Strings

[Kegan]

I've been looking for some good string material. What's everyone's preference? Anybody know of a cheap "alternative" to Dacron or such (my bows pulling about 80#)?

[huntertrapper]

i got a bow that pulls 45# and i used 3 strans of artificial sinew. i braided them together then hung a weight at the bottom. over nigh it stretched so make it shorter than intended by a good inch. id say. now #80 pounds i aint sure how it would do there? maybe 5 strands or something?

[jamie]

look online for a fireworks supply dealer. they sell spools of linen that will make excellant string.

[Kegan]

I would have never thought of that. Thanks Jamie !

[carpenter374]

Try the leather working linen twine. Its strong stuff.

[mullet]

 Spyder wire fishing line is about the same as FastFlight.

[El Destructo]

Spyder wire fishing line is about the same as FastFlight.

What pound test do you recommend for 50-60 pound Bows....and how many strands???

[mullet]

 yankee, I don't know. A friend uses it and I never asked him what weight.

[El Destructo]

Yankee, I don't know. A friend uses it and I never asked him what weight.

I have always used B50.....or Linen ....but I would like to try some Spiderwire....I have heard that it doesn't stretch like the B50 does......

[david w.]

would spider wire saw through your tips?

[DCM]

Spiderwire is very abrasive.  If you use it for a string, make an endless string so you can serve the loops.  FF is cheaper, easier to work with, waxed, not braided, better in every regard.  I do use Spiderwire for serving for years though, and have been very impressed with it.  14 strand FF and 2 wraps of 40# Spiderwire fits Bohning index nocks.  I look for it in the Fall/Winter at Walmart, usually can pick up a $20 spool discounted to $5.

[mullet]

 DCM, I thought they quit making FF ? My friend traded me all his B-50 for the roll of Fastflight I had.

[DCM]

Mullet the last I bought was labeled FF Plus, same price as old FF.  Kinda like "new, improved" Tide washing poiwders I reckon.  As an aside, you'd think as improved as them washin' powders have been, you'd only have to wave the box over yer laundry these days.  LOL  This was last summer at MoJam (The Nocking Pont).  Don't honestly know if they quit making it.  $22 for 9000' is a good deal, best in the game in my view, if you make as many strings as selfbowyers are liable to.  I like linen for staying natural, but it's just not as durable and is more expensive by a good measure.  When you get into the designer synthetics you can pay 2 to 3 times the price.  Appropriate maybe for target archers, big budget glass bows, but just doesn't seem like it's worth it for an inherently inefficient wooden bow.

I hate to say it but while B50 is cheap, it ain't hardly fit even for even tillering strings in my view.  I ain't trying to pick a fight, but what did you dislike about FF, and prefer about B50?

[jamie]

david i hate fast flight. always have. mainly a noise thing. in my opinion fast flight is loud and for the extra little bit of speed it delivers id prefer the quieter b50. ive always stayed away from it mainly because of its ability to tear a nock up but then i found how loud it was. natural materials first  then b50. linen is even quiter than the b50. but like ya said its just not as durable. always have to have a back up string on hand

[George Tsoukalas]

"I hate to say it but while B50 is cheap, it ain't hardly fit even for even tillering strings in my view.  I ain't trying to pick a fight, but what did you dislike about FF, and prefer about B50?"
Morning, DCM. I like it when a man speaks his mind.
I use B-50 largely out of fear.
Jawge