Mixing bowstring material ???

[longrifle]

How many mix and match different string material? Recently I made a string with both D10 and D97 and it seems fine and shoots great, am I crazy.

[Scott E]

They will stretch at different rates and are different diameters. I wouldn't recommend mixing string materials but it could work okay.

[ironmike]

there are so many self appointed quacks in that subject it's beyond amusing..stick with a single material,a real good serving,and a well made string of any single
material will win you anything your aiming at.

[longrifle]

Any pro string makers want to chime in??

[Jasper2]

Not a pro by any means but I would say that the load of the bow in that string is not distributed evenly. My guess is the D97 is doing very little? But I've been told more than once that I don't know crap!  I'm sure an expert will be along shortly to set us all straight.  

[LBR]

The only mixing I'll do is using B-55 in the loops, where it's just taking up space and not bearing any load.

Scott is right--they will have different rates of stretch and creep, so the stronger material is carrying the load.  The weaker material is just adding weight, and maybe dampening sound.

Mike Treadaway uses a string that is part HMPE and part Dacron, but he uses enough of the HMPE material to carry the load.  The Dacron is just a built in silencer.  He said he likes them because they are quieter.

Personally I wouldn't suggest it and I won't sell a string like that.  Too risky IMO.

Chad

[hvyhitter]

Ive done it with B55 and B50. 10 strand(5x5) of purple B55 then 2 strand of yellow B50 in one bundle, 2 strand of red B50 in the other for color accent. I figure the B55 doing all the work. The bow is my daughters 58" Dark Archer that was horrendously loud with some sort of skinny string that was on it when I bought it. Its been whisper quiet with the "combo" string for about 2 yrs now...................YMMV

[JamesV]

I like to experiment on my own, so this works good for me and sometimes it really works. Most times the nay-sayers haven't tried it and are just repeating what they have heard from people that haven't tried it either.

James

[Pat B]

My old Treadway bow(1999) has a string with two types of string. One is B-50 and the other is low stretch material.
 I have mixed B-50 and B-55 and there is a difference in diameter from what I can tell. B-55 seems thinner.

[buckracks7]

I was told I can mix 8125, and 8125G.

[ron w]

I have used B-50 or B-55 with D-97 and 452. I just put a couple of strands in each bundle to make the Diameter larger. I don't like the feel of skinny strings. Mike Treadway says its his regular way to make a string. Seems to work just fine...... Used it on recurves and longbows.

[LBR]

8125 and 8125G can be mixed--it's the same material, except the "G" contains a tiny strand of GORE fiber.  The rate of stretch and creep is the same.

As long as you have enough of the stronger material, you can add something else, but it's just added weight.  Rather than use a different material, you can use more strands of the same material or use a larger size serving.  You'll get the same basic effect plus have a stronger and more durable string.

Chad

[Rob DiStefano]

what chad said +2

[Pheonixarcher]

If I recall correctly, the stock Shrew strings, and the strings that Gregg Coffey now offers with his Java man bows are either 6 or 8 strands of 450+, and 2 strands of Dacron. I really like those strings for performance, feel and sound.

[JRY309]

I'll mix B50 or B55 in the loop ends but don't mix different materials in the main body.

[Alexander Traditional]

Just curious,what would be the advantage?

[Onehair]

I step  out on the limb with this but I have mixed Dacron and FF. I found it to be a great string. Very quiet and lasted until I cut it on a fence. It does settle in a little weird as it makes one big move and then it's good. I posted on this a few years back and you would have thought I was attacking the Pope.

[LBR]

Just curious,what would be the advantage?

It's just another way to silence the string.  The polyester ("Dacron") won't be close to full tension, so it will absorb vibration.  It's like adding silencers on the whole string.  The down side is it's dead weight on the string.

Do it right (use enough of the stronger material to safely carry the load), I don't see any major problems with it. Personally I rather just add a small set of silencers and tune accordingly.  So far (20 years) I've gotten excellent results like that.

[damascusdave]

The quietest string I have right now is a blend of B50 and 8125g...the b50 I believe functions as a silencing device, and effectively pads the loops and the serving area without making the string appreciably slower...I am shooting arrows that weigh over 900 grains at over 150 fps with that bow

DDave

[Java Man]

I don't use 450+ anymore.  Switched to D10, and now that it is going away, gotta use other.  Did have a complaint or two about the dacron mixed with 450+ slowing a bow down a tad.  

We are probably splitting hairs regarding speed with any single material low stretch string.   When durability and sound are really the most important factors on a stickbow.  IMHO.

Gregg