Monofilament serving

zepnut · May 04, 2016, 06:31:00 PM

Curious as to what your preference is and why
mono or nylon

Msturm · May 04, 2016, 07:40:00 PM

I use 20 lb test mono. it is what I have on hand. I have not had problems with it. But I have only just started to make strings.

Msturm

Bvas · May 04, 2016, 07:58:00 PM

Just started making strings myself.
I went with nylon for end servings and spectra for center. Spectra is some 65lb braided fishing line I already had. I needed something thin to fit my nocks, but wanted it durable. So far, it has worked well for me.

bamboo · May 04, 2016, 08:29:00 PM

mono center servings are slick and tough

-if you check the fishing line spools they have a thickness listed in inches-typically it is very accurate

--I have found .021"--.023" to be about right for most modern materials w/moderate strand counts

-I also have found the cheap-stiffer monofilament lines -often found in large spools work best

-I also re-spool them on empty serving spools with my cordless drill-in order to fit into serving tools

Charlie Lamb · May 04, 2016, 09:22:00 PM

Years ago I tried monofilament and didn't like it. It seemed to improve arrow speed and release was really slick.

Maybe it's changed, but I found it to be noisy and it was really hard to tell if it needed replacing. In the event the serving did fail it all came loose like a coil spring.

hawkeye n pa · May 05, 2016, 07:12:00 AM

X2 Mr. Lamb.

Nylon can be hand wrapped and tied in the field if needed. Never was able to do that with mono. Although it seldom happens, but has none the less. (Mr. Murphy)

tracker12 · May 05, 2016, 09:27:00 AM

When I got my bow from Leon Stewart the string he made had mono for the serving. I think he told me he used the cheapest Berkeley line he could get from Wally World. I think it worked fine.

Gordon Jabben · May 05, 2016, 09:41:00 AM

I still use mono but it's getting harder to find at the local archery shops. Seems like I tried fishing line once, may have to try it again.

LBR · May 05, 2016, 10:06:00 AM

There's a reason mono serving has all but disappeared. Customers drive the market.

I don't care for nylon so much either--only comes in one size, and isn't very durable.

I use materials designed for the purpose. Halo, 62XS, and Power Grip.

RAGHORN 3 · May 05, 2016, 10:24:00 AM

I am really happy with 50# Berkley Big Game trilene, high viz green. The 1st 10 shots or so the nocks are a little tight, after that they seem to have a perfect firm fit.

May 05, 2016, 12:18:00 PM

No mono for me! Halo is the best serving material I have found, and I use it on all my bowstrings.

Bisch

monterey · May 05, 2016, 02:17:00 PM

Hmmmm, how about the braided fishing line? What's it made of?

Orion · May 05, 2016, 04:12:00 PM

I still have some mono, but don't use it anymore. Gives a very good release, but doesn't wear as well as the Halo or fast flite I use now. I'd probably use mono over nylon though.

macbow · May 05, 2016, 07:57:00 PM

Like charlie said when it breaks it all unravels.
Can't begin to guess the number of failures I tried to fix on the coarse in the '80's.

Eric Krewson · May 06, 2016, 09:12:00 AM

Yep, nothing like shooting on a 3D course and hearing that pop/werrrr and seeing your mono serving unravel completely. I quit using the stuff years ago.

RAGHORN 3 · May 06, 2016, 10:45:00 AM

I keep a couple spools on hand. If I see any sign of wear on the mono? I replace. Also I replace a week or two before the hunting season starts. As everyone has stated, once it goes, it goes!

Zradix · May 06, 2016, 11:08:00 AM

QuoteOriginally posted by Charlie Lamb:
Years ago I tried monofilament and didn't like it. It seemed to improve arrow speed and release was really slick.

Maybe it's changed, but I found it to be noisy and it was really hard to tell if it needed replacing. In the event the serving did fail it all came loose like a coil spring.

Agreed.
Also with my leather tab it wore little grooves into it.

Terry Green · May 06, 2016, 05:18:00 PM

I can't wait to bid on the St Judes Auction!!!

Overspined · May 06, 2016, 08:21:00 PM

Another Halo vote

Adam Keiper · May 07, 2016, 07:38:00 AM

I've had mono suddenly break and uncoil wayyyy too many times over the years. I haven't used it for years. Brownell's nylon serving thread is cheap and so much better.