I'm just getting into the whole handmade strings and recieved a string from Chad at Champion bow strings (D97 flemish twist 44" for a 48" recurve)
My question is.. I shoot a brace height of 8 and 5/16 inches and I strung it up and can only get my brace down to 9" I shot about 10 or 15 arrows through it (didn't have much time) and it didn't stretch a lick. I'm afraid to untwist it to far to lengthen the string and don't want to untwist the loops.
Should I leave it strung up for a few days? Should I have ordered a longer string for this material?
How many shots does it generally take to break in a new string of the D97?
I've been shooting traditional for a few years off and on but  really got into it this year and still have alot to learn so I'll just say now thanks for the help and patience.
Kris

Did you measure your old string with your bow strung at the correct brace height? The old 4" shorter for a recurve mind set does not always work. How many strands and have you removed any of the twist? I doubt it is going to stretch 11/16", unless it is a very skinny string. Even that would take a fairly long time. Leave it strung, in a safe place, for a day or two and see what happens.

QuoteOriginally posted by BWD:
Did you measure your old string with your bow strung at the correct brace height?

I can't add anything more contructive than that.

If the bow was made and marked to AMO standards, then the string needs to be 3" shorter than the AMO length.  If it's not made to AMO standards, then you really have NO idea how long the string needs to be without measuring.

I've had bows that needed a string a little over 1" less than the marked length and bows that needed a string 5" less than the marked length.

The last string I bought was b50 at 44" but man that stuff really stretches. I guess I'm gonna have to have a 45" in D97 cause I left it strung up over nite and no string creep at all which is good cause that's what I'm going for.
Thanks guys,
Kris

I learned the hard way myself, so you are not the first and you will not be the last person to do this. Chad does an excellent job of pre-stretching the strings he makes. Good luck.

Yeah Chad did a heck of a job on the string. I'll for sure go to him again.