How many strands for d-97?

[cunruhshoot]

I was at a trad shoot recently and ran into a gentleman shooting a longbow I believe 50 or 55 lbs. and was using 6 strands of d-97.  When I was using b-50 I always used 16 strands for my bows regardless of draw weight. So when I switched to d-97 I carried on the 16 strand tradition. After some further research I twisted up a 10 strand d-97 last night with some added strands of b-50 padding the loops. I had to double serve the area where the arrow nocks on the string but i have to say I like the feel of the 10 strand string and it seems to be a little quicker.

How many strands do you use in your flemish twist? Do you think that 6 strands is too few?

[Eric Krewson]

I use 12 strands and serve with .025 serving, a perfect fit for my nocks.

[cunruhshoot]

Eric - do you feel that 10 is to few strands? I would rather be safe than at risk in any way. But if I can get a few more strings out of a couple spools of string that is a value to me as well.

[PEARL DRUMS]

I use 8 or 10 max up to a 65# bow.I have a few 6 strand on my 45-50# bows. I dont pad the loops on the 10 strands, I do on anything smaller.

[LittleBen]

I do like the smaller strings. I think they are quiter in many cases. But padding the loops is a pain, and so is padding the serving.

I'm considering next time making a 14strand 8125 (my usual), serving it, and then carefully cutting 3 strands out of each bundle, leaving 8 strands and padded loops and serving area.

[Art B]

Hey Pearly, I tested my mixed D-97/B-55 string against and all D-97 string and it's wasn't even a contest. My mixed string was much quieter without that harsh feeling. But I think I still like the original FF vs the D-97..........Art

[cunruhshoot]

Perfect - this is such an awesome resource to have the opportunity to talk through this stuff and get such good insight and experience from others. Thanks for taking the time to share....

[Echatham]

yeah.... since i got some d-97 on order now... please continue    

[Echatham]

little ben how are you going to make sure you cut the same strand on each side of the serving? better mark it before hand.... but good idea.

[Eric Krewson]

I have seen them as small as 6 strands. You are supposed have 6 times bow poundage in the breaking strength of your string. DF-97 has a breaking strength 125# per strand if I remember correctly.

To answer the question 10 strands is plenty.

[fujimo]

little ben,
if you made your 'main bundle', and your 'to trim bundle' two different colours, then it would be a tad easier to cut out the extra strings, in order to pad the served areas.

[Dan Bonner]

I have been building 3 bundle 9 strand d97s lately and like it fine. I have built a couple 2 bundle 8  strands but I have a hard time getting the bundles to blend into a round string. The 3-9s makes a quick, quiet perfectly round string. I pad the loops with 9 extra strands usually.

Bonner

[Eric Krewson]

Dan, after you make your first loop, hook the loop over something and take every bit of twist out of each bundle separately where you end up with a flat bundle, no twist. After you finish your second loop you will have a lot of twist at one end of your bundle and none at the other end. Remove the twist from your bundles again, when you twist the bundles together for your finished string you will have a perfectly round string. It is the twist in the individual bundles that makes your string not blend into a round string.

[LittleBen]

Good plan Wayne, I think I'll do that. I has a different and much more tedious approach planned which I won't even mention after that highly rational and sane approach you presented!