It never ceases to amaze me the change in a bow's personality after I put on a skinny string. I started with skinny strings on all my bows a couple years ago and never looked back. More recently I have been using 8 strands of D10 with loops padded to 16 on bows up to 60 lbs. I even went to 6 strands on a 44 lb. Whip. I make my own strings so tinkering is easier, and cheaper.
Just this week I took delivery of a 99% new NM Shelton 52@28. Shot the bow within 5 minutes of the postlady leaving. I thought, Hmmmm a little hand vibration, more than on my other bows anyway. So last night I put on a skinny D10, tied a couple nocking points on and shot it this morning. A noticeable difference!! Smoother at the shot for sure.
So, just for grins, I weighed the two strings.
String that came with the bow is a 12 strand D97 with puff balls - nice string - weighs 134 grains.
D10 8-strand, padded loops and 5.75" of center serving and tied on nocks - weighs 82 grains.
That 52 grains may not seem like alot but it's a 38% reduction in string mass. I don't know what the formulas would say but intuitively it's pretty obvious that there will be less vibration with less mass.
I will say that not all bows react to skinny strings to the same degree. My r/d bows exhibit less of a gain because they are already very smooth shooters. It seems like the bows that skinny strings make the biggest difference on are the hill style bows. Both of mine are much better shooters with skinny strings.
Just had my first experience with one. I am super impressed.
I've shot B-50 on everything since I got my first longbow 6 years ago.
This is definitely going to be interesting!
Ken
Agreed. 6 strand 450+ or 11 strand FF. Double served and padded loops. My Hill bows seem to have lost all vib.
They seem normal after a while. At first it seems they would be fragile because they are so thin.
I've thought about it, but I just can't bring myself to even try one. I know the are supposed to be plenty strong, but 6 strands? :scared: 12 strands of D-10 is as skinny as I have gone. Could a 6 strand string be any more quiet than my 12 strand D-10? How much performance gain?
I put a D10 10 strand on my Hill and it shot better. Less shock and it shoots noticeably faster.
Absolutely...I have seen the benefits on my 5 bows.
I shoot 6 strand SBD strings on all my bows 52 lbs and under and they work great. I use 8 strand 52 lbs to 57lbs. Quiet and quick!
I resisted for a while but every bow I have switched to a skinny string (mostly 8-strand D-10 SBD) has improved in speed, and silence. I am now trying to make my own but they're harder to make than a 14-16 strand string, at least for me.
huntryx, Any particular area of your skinny string build you are having problems with? When I started making strings a few years ago I started with skinny strings. Not that I'm and expert but might be able to help.
With the weight I shoot, I could get by with six strands, but them eight stand strings suit my eye a little better.
Did changing to a skinny string affect arrow spine? I just ordered a SBD but I hope I won't need new arrows.
In my experience, bows with skinny strings 'appear' to like a little stiffer spine. It could just be my imagination too since the bows shoot smoother. Unless you are on the edge of your spine to begin with I don't think you will have to change arrows. I'd like to hear others' experiences with spine.
Just shorten those arrows a touch. Use a lighter head, or aim left...
i'm entirely ignorant on this stuff.
just received my new bamabow with d97 string, though. bow is 75#@28".
string is .078". the only other bow i have strung right now is a 56#@28" o'brien. its string (old, surely dacron), measures .102".
is my bamabow string a skinny string, or is "skinny" skinnier yet?
joe
The bundles are so thin that I'm having trouble on the reverse wind before I build the second loop. Also, the padding is a bit clumsy, needing a lot of wax to stay together. Using Dynaflight 97 with B-50 padding to 16 strands.I think I just need a lot of practice.
Sledge--the "skinny" refers to the # of strands in the string, not the material.
Yep, I think practice will help with the thin bundles. With the padded loops, I use the same D10 on those as I do with the rest of the string. I swore off anything to do with B50 after the 2nd string - that stuff just does not want to behave. Try a loop with D10 padding and I think you'll have a little less stress in your life.
Sledge: I just measured two 8 strand D10 strings and they are both at .062 I wouldn't know what to recommend for a 75# bow.
Why would the string affect my nock point? It doesn't make any sense to me but I can't find the right nock point. I measured the nock point on my bow before changing the string and even checked my other bow (which is the same).
I'm scratching my head because I cant get it right. Put the bow up until tomorrow.
I agree hill style bows really benefit from a skinny string. I took the shock right out of my tembo.
I use 6 to 8 strands on all my bows.
thanks, pete-
i have every reason to have confidence in nate.
i appeeciate your taking the time to measure and respond, though.
joe