new string changed my tune!

[Jim Keller]

Hey guys , I wanted to tell you all what happened and get your input.
 I finally got my lb tuned and broadheads flying great. Noticed one bundle on my lower nock string broken. Was a ff string which came with the bow. I twist up b-50 strings, so I made a new one. Shot my bow the next day and noticed a wiggle in my flight. Went home and shot through paper. Sure enough, now my arrows were showing to stiff. Got out some arrows that were before to weak and they were perfect. I couldn't believe string material would make that much difference. Any input on this?

[mrpenguin]

String material makes a HUGE difference.  I had the same thing happen: fast flight to b-50.  I've read that a ff string can add as much as 20 fps to your arrow speed and equates to almost 5-7 lbs on the bow.  So, if you're shooting (like me) a 55# bow, you need to tune your arrows as if you're shooting 60 lbs!  I did this and the bow tuned up nicely with the arrows.  You could buy some ff string material, twist up a string, and you should be all set with your current tune.

Hope this helps!

[wtpops]

String material and strand count will make a huge difference along with string silencers and where they are positioned on the string. Get your bow tuned and then slide the string silencers out 2" and see what happens.

[varmint101]

Well, B50 stretches a lot more than FF.  The FF would be more of a 'high performance' material putting more energy into your shafts than the dacron.   So, the FF would require a higher spine.  At least, that is how it was explained to me.

[magnus]

Would an endless loop be inte middle of ff and Flemish as far as affect on energy and spine?

[SCATTERSHOT]

Endless loop and Flemish are construction methods. Either can be made of fastflight material, or B-50 Dacron.

[LBR]

There's lots of variables with strings--the material is just one.  How it's made, the number of strands, how well it's made, nock fit, length of serving, etc. etc. etc. can affect performance.

You won't normally pick up a whole lot of performance with a FF type material vs. dacron, all else being equal.  I like them for the increased durability and decreased stretch/creep.

Properly made, you will see little to no difference in performance between endless and flemish, as long as everything else is the same.

Chad

[newtradgreenwood]

With the same arrows I had to decrease my point weights 25 to 50 grains when going from a B-50 14 strand to a D97 10 strand.

[TommyBoy]

I believe it. I switched from b50 to D97 on my selfbows and it was like I was shooting a new bow!

[George D. Stout]

I am a believer after putting 450+ on my old Shakespeare Necedah.  That bow went to the next spine on arrows.  I'm shooting 2016, 28" arrow length, 130 grain point with standard insert, on a 45 pound bow.  The bow is noticeably quieter in the hand, much quicker, and picked up six to eight yards on my point-on.

A year ago I would have said no, but I was predjudiced toward dacron (five decades using it).
But with this experience, I'm now convinced that the new string material is the biggest advancement in bow performance in decades.  More than bow design by a longshot.

[Overspined]

Agree with performance increase and bow vibration decreases when you go to a high performance string.

George, I am curious as to why it took so long for you to move to FF stings? Or should I say why did it take so long to put them to the test? I find myself always intrigued with the "new" or even "fad" changes in traditional archery and feel compelled to try them. Skinny strings for instance. Why? Only because it is fun to experiment. I am not really out looking for more speed, a hotter bow, etc. I mainly shoot straight hill bows. I just find it interesting. As for skinny strings, again if you haven't tried them (I don't get carried away, using 10 or 11 strands) I was impressed with the additional vibration dampening I feel. I would have never tried it...but am glad I did because when I tried to go back to my standard string I was blown away how much additional vibration was there.

Always learning...

[deepwoods]

What is the risk of the new string materials causing a problem with the bow limbs?
I was under the impression that if the bow was not designed for the new material it may not be safe to use.

[Overspined]

go by the mfr recommendations. some older curves cannot take it, and some longbows as well. get specific in a post and you will find good info