Number of strands for Shrew ?

[Brian P.]

I recently aquired a Super Shrew LB and want to replace the string. I have Dynaflight 97, TS1 Plus, and Fast Flight Plus I can use to make it with. I have heard the Shrews like thin strings with padded loops. I usually make 15 strand D-97 for all my other bows, but fear it might be too thick. Bow is 59# @ 28".

So, how many strands of each would you recommend? How many strands would you use in the loops, and what serving size do you think would work best with Classic nocks?

 Lots of questions, but this is my first Shrew and cant afford to be making a bunch of strings to experiment with,  without some guesstimates first. String material is getting expesive!

 Thanks,
 Brian

[leatherneck]

Best bet would be to contact Ron. He will be happy to answer any of your questions.

[Brian P.]

Ron sends strings of 6 or 8 strands of 450 Plus. I, personally, do not care for 450 so I am looking at other options.

 I am sure others have used alternate string materials on their Shrew bows and I would like their input.

Brian

[Orion]

Don't know if the Shrew likes thin strings, but Ron apparently does.  Don't think it makes much difference to most bows how many strand strings they wear, within reason, of course.  A 12 or 14 strand string would work well.  Could pad each end with two to four extra strands of dacron or the D-97 or TS-1.  The amount of performance lost going to a higher number of strands is negligible, so small its only measurable by machine.  This applies to fast-flite strings, of course.  Going too low with dacron, which has more stretch, can reduce performance to a noticeable level.

[leatherneck]

You could also contact Chad at I think recurve.com. He makes alot of strings and could also answer your question.

[JRY309]

I use 12 strands with .024 halo of D97 on my bows from 50# to 83#.12 strands of D97 is strong enough for upto a 100# bow.I could 10 strands on my lighter bows but I make them all the same for nock fit and I add 2-3 strands to pad the loop ends.

[kohannahfound1]

Four strings on E-bay for a 58" Shrew #280194171129 and #280194173354

[Tim Fishell]

The stings Ron puts on Shrews are 6 strands of 450+ with padded loops.

[Razorbak]

TS1 use 13 strands, 12 strands DF97, 13 strand 8125, 8 strand 450+ with 0.22 or 0.24 serving wrapped tight..these are what I use on my shrew and I dont pad the loops but if I did again I used 2 xtra b-50 strands 10 and 11 " per bundle..I use small rubber whiska puff in the 4th location and the bow is whispa quiet

[NoCams]

I broke 2 450+ or 452 strings last year on my Shrew and Griffin bows. Personally, I do not like the 400 series material for that reason. I have had good luck with 8125, but again JMHO. Chad Weaver at recurves.com just made me some new 8125's for the both of them and they are shooting well. I think they are 14 strand with 18 in the loops. Chad has super service and makes a great string. Had the pleasure of seeing him at several 3 D shoots over the past few summers, great guy !

nocams

[Brian P.]

Thanks guys, that is the information I was looking for.

 I made a 15 strand DF97 that seems nice and quiet. Got Hush Puppies 9" down from the loops. I also made a  12 strand TS1, but felt it was a bit louder. Could be that I had to double serve to get the nock fit, but it ended up a bit too tight. Got some .030 serving on order that may solve that problem.

 I will try a 12 strand DF97 and see how it acts. Dont have any 8125 to play with. Would have to order a premade string for that. Why buy when I can make it myself lol.

BP

[JRY309]

8125 is basically a smaller diameter version of D97.I can pick up D97 alot cheaper then 8125 so I didn't bother with 8125 for the cost.It cost around $45 for a 1/4# spool when I can get D97 for around $27.95 for a 1/4# spool.It's not worth the extra cost for me,maybe if I was trying to get max speed from a high performance recurve like a DAS.

[madness522]

The last two strings I made for my Shrew were 12 strands of D97 and padded the loops to 18 strands.  It is very quite with the Mink strips wrapped around both ends.  The serving was Halo and I think .021 and it works well on the classic nocks.

[TSP]

Shrews definately like thinner strings for best feel and performance.  For my 52# SS I like either the stock 450+ string or a 10-strand D97 with 4 strands B-50 in the loops.

[Shawn Leonard]

I used the 8 strand that came with my shrew but it seemed noisy to me. I had a twelve strand D-97 made for it and really liked it. I shoot 10-12 strand strings of D-97 or B-50 off all my bows, even when I shot up to 70#s. Shawn

[Montyc]

I shot 16 strands of B-50 on my shrew.  Always have and it has shots fine.

[Java Man]

Art,

The loops need to be padded.

Gregg

[bentpole]

Golden Hawk [LeRoy] made a beauty for mine.Mine was noisey too. Quiet now very quiet.

[Lewis Brookshire III]

Greg or Ron, I have a 47# SS Gold coming to me and some new 8125 string material also. Do you guys know how many strands of 8125 would be comparable to your 6 strand 450's? And how many extra strans in the loops. Oh and do you guys pad your strings with extra 450 or do you use B-50?

[madness522]

Lewis, not sure about the 8125 question but I use extra strands of B50 when padding the loops.