is fast flight really needed ?

[valleysniper]

After my posted question of average shot distance for whitetails, I am wondering if Fast flight is really needed. Seems like most shots are 12-15 yds average. Is the xtra speed really needed ?

[Red Beastmaster]

No.

I use FF on some of my bows because they feel and shoot better with them. It has zero to do with speed. I couldn't care less about a few feet per second.

I let my bows decide what string they like.

[Warden609]

I don't feel the need for speed, but I do prefer how FF feels at the shot.

[SteveB]

Is extra free performance needed? Is a truck needed when a horse gets you there? :^)

[The Whittler]

For me it's how the bow feels/preforms with FF compared to Dacron. To each their own.

[ChuckC]

Needed.....no.   but....i like it and D97 for certain bows.

[valleysniper]

Ok, I guess my question comes down to this. I am going to order a new schafer silvertip. Only diamondwood riser is FF rated. So many exotics to make a custom from. So should I worry about 5-8 fps ? I can also get double carbon limbs. I draw 47# @ 30"  ....
Don't know if I'm overthinking it

[Warden609]

I love Silvertips and have owned many over the years. Currently I have three and definitely prefer the FF models. I think you should talk with Beth and Dave about what you want and go from there. They are great folks. It would be best to shoot a Dacron and FF Silvertip to see what you like the best, but that might not be possible. Have fun deciding, because you can't go wrong with a Silvertip.

[Pine]

Funnie thing , I prefer FF on my longbows but prefer B-55 on my recurves .
Is it necessary ?
No , just comes down to preference .
In Traditional archery , if you are to concerned about speed , you should just shoot with wheels .

[crazynate]

I do not see the need for FF in my recurves. Actually yo be honest I have a few custom recurves that shoot better with Dacron. So I shoot whatever the bow likes.

[LBR]

It's not about speed.  In equally well made strings, there's little difference in performance between dacron and any of the "FF" type materials.

The difference is:  durability, consistency, stability.

I agree the average shot on a whitetail is probably 12-15 yds.  Pretty sure my average is less than that.  That boils down to how many shots a year...one, two, ten?  

Now, what does it take to get that one, two, ten shots?  How many practice shots?  How long did you sit there (in the South it's still HOT when the whitetail season opens...dacron can stretch like crazy in the heat).  What kind of crap did you walk through to get to your spot?

If it were just about one, or two, or even ten shots a year and nothing else had to be taken into consideration, I don't think there would be much to think about.

However, when you are practicing thousands of shots throughout the year; when you may be sitting for hours and hours before you get that one shot;  when you may be wading through briars or climbing rocks or whatever to get to your spot...that's when the difference in durability, stability, and consistency...not to mention the huge difference in can make in how comfortable the shot it...makes a ton of difference.  

No slight towards anyone or any bow, but I personally won't even consider buying a new bow that's not warrantied for whatever string I want to put on it, anymore than I'd buy a bow that required me to shoot a particular type of arrow, or a particular type of broadhead, or a particular type of glove, etc.  But, that's just me.  

Again, performance differences are at the absolute bottom of my list of benefits when it comes to strings.  In a well made string, there's normally not enough difference to make a difference.  There are lots of other things that do add up to a big difference.

Any little advantage is still an advantage! I have had deer duck the arrow at 12-15yds, even with ff string.

It's all personal preference, and what each guy likes for whatever reason, is what he should use.

Bisch

[Orion]

5-8 fps translates into about 3-4# of bow weight all other things being equal. If I get that essentially for nothing but a different string, I'll take it.  A low stretch string also reduces limb vibration and hand shock on every bow I've ever put it on. For me, it's a no brainer.

All the talk about low stretch strings harming older bows relates to the material damaging the limbs, yet with Tips, it applies only to the riser. Rather confusing.

[David Mitchell]

No. Archers got along fine without it for centuries.

[Recurve7]

I don't think so. However, I'm old school and was always taught ff strings were hard on my bows.

[M60gunner]

I am curious as to why the bow maker has issues with FF strings on bows made with solid woods not dymondwood type materials.

[bucknut]

I like my FF tip. I understand your dilemma. Dyamondwood just doesn't catch your eye like those highly figured exotics. I wish they would just make a phenolic I beam sandwiched riser for strength as others do. I shoot FF for the simple reason I don't have to fool with the string any more after I get it tuned to my liking. The fact that it is generally quieter and a little faster makes it a win win. Just not as purdy!!

[LBR]

Again, no slight towards anyone...but I've been using BCY-X on a Samick Journey for going on 5 years.  I draw about 31", arrows are approximately 8 gpp.  I have a longbow I shot almost exclusively for 15 years or more, it never had a dacron string on it--most of the time Dynaflight '97, but also 8125 and 450+.  [email protected]", arrows approximately 9 gpp.  Used it so much it's been refinished twice, and is scuffed up again.  Hasn't lost a pound, still shoots like it did when it was new.

As far as I know there's never been any type of study of the effects of string material and bow longevity.

I know I've blown up a lot of bows over the years (mostly selfbows) and all but one had a dacron string on it the time.  The only one that had a HMPE string on it failed mid-limb...not at the riser, not at the tips (it was a self bow).

When he was competing, Rod Jenkins put more arrows through a bow in a year than most will in a lifetime.  Pretty sure he never had a bow failure that could be attributed to the string.

[forestdweller]

I agree with LBR. Fast flight is not necessary and you are giving up a few fps but you can get that fps back by dropping arrow weight very slightly.

Each string material has their own advantages but if you are shooting your bow naked (no string silencers) dacron is superior in my opinion.

Fast flight goes doingggg Dacron goes hummmm

[Hummer3T]

For me right now "yes"

For me it is about making the best shot with traditional gear I can (I owe it to the game I hunt).  I think speed, accuracy, quite, and knowing I'm going to be consistent (stretch and movement), all come from being confident, which FF helps me with.

That's at this point in my life, maybe in ten years I go to woodies and have the chance to shoot daily and everything changes.