D97 vs. TS-1 for recurves; which do you prefer, and why?

[Diamond Paul]

I've heard some good stuff about TS-1 as a string material.  Is there any real advantage over D97 for recurves?  I'd appreciate hearing your suggestions, thanks.  Paul

[bentpole]

I was never a big fan of fastflight strings only B-50 for me.However my Turkey Creek Longbow came with one of the TS-1 strings that sold me. TS-1 is the quietest and the best as far as I'm concerned.

[joe skipp]

I have a TS-1 on my Kempf Stealth and love it. The bow is quiet and seems a bit quicker. I have D97 on my Summitt T/D and I also like the characteristics. However, I plan on putting the TS-1's on all my bows.

[LBR]

I've never tried TS-1, but I have made a lot of different strings for a lot of different people.  

Some folks like one material, some like another.  I've never heard of anyone using anything other than their ears to measure noise (different people pick up on different pitches), and few do head-to-head comparisons with a chronograph.  I've even heard of an instance where a fellow picked up a lot of speed on one bow with a particular material, but lost a little speed on a different one with that same material.  I know the guy and trust his results.

Short answer, this is the same as asking "which bow is best"--depends on who you ask.  The only way you will know which you like best is shoot both and see.  You may get different results depending on which bow you test.

Chad

[heydeerman]

I make TS1 plus strings but still prefer B50 on the recurve. I hate string slap of any kind and B50 is the quietest slapper I have tried so far. I have noticed a difference in performance when going from TS1 to B50 but deer dont care what string you got on yer bow. TS1 is the stuff on a longbow.

[Diamond Paul]

I know some people still like B-50, but I hate the stuff.  More handshock, hits your arm, and seems louder to me.  I have just read a lot lately about TS-1, and wonder if it is worth bothering to change to it.  I have read that it reduces performance but is quieter when compared to D-97; any truth to this?  Thanks, Paul.

[joe vt]

Been wondering myself about this TS1 material.

I have a t/d recurve that is just too noisy with the non stretch strings I have; so she's wearing Dacron. The performance is still up there but I would like to eliminate the handshock. Funny thing about handshock, you don't notice it very much if that's the only bow you shoot. But shoot a bow with little or no handshock and it becomes very evident.

So last week I ordered a TS1 string. Should be here later this week.

[Voodoofire1]

I like TS-1 myself, put it on all my ff longbows, it's very quiet,durable and fast, no handshock either, but it takes a bit to shoot it in....Steve
 

[Swanny in MD]

I like TS-1 over the D97, but much of my findings on noise comes from built up loops that are waxed like crazy.  

Imagine a wide paddle slapping on the water vs. a thin metal rod...which one will make more noise?

The effect is similar when you have huge hard string loops that slap the limbs on a recurve.  So I make my TS-1 strings 14 strand without any extra in the loops (and I make sure the string nocks are well rounded so as not to shorten the life of the string loop).  Each individual strand is more silky as well, than D-97.

As far as performance, when I had my chrony I had tested both strings and didn't find much difference in speed...if my memory is correct, then I think D-97 was a few fps on top.

In addition to the built up loops making a bit more noise...they don't fit in the string groove found on most recurve limbs as well as non-built up loops.  I've found that the limbs have less potential to twist.  Those string grooves are there for a reason and do help in maintaining straightness...if the string doesn't fit deeply into the groove, but instead, lays on top....it won't control the limb as well.

[JC]

TS-1 is quieter in my experience. D-97 was approx 1-2fps faster in my tests but not nearly as quiet. 8125 was faster still but again, not as quiet. Not worth the extra speed in my opinion.

As far as string slap, I wrap my entire loop in bow hush where ever the string contacts the limbs: adds negligable weight so I can't measure the performance decrease but certainly makes the bow as quiet as possible.

[Steelhead]

On the 2 curves I have shot it on the TS-1 was quieter than the strings i replaced with it.The strings I had on before were FF i believe or some other low stretch material.

[SpankyNeal]

Opinions not only vary between shooters but string-makers as well. I've had one string builder tell me that TS-1 was quieter then another tell me D97 was. It all boils down to trying the ones your interested in on YOUR bow and see what it prefers. I've got one each ordered to try on two different recurves to find out. I have heard that TS-1 in black bleeds color badly so it might not mix well in multicolor strings. Maybe someone here has first hand knowledge about that.

[heydeerman]

The black doesnt bleed but the red does. Not as bad as other materials I have used though.

When I mentioned performance earlier I meant the performance declined when using B50 over TS1 plus.

[JC]

I have never had problems with black TS-1 bleeding, my preferred color combo is black and brown.

[Mr.Magoo]

I like whatever is on sale.

[Michael Harnage]

TS+ is my choice. Less wax than D97 and that's about the only reason I can think of. Just less messy to work with. They are all good now a days. Takes your pick and make a string.