Ask whoever you order from about whether or not to order it short.  If you go with dacron, it's going to stretch--a bunch if the string maker doesn't pre-stretch it for you.  I don't take orders on AMO bow measurements if I can help it--might or might not be correct, as a lot of bows don't go by AMO (AMO is 3" shorter, longbow or recurve).

Chad

[SouthMDShooter]

thanks for the help everyone but i was just going t order a couple strings from 3rivers so i have a back up for my hunting trip next week. I was thinking of ordering    this one . and it says to order for the legenth of the string not the AMO, and my legenth is 48 inches so thats what i should put correct? sorry for the dumb question    Thankyou

[SlowBowinMO]

Subtract 4 inches from your AMO length to get the actual length you need.  So a 48" string would be right if your recurve is 52" AMO...and can take FF strings.

The link you posted is a Dacron string, safe for all bows.

[Danny Rowan]

Yes, Curtis the Kmag is 52" and takes a 48" B50 string. Of course you know to use B50 only on that bow. Good luck on your hunt next week.

Danny

[Shawn Leonard]

Everyone always says it is 3" shorter for AMO and I say that is bull, I know what AMO standards say but a lot of bows like the Bears were made prior to those postings. i have a bunch of old string tubes from the late 50s and into the late 60's and they say 52"AMO and ya take the string out an dmeasure and they are 48"s and the longbow ones say 66" amo and ya take them out and they are 3"s shorter and these are string direct form Bear and Pearson, so go figure. What ya need to do is measure actual string length and have it made to that and adjust brace by twisting it up or down. A lot of Bows like the Shrews for exampl are marked 58"s and 60"s, the 4 shrews I owned were actually quite a bit longer than marked if ya went by amo. My 58"er took a 56.5" string for example. Shawn

[LBR]

Shawn, it isn't "bull"--that's what AMO specs actually state.  Saying that everyone can go strictly by AMO specs IS bull, but that's the only certified standard we have.  

If you go strictly by AMO specs, the bow length is actually supposed to be 3" longer than the string length, not the other way around, and that string is to be measured under a certain amount of tension.

Here's the link for anyone that cares to look it up.  If the link doesn't work, just Google "AMO Standards".

 http://archerysearch.com/publications/AmoStandards.pdf

That's why I ALWAYS ask for the actual string length.  I've seen longbow strings vary from 1.5" to 4" shorter than the bow length, and recurve strings vary from 2.5" to 6" shorter.

Like a lot of things in this sport, strings don't always follow the rules.  Doesn't matter if you are going by the "official" AMO rules, or the old "3 inches shorter for longbows, 4" shorter for recurves" rule.

Chad