String length and bows

[Safari Scott]

Hi all,

Most bow shops seem to think that about 4 inches under the AMO of your bow is the righ amount, but when I've recieved strings from bowyers, or got one made they seem to think 2.5 to 3 inches under is about right.

I guess that leads me to my question. I have a nice 58 string that I got with my Stalker, but I got the guys from lefties r us to make me a better one. I was wondering then, if I could put the 58 on my old Samic sage just to do something with it - but that would be right on the 4 under since it's a 62'' bow. Might even be a fraction under 58, so would that be a problem and put them under too much strain? The extra length is in the riser, not the limbs if that makes a difference?  

Scott

[A.S.]

Scott, first off-thanks again for the string order.

Second, as long as the brace height is close to what Samic recommends, you will be fine. Most strings will creep in a bit after being shot for a while.

[Safari Scott]

Oh yeah, good point. Well that solves that one pretty easy, thanks!

[McDave]

The recommended brace height for a Samic Sage is 7 1/2 - 8 1/4".  This is a way broader range than any other bow I've ever seen; my experience is that you would like to get your brace height within at least a 1/4" range, if not a 1/8" range, to get optimal performance out of the bow.

The usual advice I've been given is to start at the lower end of the range and shorten the string as necessary to get rid of noise and vibration and possibly erratic arrow flight. You start at the lower end of the range because you lose some performance as you increase the brace height, so you don't want the brace height to be any higher than it has to be.  So if using your old string puts the Samick at or above the maximum brace height, it might not be a good idea to use it.

I've always found fine-tuning brace height within small ranges to be difficult, because the effects of a few twists of the string are not evident to me. So I'm always happy when the bowyer makes a fairly definite suggestion and I just stick with it.

[Safari Scott]

I just tried it out before, came to about 8 1/8, a little on the upper edge but that's okay - considering I probably use it once a fortnight or something to practice form with a lightweight. (I shoot 55ish and the sage is about 40)

The string that came with the sage is absolute junk and with a new one on it's actually not a bad little bow. Not quite a Stalker but not too bad, haha.