Strings/strings

[MnFn]

I’m getting ready to order a new string. I started wondering about low stretch vs Dacron.
I have shot fast flight for probably twenty years with good results but was wondering what the percentage is of hunters who use it.

I have two friends that never use anything but non-fast flight string. 

How about you?  If you care to explain why or why not, I’d like to see comments also.

[Terry Green]

If the bow is noisy with ff, I have no issue giving up 2-3fps with dacron. Most people can't shoot the difference.  All the bows I own are quiet with ff, but over the years there have been a couple that were tamed with dacron.

I doubt very seriously that quiet gets overruled by speed on some bows by some people.

I also never bought into the 'skinny string' fad.

[woodchucker]

I have 9 (I think) old Bear recurves, 2 new Bear T/Ds,
A Howard Hill "Mountain Man" longbow, and 2 custom R/D longbows

The old Bears, and my Hill longbow, have always had dacron strings.
My custom longbows and Bear T/Ds came with FF strings. I never liked the FF "skinny strings"
I switched my custom longbow strings to dacron years ago, and plan on doing the same with my Bear T/Ds soon.

Dacron is quieter, and I find (for me) a thicker string is more comfortable for me to shoot.
As for speed?? I could never really tell the difference....

I've actually been thinking of going back to endless loop dacron strings?
They were all we had when I was a kid! 

[katman]

Both work fine, home made string with bcy-x for me, bows are quiet and strings settle in and stay there in our summer heat. I use flemish for aesthetics.

[beemann]

Would love to hear thoughts on what makes a good string.  Been making my own for years and honestly don't know if they are good or bad.  Love the modern stuff but but have not tried it on vintage bows yet...   

[MnFn]

I’m with you Bryan.  I don’t know either, they have all worked for me.  I started out with endless loop in the mid 1960’s.  They worked, although I got smacked across the face when my Dad’s 56# string broke. That was probably due to a worn out string. I’ve not had a problem with them on my own bows.

In the last twenty years or so, I have used Flemish twist strings, without any problems.

I have also used some skinny strings, but have to say they did not feel as comfortable as some other strings. But they worked too.

I have recently bought three different types of strings just to experiment with on a new bow.

[elkken]

I like the newer materials because of no  or minimal stretch, set it and forget it ! I have rarely had a noise problem and padded loops work fine on my older bows.

[Skates 2]

I've had about 30 or so 'modern' strings of different materials over the last 15 years and none of them were "set it and forget it". I'd like to know what magical mystical material that is. I don't believe that exists.

[Gordon Jabben]

I'm just the opposite of you.  I have never used anything but dacron and sometimes wonder if a few feet per second will help me beat the friends I shoot with.   I have tried the low stretch materials a few times but they made my bow noisy.

[Terry Green]

I've always had to twist up my ff strings after 3 or 4 weeks. I'd be interested as well about the *set it and forget it* material.  That could come in handy during a week long hunt if a string was cut.

[elkken]

I should have been a bit more explanatory  .... all strings need some break in / stretching but my experience after that has been minimal to no stretch with the strings I have gotten from Ten Ring Strings. I have only three bows now, all have Ten Ring Strings. Two recurves and one longbow. I have not had to reset my brace height on any of them for several years. I do keep them strung while hunting, so if I'm hunting for antelope for a week they are strung the entire time. When not hunting they are unstrung. My extra strings I take on hunting trips are all pre broken in but I do keep a bow square on hand to double check them.I don't shoot near as much as I used to but all my bows get shot occasionally, so set it and forget it may have been a poor choice of a phrase for some but after the break-in period I rarely have to reset my brace height.

[Skates 2]

So now it's not the material but the mystical magical string maker.. This is getting deep.

[Terry Green]

Ken sounds a lot like my dacron experiences.... just more stretch on the front end... not so much after  'break in'.  I'm a freak for quiet bows and many don't know what a quiet bow it but they will tell you theirs is quiet...I've been in camp with people that make such claims and their bows are not quiet.. "Selfow Quiet" is my standard. Too bad many today have no clue what that even means,  but all my bows are selfbow quiet..... no matter the string material... I just make them so, and proper placement of the original Bow Hush helps immensely.

[katman]

I agree with Elken. I twist my own and have similar results. About 1/8 to1/4" initial settling, Don't know where skates is coming from. Making a string is not rocket science if I can do it.

[Terry Green]

All strings stretch... there.  That is a fact, arguing over it or calling people out is futile,  all strings stretch. There is no such thing as 'set it and forget it'.... so get over it. To claim otherwise is a disservice to the Trad Bowhuning community. You are inviting people to mane animals.  Sorry, I don't play political BS.

[Bamboozle]

All strings stretch... there.  That is a fact, arguing over it or calling people out is futile,  all strings stretch. There is no such thing as 'set it and forget it'.... so get over it. To claim otherwise is a disservice to the Trad Bowhuning community. You are inviting people to mane animals.  Sorry, I don't play political BS.

Wow, way to take a stance!!!!

[Mike Malvaini]

I have to agree that the is no such thing as set it and forget it.  That is totally ridiculous.  Every string I have had needed twisting after a couple of weeks, dacron a little longer yes.  However, you new comers need to know that if you get a new bow with a new string, or a new string, that you will NEED TO CHECK brace height no matter what the material is. This will keep your arrow flight good and your bow quiet.  To set it an forget it is asking for a disaster. Can't even believe I'm hearing such nonsense.

[beemann]

Relax fellas.  Elken posted to clarify his comments.  Maybe go back and reread....

[LookMomNoSights]

Yes,  what all strings do..... stretch.  Obviously,  some material more or even WAY more than others,  but still..... you ain’t avoiding it moving on you.  I’ve shot a lot of B50,  Dacron,  FF and the newer “skinny” strings, just to see.  Speed difference, it’s been said already...... negligible at best.  Quiet absolutely takes precedence,  as Terry hinted to.  Some people make strings,  and some can REALLY make a string!  Meaning,  for twisted anyways,  you might compare that string to another and it might be way obvious to you,  that one is made nicer than the other.  Better, tighter, more uniform twisting,  better blending at the padding,  killer serving job..... that sort of stuff.  Maybe even though that string is made with the same material as string number 2,  it might perform and hold up better,  stretch a bit less and even sound better.  I say if you want to try a different string,  go with recommendations and enjoy your experimenting.  After several years of skinny strings I recently went back to normal as has also been stated here,  that lil bit thicker string just feels good.  Feels better,  to me.  And if it feels good,  it is good.  There’s always a lot to be said for the “if it ain’t broke....” mentality 

[M60gunner]

Wow, guess I an’it that fussy about checking brace height. But then agian I may switch the same string to a couple different bows at which time I do check. I only use B-55 on my old bows. I had a bad experience with D-97 on my Bear TD so it’s not ever a choice. I have Chad at Champion Bowstrings make BCY X or what has replaced it. He makes me endless loop strings which after a little “break in” require just waxing.