Thank you LBR,Im using X nocks and H nocks
Depending on how you like your nock to fit, and what size serving you are using, you could probably do fine with 12 strands. I'd still pad the loops to 18 or so though. It's quick and easy to do, no down-side to it.
Dynaflight '97 isn't crap at all, and the difference in the newer materials isn't huge in most cases. You'll see a bigger gap in the difference in stretch and creep when pushing the limits with low strand counts.
Just like original "Fast Flight", when Dynaflight '97 hit the market it was the best there was. Since then, better base materials have become available, primarily higher grade Dyneema, which allows for a "better" (less stretch, less creep, better durability) string material to be made. There's still not a big difference in Dynaflight and the highest grade 100% Dyneema material made (8190). BCY-X is a blended material (83% SK90 Dyneema, 17% Vectran).
Personally I shot my highest scores and won more tournaments using a Dynaflight '97 string than I have with anything else...but I used it for around 15 years. I wouldn't have a problem going back to it. BCY-X just makes a little better string for me.
Chad