Efficient string material?

[Naphtali]

I am uncertain whether I'm asking the same question twice. I have one set of LONGS and one set of EXTRA SHORT carbon/maple limbs for my DAS Master Hunters. Both limb sets draw 46-48 pounds at 28 inches.

1. What is the most energy efficient string material I can use for these limbs regardless of its durability?

2. Who makes strings from this material?

3. Adding the proviso of durability to energy efficiency, does this translate to a different string material? If it does, please identify it.

4. Who makes strings from this material?
***
Am I correct that regardless of the information I receive from the previous questions, endless loop bow strings are more energy efficient than flemish twist?

[LBR]

1. What is the most energy efficient string material I can use for these limbs regardless of its durability?

A string made with any of the low stretch materials will be efficient.  How it's made, how many strands, and what your bow 'likes' will make more of a difference.  8125 and 450+ have the least stretch/creep of any material I've used.  Of the two, I much more prefer 8125.

2. Who makes strings from this material?  

I know I do, but I'm sure several others do also.


3. Adding the proviso of durability to energy efficiency, does this translate to a different string material? If it does, please identify it.

Gaining efficiency generally means going lighter--i.e., fewer strands.  I have gotten way too many reports of low strand count 450+ strings not holding up for me to be comfortable recommending them.  Low strand count 8125 and Dynaflight '97 strings seem to hold up well.

4. Who makes strings from this material?
***
Am I correct that regardless of the information I receive from the previous questions, endless loop bow strings are more energy efficient that flemish?

Not really.  Again, it depends on how they are made, strand count, material, etc.  I've made a lot of both, and on some days I rather make an endless than a flemish, but in the end the difference is negligible.  The biggest difference I've seen on my bows is noise, and flemish has been quieter for me.

[Rob DiStefano]

lance - chad's words hit the mark, heed them well.  

chad (champion custom bowstrings) is one of a group of trad gang sponsors who make superb stickbow strings.  find them all on the *** trad gang sponsor list *** found at the top of almost all forum pages.

[30coupe]

I agree with Chad. He has a wealth of practical knowledge. I like D97, mainly because that's the first low stretch material I've tried, and I have found no reason to change.

I make both Flemish twist and endless loop strings (thanks to Rob's help and advice). As Chad said, there is really little difference. My hands cramp up when I make Flemish twist strings, so I usually make endless loop these days. I would agree that the twisted strings are a bit quieter, but the deer don't seem to notice the difference.

Strand count will be kind of a compromise. Low strand strings tend to be quieter and faster (more efficient if you will). I have used 6 strand D97 strings on my Kanatis, but they seem to prefer 8 and 10 strand (46# and 52# respectively). Probably this is due to some bad habit of mine, like torquing the string at times, but I have found these strings to work best for me.

Like bows, strings need to fit your shooting style. What works well for me, might not for you. I have lots of strings hanging around my shop to prove that. That's a major advantage to building your own strings. I certainly would be less inclined to experiment if I were shelling out $10 to $15 a pop for strings. But that would also mean I wouldn't have found the combination I like best either.

Someone like Chad could probably get you pretty darn close though if you are not planning to build your own.

[gordie]

Rob " twisted" me a pretty good string a few years ago,  thanks rob.