I have some conflicting answers.

[VA Elite]

I have done some research on string thickness. Some folks said 8 strand FF are put on to be more quiet, while others say 18 strands FF would be more quiet. Anyone ever test it or just know from experience?

[Steve O]

VA--every bow/arrow/nock/serving and glove/tab/release will give you a different answer. Got to try it on your setup IMO

[bigbadjon]

All string noise is left over energy from the arrow. You can make a string quieter by adding weight to the arrow or weight to the string. The string diameter has nothing to do with it, the arrow weight determines the noise.

[DanielB89]

A few GENERAL rules.  

1. the skinnier the string, the less vibration it will create.
2. the skinnier the string, the less weight, therefore it will be a LITTLE faster.

Chad (LBR) makes some great points about speed and noise.  The difference between executing a "perfect release" and a "sloppy release" can get you up to 10 FPS difference.  

And he knows just a little bit about strings..

(that was paraphrased)

[LBR]

Everyone has opinions.

First, define "FF".  It's usually used as a generic term these days to describe any of the HMPE or HMPE blend materials. 18 strands of some would be huge, 8 strands of others would be dangerously tiny.

I personally quit counting how many strings I've made at 10,000 several years ago.  I've been making strings for about 20 years, and for many of those years I made 1,000 or more a year.  What does that mean?  Nothing on the front side, other than I've made a lot of strings.

Anyhow, in my experience, a moderate strand count is the way to go.  What is "moderate" depends on the material.  There are no magic bows, no magic arrows, no magic broadheads, and no magic strings.

Tuning is a must for a quiet shot.  Brace height, silencer placement, nock fit, etc.  Your release can make a big difference--the better, the quieter.  Heavier arrows are quieter.

Some bows seem to "like" one string better than another, but in my experience that's an exception, not the norm.

In general, HMPE/Vectran blends (BCY-X, 452X, 450+, etc.) seem to be quieter than 100% HMPE materials (Dynaflight '97, 8125G, 8190, etc.) but you can get a bow very quiet with these with proper tuning (at least I have).

Of course the only way to find out for sure is to tinker with different strings, but IMO you'll get much further with tuning.

Keep in mind there are lots of variables to consider--not just string material or strand count.

Chad

[VA Elite]

so it's really not an exact science like a lot of other things in this field. What I am learning from this and my own short term experience is that bow are just like people, they are all different for sure. I hope nobody gets agitated with some these questions, Im just trying to learn and what Im finding out is the best way to learn is bt trial and error. Thanks guys

[LBR]

...bow are just like people, they are all different for sure.

In ways, yes, but there are basic fundamentals that don't change.  The biggest difference in how a bow shoots is the person behind the string, and how much they have devoted to tuning and practice.

A really good archer can take a Samick Sage or Journey and put a spanking on someone who hasn't taken the time to tune or practice, even if that person is shooting the latest, greatest, most expensive bow on the market.

[VA Elite]

Practice is certainly important to me. Im currently working on getting a blind bale set up at the house, right now all I have is a 3 d deer target. Probably not the best thing to "blind bale" on!

[damascusdave]

Landon just about any topic on here can irritate someone sometimes...the longer you hang around here the more you will learn about who tends toward the extremes and who tends toward more moderate views...then there are those like me who cycle between extreme and moderate depending on my mood of the month...sounds a bit like life eh

DDave

[damascusdave]

The internet age has led us to sometimes think that there is a magic way to determine outcomes (aka research) without experiencing for ourselves...I have shot bows with 6 strands strings and I have shot bows with 24 strand strings and pretty much everything in between...in the end my preference is for a string that propels an arrow...I am not a big fan of B50 as a string material but I recently put it on a couple of bows to let me use the arrows I want to shoot

DDave

[VA Elite]

Dave, very true about the internet. I just an article on FF skinny strings being the cause of short bow life. One man said in one year he saw 7 bows blow and all but one were using skinny strings. My understanding is a bow now is either made for that type of string or isn't right? So I would think it could be too light of an arrow that caused those issues. Just a guess though.

[ChuckC]

Landon, in its own way it is a very exact science.  It works EXACTLY the way YOUR bow set up needs, and my bow likely will be different.

CHuckC

[LBR]

I just an article on FF skinny strings being the cause of short bow life. One man said in one year he saw 7 bows blow and all but one were using skinny strings. My understanding is a bow now is either made for that type of string or isn't right? So I would think it could be too light of an arrow that caused those issues. Just a guess though.

That's called "coincidence", unless the strings were so low in strand count that they were breaking on release (doesn't sound like it).

Funny thing about that...if a bow breaks and it has a HMPE string on it, the string gets the blame.  If it breaks with a polyester (Dacron) string on it, then something else was the culprit.

I personally have broken several bows (selfbows), and know of several more (selfbows and laminated), and each and every one of them had a polyester string with the exception of one that was brand new and broke the first time it was pulled to full draw (never had one arrow fired from it).

You are correct--a bow is either made for HMPE strings, or it's not.  I won't use one on a bow that isn't made for it.  I currently have 3 selfbows with reinforced tips that shoot great with HMPE strings. My oldest longbow, that I've had for over 15 years (closer to 20, I think), has NEVER had a polyester string on it and I've shot countless arrows through it.  It's been refinished twice and needs it again, if that gives any indication of how much use and abuse it's had.

Anyhow...bottom line is there are lots of fables out there about strings.  Some are from an honest perspective, just not exactly accurate.

[VA Elite]

So does most damage occur to the tips when it comes to strings in general?

[LBR]

"So does most damage occur to the tips when it comes to strings in general?"

From what I've seen, yes.  Actually the only two bows I've seen that were definitely damaged by the string were old Bear bows that each had a tip literally sawn off by the thin, non-padded loop Fast Flight (the original stuff) string.

I'm no bowyer, but as I understand it the two things you have to do to make a bow "FF Compatible" is reinforce the tips, and cut the grooves at the proper angle.  My selfbows have tips reinforced with bone, antler, and hardwood.

[VA Elite]

I gotcha, I have Allen from Ten Ring Strings making me a string and he's going to bring to the 3 d shoot on Feb 28th. A fellow VA guy, looking forward to meeting him. I know he pads the loops and does some pretty cool things with silencing.Thanks for the education on strings!

[nineworlds9]

I don't like less than 8 or more than 14 on the materials I commonly use.  YMMV depending on material.  And I reserve B50 for the burn pile or if needed in a survival situation LOL.