String material

[Steel]

I have been shooting 8,10,12 strand strings with padded loops on my around 50lb bows last few months. I have 450+, and 8125 thin strings and have a D-97 thin string on order. I was wondering which brand/type String material may be best for making these thin strings? Is one better than another FPS wise,quietest,Strength and so on? are they all about the same any thoughts?

[Hardhed]

I'd like to hear any feedback as well-

[buckster]

Me too, and I raise you one Steel...  

Can anyone offer advise on making your own 8-12 strand FF string with padded loops??

BTW Steel, I'm already getting antsy about our hog hunt in Sept with Matt Napper!! ; 0

[CJC]

i dont know if there is a "best" string material.  it seems that we all get to have a preference after a while as to what we like the best, and for what reasons.  from a stand point of strength 450+ is the strongest, then d-97, then 8125, and of course good ole' b-500.  imho 8125 is the fastest because of it small diameter.  as far as quiet, i think that the difference is minute between d-97and 8125, and that 450+ is a smidge louder.  a well constructed skinny string is almost always quieter than a fatty.  i have made strings for many here on the "gang" and i can tell you that 95% of the strings i make are d-97and 8125.  imo those are the best materials out there. i have only talked about bcy string material because it is all i use.  i think it is better than the brownell material.  for those in need of strings i have an add in the sponsors classifieds.  hope this helps.

[WildmanSC]

TS+

[Running Buck]

Another vote for 8125,I think it settles in faster.

[frank bullitt]

Louder, faster, quieter, quicker, can you hit what your aiming at? Are you enjoying  the experience? I remember shooting 16 strand b-50 strings on a 50lb. recurve. Heck, I had a blast! Now when I build one, it feels like a rope! Steel, there all good. It's like bows and your mate, each to their own. Good Shootin to you and have fun!

[wtpops]

I just recived some Brownell Ultra Cam It is stronger than D97 and a little bit thiner and dose not creep any where near as much as the D97 does. An 8 strand Ultra Cam is just a bit thicker than a 6 strand D97 and stronger than an 8 strand D97 and again hardly any creep. I have had an 8 strand on for about 2 weeks now and im likeing it.

[str8sh2ter]

Are you guys talking flemish or endless loop strings here? how skinny could you go with dacron b50? for a 45-50# LB.

[frank bullitt]

Str8. I would go with 12 strands of b-50. Good shootin!

[Overspined]

buckster, just add dacron (that is what I use because it bulks fast) to the tips of the bundles you plan to flemish. Wax them in. I just add 2 dacron lengths of about 8-9 inches to the end of each bundle (I use 3 bundle), so 5-6 total lengths of dacron to each flemish loop. Then they taper off and you can trim with scissors any strands sticking out when done. do a search or go to to the how to, or google etc, and you will find directions as to how to make and measure your own jig. It takes only minutes to make a jig, and then about an hour or so to make your first 2 bundle string. You will then get better each time you make one. After a few, they look and work like a pro. 1/4# spool or two of FF is lasting me FOREVER for personal use. You can make probably 100+ strings

[Overspined]

BTW, I went back to the skinny strings after switching back to the normal because they do noticeably quiet a bow, and the materials will last even longer. Be careful not to go too skinny, I have settled on 11 strand FF for my 54# and under bows, and then just double serve. Fits my nocks perfectly.

[Randy Koleno]

One other question for you stringmakers. How low of a strand count can you go with D-97 before you have to pad. 14, 12, 10 strands? Any rule there?

[LBR]

Except on really light draw weights (less than 40#), I like to keep the loops built up to at least 16 strands when using Formula 8125 or Dynaflight '97.  I couldn't say that it's a requirement, but it doesn't hurt, and usually helps quieten the string--especially on a recurve.

Chad

[Overspined]

BTW: my padded loops are for longbows. I don't know how long to make the extra dacron strands for curves. probably would require extra length.

[Soilarch]

Keep the material traits coming but here is question for you stringbuilders as well.

The original question was about the material itself, but since a lot of the conversation here is referring to flemish twist strings AND low count/skinny strings...

...is there a limit or a point you have to worry about there being enough strands for the "weave" to hold?  What I mean is do you have to go to an endless loop at some point because the flemish twist just won't hold together?

[DesertDude]

I have made strings with 6str, 9str, 12str with D97 and 9str, 12str, 15str with  TS-1+. Redant 60/65 and I shot the all throught the chrono while in his living room. They were tested on both longbows and recurves. As far as speed goes it's subjective (getting the exact draw each  time) all strings were with-in a few fps of each other. The real difference was the sound. The 6str D97, 9str D97, and the 12str TS-1+ were whisper quite. No silancers were installed on the strings. While shooting indoors, in a close space you can really hear the difference. I like to make my strings in bundles of 3 as you can see.

These are our finding your results may be different. We had to much time on our hands and that thing that killed the cat.........