My experience and chronograph TESTING has shown it takes about 15 grains of string weight reduction to = 1 fps.
As far as the KEN BECK CHALLENGE...To say the reason they deny the results is because he can't market low strand strings is simply doesn't hold water. ANYONE can make a low strand count string...including Ken's company.
DAN QUILLAN advertised low strand bowstrings probably close to two decades ago now. He used ff before going to 8 strand count 450Premium...yes, I said 450 premium, not 450+. 450+ came out later, and he switched to that. About a decade or so ago he used to order his bowstrings from me, and not long after I started making his strings he switched to 10-12 of dynaflight97 since D97 was a slimmer individual strand size.
All that said, I don't use lsc bowstrings myself, but I have little or no concerns about going down to 9 strands 3 ply dyanflight97 or D10. I wouldn't go below that myself though. Personally, I shoot 12 strands most of the time. I also have nothing against 15 strands either, especially when in the bush fighting briars and such. The issue isn't that significant IMO. I am not saying one can't go below that should they want to, but personally I think the risks outweigh the gains should one go below 9 strands of such diameter dyneema (hmpe) strands.
People should be skeptical and let the facts present themselves in order to find what works for them...don't please use some objective measure of facts like a draw marked arrow and a chronograph rather than subjective measures like "my arrow feels harder to pull out of the target" (which is more influenced by where you hit the target).
I also agree with Chad that if you are getting an "accordian" affect with D97 then the string wasn't made properly.
I notice that many light weight bowstring users are also using pure spectra type (a hmpe), which is a slick non-braided serving. I myself don't like that type of serving because it is more prone to slip than a braided serving and has to be put on extremely tight...and I am not so sure I would want that much side "crushing" pressure on a light weight 6 strand string that is ALSO stressed to close to its limit already. Just food for thought. IMO, if you are going to use a lsc bowstring, use a braided serving that is less prone to slippage and still put it on snug of course (but without having concern of overdoing tightness to avoid slipping). Stability is gone when a nock moves up or down. If you think I am kidding...try this VERY simple test, which only takes 30 seconds to confirm. Get a piece of dental floss...which is NOT that strong even. Wrap it around a spectra serving just one or two times. Then, take both loose ends of the dental floss and wrap them around your finger (or a pencil) and then pull it either up or down the bowstring. There is a good chance you will be able to slide the spectra serving an 1/8" or more and have a gap exposing the string fibers underneith. That is GREATLY REDUCED with a braided serving such as the #62 braid (there are other good braided servings as well).
One last comment. I do NOT want my comments to reflect on silient but deadly bowstrings. I looked at their website and from what I see their bowstring construction METHOD appears second to none, as you can see their flemish is tight and their bundles lay together in the body of the string (instead of being like two ropes wrapped around each other). Chad (LBR) also makes a well made bowstring. There are a bunch of improperly made bowstrings out there, but both LBR (Chad) and SBD do a good job twisting up their strings.
Topic: Skinny Bowstring Experience (Read 1847 times)
