Q? About bow string breaks

[Geezer]

Twice in the last year I've had my FF strings break; both times on the release.  I'd like to hear opinions on whether I'm doing anything wrong, and/or is this normal and/or what should I be doing different?  I'm getting about 12 months of use out of each string/these are 18 strand FF's/the bow is left strung/string is properly waxed/I'm not seeing any fraying on string and no indication that its about to break.  The first time, the string unraveled near the serving.  The second time most of it unraveled but the main (?) string broke.  

Thanks in advance for any help.

[Carbon Jack]

If you shoot at least once a week over a year's time you are not replacing your string often enough. 18 strands is a rugged string and what I use also. I do not like light strings.

I shoot a fairly regular routine daily and count all my shots. I shoot 7-800 arrows per week. I do this 52 weeks a year, only taking time off if I'm sick. So this gives me good indication of string life.

For me I swap out strings every 10,000 shots. That's about 3 months if I shoot the same bow all the time. Of course I shoot other bows over time but keep scoring records along with shot counts for every bow I use. So I always know how many shots are on a certain string.

In short, you need to change strings more often unless you have a rough nock that is chaffing the loop.

Jack

[JRY309]

Where did it break,did it break it the same spot?I haven't had any strings break,except when I accidently nick it with a broadhead.I have heard of some strings breaking under the metal nocks crimped too tight,I prefer tie-on nocks myself.Rough nocks on the bow can wear a string and cause it to break.

[BernieH]

I agree with JRY309. If you're using a crimp on string nock I'd switch to a tie on one.

I've had 9 strand Formula 8125 strings on my recurves for YEARS without any failures.

[Carbon Jack]

Good thoughts on the crimp nock points. I've never used these always preferring to tie thread nock points and then coat with fletching cement. So squeezing a taunt sting with a pliers and a metal band might not be a grand idea.

[Jeff Strubberg]

Originally posted by Carbon Jack:
[qb] If you shoot at least once a week over a year's time you are not replacing your string often enough. 18 strands is a rugged string and what I use also. I do not like light strings.

Jack; I don't shoot anywhere close to as many arrows as you do, but if I swap a string in less than 2-3 years it's because I've whacked it against something and abraded a spot.  My usage is probably 100 arrows or so a week, double that during 3D season.

Geezer, how tight are your nocks?  If you clip and arrow on the string, can you thump the back of the nock with a finger and get the arrow to fall off?

[Carbon Jack]

Truth is, Jeff, I have no real idea how long a good string will last if it is not injured. All I know is I once snapped an endless string on release during a match and it really shook me up. I was junk after that worrying if I'd damaged a favorite bow.

So I maybe change them out too early. Better to play it safe.

Jack

[Bowwild]

In more than 40 years of year- round shooting (34 years with compounds) I've never had a string break. I watch them close, wax them, and am very careful not to damage them.

This thread is making me nervous!

[straitera]

Me too Bowwild until this year. Broke 3 different strings on 3 different bows. One was ff. Tie on nock points except on 1 bow w/brass clamp-on. Not sure how it happened. Just lucky I guess.

[Geezer]

Thank you, everyone for the excellent advice. This is my first or second thread posted here; though I've been an avid reader.  I'm taking your comments about the nock to heart; the first time the string went on me it was just below the knock, this second time it was much lower on the string.  I do admit my guilt in pinching the nock on pretty tight...in retrospect, probably much too tight.  I'm going to use a tie-on nock on my new string.

Thanks again to all...and Happy New Year from Colorado.

[Jack Whitmire Jr]

In 36 years bowhunting I have only had 1 string break and it was due to the nocking point. I finally went with a tie on nock point.

Jack

[Bowwild]

Straitera,
Were your bows harmed?  Was there any wear showing on the strings before breaking?  I'm getting ready to toss out any string less than 12 strands (I have 3, Bikini strings) because of this thread. I don't really want to go to much bigger than that (Astro Flight -- new FF material from Brownell). An 18-strand string would seem like a cable to me.

I use only tie-one nock locators.

A young man in 4-H lost an eye about 20 years ago due to a rebounding (hit the face of the window and back at the archer)brass nock locator.  A friend from WI stood next to a female shooter at Vegas 4 years ago as she was struck just below the eye.

I did use Brass nock locators for years and never had one break a string or come off. But I've found I much prefer the tied-on nock locators better.

you can visit  www.archeryintheschools.com  to see how NASP teaches to put them on.  I'm sure there are numerous Youtube vids out there as well.

[straitera]

Roy G., I've been shooting since 12 & I'm 59 & NEVER broke a string until this year. One bow I bought used from a friend who slightly buggered up the string groove (discovered after string broke) so that is fixed now. I make my own brass nocks but may have clamped it too tight (maybe?) on second bow. Can't say on the last string; however, none were immediate catastrophic failures. RARELY leave my bows strung but will if hunting again the next day. 2 bows decreased brace height overnight before I noticed the string breaking. The final string broke one strand at a time while I was shooting. None resulted in severe trauma of the wood. I other words, they all broke slowly. The last one I watched break strand by strand until the bow completely relaxed.

[Bowwild]

Thanks Straitera!

I know the folks at Brownell and BCY. I'm going to call them and discuss this topic and get their advice.

I'll share if I learn something.

[30coupe]

I've only had one break and that was a B50 string with a brass nock point. It let go at the shot with no harm done to bow or shooter. I no longer use brass nock points.

I leave my bows strung about 90 percent of the time. I think stringing and unstringing wears your string (nock ends) more than leaving it strung.

[frank bullitt]

Yes, brass nock could be the culprit! Did you use the right size? There are different ones for different strand sized strings.

I've had one string, in over 30 years of shooting, break! It was a Fast Flight, 18 strand, that gave way under the serving at the nock. More than likely, compression failure!

It was a recurve that was kept strung and shot often.

Imagine, the string bending each time at the shot, over and over, just like bending piece of steel, until it breaks!

Shoot enough, stuff happens!

[Pepper]

Are you shooting the same arrows?
Have you checked the throat of the nocks for nicks, or damage.  Sometimes, a nock can be damaged when shooting if you hit it with another arrow.
I would check my nocks, and serving, and replace them if there are any that are suspect.

[Bowwild]

For those using tied on nock locators (I do). The string makers recommend against using any type of glue on the thread you used to tie the locator.  The glue, especially super glues, can soak through the serving thread into the string and make it brittle at this spot. Just snug the thread down tight and melt the ends and press them down. Replace the tied on knott when/if it begins to fray or come lose.  I received a bow in trade today with a great string and tied on nock locators. It appears the knots have had glue applied to them so I'll retire the string for a new one without glue.