recurve Fastflite or Dacron and brace height

[eggomaniac]

With an older recurve, that cannot handle Fastflite, will padding the loops solve the problem? Even with the padding, will the tension of the fastflite still result in cutting into the limb tips and delamination?
IF padding does indeed protect the bow, are there different ways to pad the loops?
I am thinking that weaving strands of Dacron into the loops might be one way; and wondering if a coating of serving string might be another.
*ALSO, if anybody knows the factory recommended brace height for a Browning Explorer II 62" 50# that would be appreciated. (So far my internet search says most recurves should have a string about 4 inches less than the bow length and brace heights between 7 1/2 to 9 inches.)

[acadian archer]

Why not just use Dacron instead of fast flight? I don't see not being able to use Fastflight a problem. Gte it shooting "right" and i won't matter what kind of sting you use.

Good luck in your search.

[Burnsie]

Fastflite cutting into the tips is definitely an issue, dont know if padding the loops will totaly solve the problem. But I am pretty sure another factor is that the older bows simply cannot withstand the abrupt stop of the limbs because of the no-stretch characteristics of fastflite. Dacron will stretch and offer more of a dampening effect.
Bunrsie

[eggomaniac]

acadian, a few reasons i wanted FF. longer lasting more durable, not stretching as much over time, more variance on the amount of twists to tune brace height more forgiving (as i don't know the starting brace height,a ff can be twisted more if having to go higher), slightly faster arrows.
Burnside has confirmed what I was just told by a string maker. The sudden stop won't be good.

[30coupe]

Fast flight will probably last longer, but once B50 settles in, there is really very little stretch. Actualy creep, which is the string lengthening, is probably what you mean. The Dacron string will stretch a bit and recover after each shot. This is not a huge problem. Creep is what causes you to lose brace height over time. This usually stops after shooting in. Unless your string length is way off to begin with, twisting B50 to adjust brace height should not be a problem.

As far as faster arrows, I doubt you would be able to tell the difference without a chronograph. The only difference I have noticed is that fast flight type strings will shoot a heavier arrow without losing as much speed as a B50 string. If you are at 10 grains per pound of bow weight or less, the difference in speed is pretty negligible. Certainly not enough to warrant the risk to your bow.

Your bow was designed to shoot dacron. That's what I'd use. Don't risk ruining a fine old bow for the minimal advantages you might see with fast flight string.

[Bjorn]

If I really love an older bow, and I have lots of them, then I use a well made dacron string with 10-12 strands and a couple of extra strands in the loops. If I don't really care then I use a modern non stretch string, well made with padded loops. There is no real evidence that modern non stretch strings cause failures on old bows; but there are a lot of opinions and stories.
IMO it really comes down to would you be heart broken if it broke......if so, err on the side of caution.

[Quill Flinger]

Nope is the simple answer. Limbs & sometimes even risers have to be designed to handle the no-stretch string materials.

Using such no-stretch strings in place of dacron on non-FF bows can possibly shear the limb tips right off. According to several bowyers I've talked to.

[JRY309]

For my older recurves I like to make them an endless loop dacron.It's just safer to do,you are less likely to cause damage if you happen to have a dry fire.

[eggomaniac]

I went with Dacron, thanks for the info