Sticker shock on bow string material

[JW_Halverson]

I am fresh out of the shower after the violent pooping of my pants after shopping for bow string material and my heart-rate/blood pressure is nearing normal.  I will admit it has been years since I bought a quarter-pound spool of one of the nonstretch modern materials last time I was at the Tennessee Classic (2013, maybe?). But I think the prices have gotten a little out of hand. I'm looking at 3Rivers asking $150 for a pound of Dynaflight 97, and the BCY 652 Spectra is no better at $40/quarter pound!  They are closing out their Brownel's Fury cheap enough, but I know nothing about that bowstring material.

Are there other low/no stretch options out there that do not break the bank?

[PatM]

Fishing line.

[bownarra]

Yes Braided fishing line Same stuff really just made slightly differently but it still works just fine.

[Mafort]

Flax/linen. You can use a drop spindle to produce your own string to make your bow strings. Flax grows something close to 90 days or so maybe more

[Parnell]

Interesting on the braided fishing line.  What # line is appropriate, # of strands, and is Flemish string doable?

[BowEd]

It's been a while since I've needed to buy FF string.I forget how much I paid for some FF plus from 3 Rivers.That does sound like quite a bit but it will last a long long time.I imagine using braided fishing line like spider wire would work.Good thing is then the breaking strength should be shown on the package.
The FF plus I got from 3 Rivers has a breaking strength of 85#'s per strand.I had to call a tech to find that out.

[Morgan]

I am curious about what people are using lb test wise as well. I made a few Flemish strings from 50 lb test kastking braid for my bowfishing bow and it worked fine, was probably overbuilt though.

[bownarra]

The stuff I used was 40#. I've only made endless strings with it because its braided. 4 x times bow strength lasted well for me.

[PatM]

The mid-heavier weight stuff is fine and it twists up  easily when waxed.  You can just do the math to work out what's OK for your bow weight.  Most FF type materials are a bit overbuilt just to get a reasonable thickness.  I like the power-pro brand in brown.  Looks good on a wooden bow.

[BowEd]

Yes color might be a issue too.

[PatM]

Many of them come in very natural looking neutral colors.

[aznboi3644]

I get 500 yards of 80lb braided fishing line for $20 at academy.  It doesn’t stretch

[Yooper Bowyer]

How heavy is it compared to FF?

[PatM]

It essentially is FF type material.  Spectra or Dyneema.

[Morgan]

I get 500 yards of 80lb braided fishing line for $20 at academy.  It doesn’t stretch

Do you use the 80# for the main body of the string? I use that for center serving.