I had the same results with the Dacron material David. But using only selfbows where I have to unstring the bow after using, I have to press down on the tips and stretch out the string each time I string up my bows. Takes something like two seconds.

But I've since gone to using a 50/50 blend of FF and Dacron so I don't have to do anything after stringing anymore.

I use 12 Strands for up to 55 and 14 strands for up to 65 and so on . Been shooting b50  

Rob, most of the time I make 12 strand strings--sometimes 14--for all my bows that are 47-55# bows.

Art, I also unstring my bows after each use and do not need to restretch the string when I string them up again.  Dacron works great for me--I must be doing something wrong!  

You aren't doing anything wrong.  You're just using a lot of dacron.  It gets around the stretch problem, but adds weight and robs performance.

QuoteOriginally posted by David Mitchell:
Rob, most of the time I make 12 strand strings--sometimes 14--for all my bows that are 47-55# bows.

8 strands of df'97 (or comparable hmpe fiber diameter, there are many choose from and all are good), pad the loops to 12 or 14 strands = uber low stretch/creep, no noise or "shock", all the benefits of dacron without its hassles.  the resulting hi mod polyethylene bowstring will have a technical tensile strength in excess of 800#, whereas a comparable 14 strand b50 dacron (polyester) string *might* approach 700# on paper but technically be less than 650# at best.

worth a try.

I can't really tell it robs performance--not to my eye.  I might get just a tad slower arrow through a chrono but I don't care about that as I get more than enough performance to get the job done.  Trad bows and dacron strings have been getting the job done for decades--before that strings were made of even less durable and functional stuff but still got the job done.  When is enough enough is a question each must answer for himself.  And yes, I do use more modern strings on some of my bows--normally the ones that come with it, but when they need to be replaced I usually make a nice dacron string--a good bit less expensive.    

QuoteOriginally posted by joe vt:
I have some limited use of skinny strings on a couple of longbows that made them even quieter and to my eye seem to be faster. But what I have experienced with these skinny strings is constant stretching. It takes weeks for the creep to be gone...

Joe, contact Josh Sowerby aka Oliverstacy, and ask about the 450+ skinny strings. They blew me away- very quiet, fast, very low creep (none noted after the first two days of being strung) and a nice "soft" feel at the shot. You may be surprised.

I have no bias against B-50. Thought the info about 450+ might be of help to those who have had similar experiences as Joe using other FF materials.

Joshua

david, it's not at all about any hmpe performance benefits (speed) if any - it's about consistency from shot to shot, no matter what the atmospheric conditions or how long the bow's been strung or plucked.

I do.  B-50 is quieter on those I have that will accept Fast Flight.

QuoteOriginally posted by longbowray:
I shoot b-50 on all my bows

I do too.
(1) I still have lots of B50 left from almost 20 years ago.
(2) I'm Skeerd to try the less stretch stuff just in case one of my bows don't like it & say good bye.

I build all my own bows to be FF safe . Thats just in case I sell one or build one for someone else and they put a FF string on it . I shoot dacron on all my bows and from my (not too scientific) experiments with a friends (not real expensive) chronograph 8^). FF only gains you 3-5 FPS on most bows (that includes some well known customs , not just my own bows )

3-5 fps is NOT going to make a difference in a real world hunting situation. I'll take a quiet shot over 3-5 additional fps every time.

Once you initially break a dacron string in and get it stretched the "creep " that people talk about is minimal . And golly gosh ,how hard is it to put a couple of twists in it to bring it back up to the correct brace height anyway ?

 

QuoteOriginally posted by Rick Perry:
I build all my own bows to be FF safe . Thats just in case I sell one or build one for someone else and they put a FF string on it . I shoot dacron on all my bows and from my (not too scientific) experiments with a friends (not real expensive) chronograph 8^). FF only gains you 3-5 FPS on most bows (that includes some well known customs , not just my own bows )

3-5 fps is NOT going to make a difference in a real world hunting situation. I'll take a quiet shot over 3-5 additional fps every time.

Once you initially break a dacron string in and get it stretched the "creep " that people talk about is minimal . And  golly gosh ,how hard is it to put a couple of twists in it to bring it back up to the correct brace height anyway ?
   

Couldn't agree more.
My Sky Hawk for one I know is FF capable but I've always used B50 & my 2 Zona's too.
I stretch mine by using 100Lb weight on the finished string for a day.

All my new dacron strings stretch for a day or two at the most. And when I say stretch I mean only maybe 3/8". I have never had an issue of dacron strings stretching crazy.....even if my bow is unstrung for weeks it takes mins for the dacron to get back to its proper length/brace.


I have no problem with using non stretch strings as along as they are quiet to my liking.....if not I enjoy the denefits of dacron    


josh; 450+ uh.....maybe I will give a skinny string of this material a try.

Recently went to B55.  Have used it and B50 on all my bows.  Just works well and "feels" better to me.

Bows I buy that come with FF get a new handmade B55 string immediately.

My buddy chases the chrono with different materials and strand counts.  Spends hours and hours chasing the best performance.  When I let him play with one of my bows, he can get my bow shooting 5-7 fps faster than I can.  Hey, that's his bag and he enjoys it.

I just twist up a 12 or 14 strand B55 and start shooting.  I have yet to send an arrow through a chrono.

I have to mention.....as with most bows shooting characteristics; each is subjective to the user.


What I consider noisy, maybe quiet enough to someone else.

yep and when you are the one shooting the bow it is difficult to judge what is quiet . I have had times when I thought my bow was noisy and someone watching me shoot would comment on how quiet it was .

Try shooting from inside or under a metal carport. Even "very quiet" can be heard.....at least it can to me.

QuoteOriginally posted by Art B:
Try shooting from inside or under a metal carport. Even "very quiet" can be heard.....at least it can to me.

I used to shoot in a large barn, and if it was quiet in there, it was perfect outside.

The guy that has made all my strings since 1998, pre-stretches the B50 as he's building the string.

heheheheh - even if we think our bows shoot "quiet", most critters will pick up the higher frequency sounds that we humans can't hear.    :D