When you buy a bowstring (General Interest)

[barley40]

Many trad archers make their own strings. Thats good. Many more order strings from a stringmaker since going down to the local archery shop is like going to the goat house for wool anymore as far as trad needs are concerned. Theres some things to keep in mind when ordering strings that will make life easier for all concerned. If you have a bow thats commercially made it should have the AMO length, weight, draw printed on it some place. Thats what the stringmaker needs. Even better, measure your old string (if it's right)tight, from end to end including loops. Just be sure to say if it's the AMO or actual string measurement. If you have to measure the bow, measure unstrung from nock to nock (not tip to tip)from the shooter side and follow the curve if it's a recurve. Tell the stringmaker if it's a longbow or recurve. State the weight of bow or the number of strands you need and the size of loops. Also give the color combinations if it matters. If it doesn't matter, say so. If you are particular about brace height take into account that dacron will stretch some, fast flight very little if any. It's generally understood that recurve string are 4" shorter than the bow and longbow strings 3" shorter. A stringmaker must have ALL this info to make your string. If you don't give the right info most stringmakers will take the string back and remake to keep you happy but but thats just not right since in most cases he won't be able to resell the string and the extra work and mailing is no fun. The trad stringmakers provide a needed service and many do an excellent job when given the accurate and clear information at the time of order.

[Night Wing]

I wanted to try out one of string makers here on TG. With that said, I bought a new bowstring from Chad Weaver (LBR) of Champion Custom Bowstrings for my 66", 37# recurve. Chad is a sponsor here on TG.

The link to his order form is below. It is a very detailed order form and some of the information on it, I didn't know so I called Chad up and he told me what I needed to complete the order form.

 http://www.recurves.com/bowstrings.html

The bowstring I ordered was a 62", 2 bundle flemish style 12 strand Dyna97 bowstring with the flemish loops padded to 18. I chose for the serving material 62XS with a .025 serving size. This is perfect for the Easton Super Nocks I use on my 2212 arrows. Chad pre-stretches the bowstring also.

I'm very pleased with his bowstring. One half twist on the bowstring, up or down, changes the brace height by 1/32" on my 37# bow. This makes fine tuning the brace height very easy.

[JRY309]

I find that general rule of 4" shorter for a recurves does not always apply.My 62" Martin Hunter recurve takes a 59" string,I made a string for my buddys BW recurve 62" and it took a 59" string also.I prefer to measure the old string or measure the actual nock to nock measurement not what is marked on the bow,when I make strings for myself or friends.I mean I have had three 64" bows and all were alittle different in length from a 1/2" to 3/4" ntn.

[Night Wing]

For my two 66" recurves, I called the bowyer and he told me they take a 62" string. Calling a bowyer first before ordering a bowstring, if you don't how long of a string to order, is the best way to go in my opinion.

[barley40]

It's always better to measure the string that works best and order from that!! The 3"- 4" is just a starting point if you don't have a string and don't know. I think it works in most cases. The most often error happens when some one is not clear about "bow length" or "actual string length". Even if they say AMO you know what AMO means but don't assume everyone does.