I just built a six strand D97 skinny string & padded the loops to 14 with more D97. My bow is FF compatible but I am a little nervous. What is your thoughts on the minimum number of strands in the loops?
I consider 12 to be the minimum, 14 is fine, you could go to 16 next time you make a string.
On recurves I usually use 14.On longbows about 12 unless I built them.I don't usually add anything to the loops on the bows I build.
Your bow is FF rated and that is fine.When I make my 6 strand 450+ strings I pad my loop ends with 8 extra strands(4 per bundle) of B50 so I basically have 14 in the loop ends.Padding loop ends is probably not needed,but I pad the loops make them a larger diameter to fill the string grooves better.I feel that helps to quieten a string some.
d-97-16. 8125-16. 450-12