I was hoping somebody could tell me the pro's and con's of skinny strings.
What differences will I see in a 6 strand vs a 8,10,or even 12 strand?
All my bows are right around 49-50 pounds at my draw. Thank you all for your time.

They'll be faster !

Is a 6 strand quieter than a 12 strand? Is there a good compromise between the two?

Depends on the material.  12 strands of BCY-X will be smaller than 6 strands of 450+.

I personally haven't seen any real benefits to very small diameter strings vs. more moderate sized ones if they are equally well made.

Speed difference is negligible, especially if you have to double-serve to get decent nock fit.  Noise difference is negligible if you tune properly.

You will get more stretch and creep, and less durability, from lower strand counts.

This is my personal experience.  The only way to find out if you will like one is to try it and see.

Seems most Olympic archers use strings that are, to me anyway, overbuilt.  I like mine not too fat, not too skinny.

I've shot skinny strings. The string I shoot now is 18 strand BCY-X LBR made for me. I can't tell speed is any different. I don't have a chrono, I think speed is the same, but I really feel it is quiter.

I've had a BCY 10 6-strand string break on me on a 50# bow.  It's the only string that has ever broken on me. This is a sample of 1, and clearly not representative, but it was enough to convince me to always use 8 strands of BCY 10 on all my bows up to 55#, which is the most weight I shoot these days.

Thanks guys. I know nothing about strings but am getting ready to outfit all my bows with better strings, all I have ever shot is just what ever has came with the bow.

If you want speed and quiet BCY-X will do both...I like 3 bundle strings of 21 or 24 strands

DDave

Like chad said. Not a lot of  speed difference
 I've had best luck making just a couple strands more then what most would call skinny.  On BCY x.  14-18 strands depending on bow weight is what I'm liking and getting a lot of
feedback on

Like said depends on string material.I shoot a padded loop 6 strand 450+ on a 60# Savannah.I have made a lot of skinny strings for my bows.I usally have to double serve for nock fit or build up under serving.I like to make my strings now to get one serving.Been doing a lot of BCY-X and just make a 18 strand with 22-24 in the loops and serve with .021 62XS,It gives me the nock fit I'm looking for.

If it were me...I'd get with Chad(LBR) at Champion strings, Allen at Ten Ring Strings, Pierre at SBD or any of the other great string makers on this site and tell em' what your looking for in a string and they'll take care of you.
We are lucky to have the best string makers around as Sponsors on this site.

jt85,

as far as information goes, there aren't many more knowledgeable than Chad.  

In my experience, I don't know if there is a definitely increase in performance, but I know that a skinny string definitely changes the spine of my arrow to where I will have to drop point weight,etc.  Though I have heard it has something to do with the the string cycle, etc.  

Just thinking out loud, but wouldn't a lighter string with the same weight bow move faster than a heavier string?  

I'm just thinking in reference to arrow weight and speed.  A 8gpp arrow will be faster than a 10gpp arrow every time, right?

QuoteJust thinking out loud, but wouldn't a lighter string with the same weight bow move faster than a heavier string?

I'm just thinking in reference to arrow weight and speed. A 8gpp arrow will be faster than a 10gpp arrow every time, right?

It would appear that way on paper, but you have to consider a few other things.

First, if you have to pad out the serving, double serve, etc. then you are adding a lot of the weight you saved right back to the string, and in the most crucial point on the string.

Second, we aren't talking about anything close to 2 gpp of arrow weight.  The difference a few strands of string makes in weight is tiny.

Third, as you mentioned, the string travels a certain path and that can vary when dropping strands.  Some say it affects their release.  I'm not anywhere near a top level shooter or Olympian, but I've never seen or heard of anyone who has made a name for themselves shooting a bow accurately that goes to low-end extremes with strand count.  Will it affect the average archer much, if at all?  I couldn't say.

I am a relatively new archer, but i love to tinker. I have been making strings now for the past couple months from B55 and D 10. Have tried skinny with the D10 alone with padded loops, have tried B55 alone have tried a mixture of both, i have strings everywhere of diff lengths and materials. The string that provides the quietest and best cast is 14 strands of D10 with .019 Halo serving. My bows range from 49-53 #, and have carben/foam limbs except for my GM2, which is stock. I shoot heavy arrow 12gpp and up.

Thank you all again for all the info. Now the tough part picking between all our great sponsors.