D-97 with padded loops on a bear K-mag.

[ZaneD]

I know that you're not supposed to use fast flight on older bows like this, but I wanted to know if anybody has tried using padded FF type strings with the loops padded with dacron? I've got a 1962 Bear kodiak magnum and I would love to try a dynaflight string on it. Just because of the difference in hand shock it has made in other bows that I've tried. what if I made a 10 strand D-97 string with the loops padded to 14-18 strands with dacron?

[Chris Wilson]

It may work and it may not.  Personally, I wouldn't risk it.  Not on a '62 kodiak mag.

[Arwin]

I would say no too. Not sure if they used "paper" tips on that model. I think they did on the Grizzly's

[LBR]

I wouldn't risk it either.

Chad

[Raineman]

Go to a local auto parts store and get yourself one of those key rings. At least when you blow your tips off in a few days you can drill a hole in them and have yourself a nice keychain left. When you do that, send me whats left. The rosewood of the '62's that Bear used was the most beautiful wood they ever let out of that factory.

I'll PM you my address so you can send the riser after the bow becomes a grenade.


(Please insert massive amounts of sarcasm here....and PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE.....don't put anything but Dacron on that bow)

[JRY309]

Older bows I use dacron only,it may work for a few shots but I wouldn't risk it either.

[joe skipp]

NO!!!

[Bill Carlsen]

VERY BAD idea!...unless you don't care about the bow.

[artifaker1]

If your bow is high weight you might try a Dacron with more strands. I've done that with some of my old takedown limbs that are heavy. I have a twenty strand on my 70@28 limbs and they definitely perform better than with a 16 strand. The twenty strand reduces stretch a little. I went to the 20 because the limbs would be off brace in just a few shots with a normal 16 strand, but I found the performance picked up after going to the 20 strand. Just some woollies or cat whiskers for silence.

[hvyhitter]

Whats the point...6 more fps?.......

[frank bullitt]

Zane, I'm going to go against the grain on this one and say yes you can. What weight is this bow?If under say 50lbs, and you shoot the heaviest arrow possible, and yes, pad the loops heavy.  

   On Longbows, even older ones I wouldn't be afraid to put high performance strings on. I don't think there is enough stress in the limbs. That being said, its your bow and your risk.  

    Those old bears and other makes, have very thin limb tips and not alot of overlay. My question is, who's done it and what happened?

[Red Boar]

Originally posted by Raineman:
Go to a local auto parts store and get yourself one of those key rings. At least when you blow your tips off in a few days you can drill a hole in them and have yourself a nice keychain left. When you do that, send me whats left. The rosewood of the '62's that Bear used was the most beautiful wood they ever let out of that factory.


(Please insert massive amounts of sarcasm here....and PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE.....don't put anything but Dacron on that bow)

Agreed on the beauty of those '62 Bears.  Here's mine...I'd never risk it.  

 

[JL]

When I see threads like this, the first thing that pops in my head is "Why?".

I see where your going and I like the performance that FF stings offer like the next guy but I guess when it comes to vintage bows, I look at it like "It is what it is...".

I have a couple Kodiaks and had Jim (Raineman) make me some custom B50's to get a little more cast out of them but I won't consider risking them by shooting with FF stings. I ran into a guy last week who was shooting FF stings on a bow built for B50 and his bow had a cracked tip.

JL

[Raineman]

Zane, If you just absolutely have to do this, I'll trade you a '69 K-Mag for your '62. I'd rather you saw the tips off the '69 than see a '62 go to waste. (not that I'd like to see either of them destroyed, but this is a lesser of two evils offer)

Frank, Having spent a lot of time in Droptine59's restoration shop, I have seen the results first hand of such tomfoolery. It basically rips right down into the string grooves.

And as others stated...."for what?" 6fps?

As far as hand shock Zane, tune it out with a dacron string and the proper arrow. Don't try and engineer it out with deadly (to that bow) materials.

(My next post will be a basic all out, no holds barred begging for you not to do this)

[4runr]

I've got a '62 Kmag also and wouldn't think of it. I shoot it with a string from Raineman and it couldn't shoot any better IMO!!

[frank bullitt]

Raineman, no argument here, but! People tend to abuse for speed. Why, I don't know. The Man asked if it was possible, Yes it is! And if you read my whole post, I'm not recommending it, I know Bear Bows as well as the next, and others of that era! But people will try, so lets give them the best Info out there!

    I'm an antique truck  person, 1953 Chevy. 350 motors are Great, but not in my Old Truck!

[Raineman]

Originally posted by frank bullitt:
  My question is, who's done it and what happened?

No need to get in a twist.

You asked. I tried to address your question.

[LBR]

I've only seen two bows damaged by the string.  Both had FF string (original FF), low strand count, no padding in the loops.  The string literally sawed a tip off of each bow.

I can see why someone would want to put a Dynaflight, etc. string on their bow, and a few extra fps is at the bottom of the list.  There's better things like reduced shock, reduced stretch/creep, increased durability, etc.  

I'm just at a point where I don't much care to shoot a bow if I can't use Dynaflight for the string.

If you are dertermined to do it, I'd do one or both of the following.  Like Frank said, pad up the loops and use a heavier arrow.  Even better, reinforce the limb tips and cut the string grooves at the proper angle--the groove angle seems to be as important as the reinforcement.  I have two selfbows that I use Dynaflight strings on--one has deer antler on the tips, the other has bison horn.  So far, so good.

If it were me, I'd put that bow up or sell it and get one I could use a FF type string on.  JMO

Chad

[frank bullitt]

Jim, no twist here, except in the strings! I love them old Bears and other makes of that era, as you do! You also said you seen the results of this Tomfoolery, I haven't. But I always feel there has been more abuse to these bows. It's usually from light arrow weight, left standing in a corner, hot car etc. Lack of respect to fine craftsmanship and history!
   I recently put a 10 strand D-97 padded loops, flemish on a 45lb @28" Bear Brown Fox recurve my son shoots. Yes, solid fiberglass, thick tips. Shot some 2117, 180gr. tips, WOW, super quite, no hand shock! I would take it hunting for sure. Now would I do it? NO..... Good shootin, Steve.

[Bjorn]

A while back I got a 1953 Kodiak, 64" 58#. For a string it had a stranded steel cable that had Nicopress sleeves instead of splicing, and of course no padded loops LOL!
Fortunately the bow had not been shot very much and the 'string' may never have been used, although it was on the bow when it arrived.