Safe to use FF string on old takedown?

[bd2cool]

Hi All,

Would it be safe to use an FF string on an 1974 Shakespears Takedown bow?
It is 60 inches in length and 55 pound pull.

Thanks

Bob

[Ricker]

I am pretty sure it would be best not to use fast-flite or any other skinny non stretch type material such as 8125 or 450 etc....
Even if you pad the loops with a bow of that age you're taking a risk.

[bd2cool]

Thank you

[Bowtie]

Bob, I totally agree with chupa, don't risk it.

[George D. Stout]

Bob, it's a risk because no tests have been done to prove or disprove that they will harm old bows.  I won't tell you to use fastflight on your bow; I will tell you I'm using three different kinds of fastflight material on three different vintage bows.  They are working great for me.  I'm doing it to satisfy my own curiousity.

I was a proponent of nothing but B50 also on vintage bows, but the more I thought about it the less sense it made to me.  I have a 67 Shakespeare Necedah with 450+ string on it, and have over 2000 shots through it without incident.
I also have a 61 Bear Polar that I have a TS-I string on, and a 72 Bear Takedown that I have a D-97 sting on.  These bows show less vibration with the new material and are quite mild-mannered through the shot.

As I said, I won't tell you to try it...it may well be a risk.  I'm just willing to take that risk based on intuition and, now, some personal experience.  More to follow.

[d. ward]

FF did not or do not actually break the bows that often.However bows manufactured before 1960 had paper tip overlay matiral and the FF string would kind of saw the end of your limbs off.bd    

[George D. Stout]

Fact is, you have to think about what you are doing.  The old paper micarta tips will even fall off over time, so it's never a good idea to experiment with them.  I probably wouldn't try it on a handed-down, heirloom that I wanted to keep for sentimental value.

One has to make intelligent decisions regarding their own bows and whether experimenting is worth it to them.  With bows that have decent tip overlays, and nice rounded teardrop string nocks, my guess is much of the new stuff will work fine.  Just as the old bows put up with linen strings that had very little stretch.

Everyone has one horror story and will quickly show that as a prime example, with no follow-up study.  I can show you three bows that are working well with no issues whatsoever.

We really can't make too many boasts, or come to too many conclusions, until more study has been done.  I think new strings can be harmful to some older bows, but I think the impact has been grossly overstated, and one has to try a few for themselves.  Just not an irreplaceable heirloom.

[artifaker1]

Treason George! I would like to point out that the people who are investigating FF on old bows are using skinny strings (low strand count), which seem to reduce vibration and stress, even on bows made for dacron. If it is your only bow you might not want try it.

[George D. Stout]

artifaker1,  actually, two of my bows are using 14 strand strings without padded loops.  The Shakespeare does have the 6 strand with 12 in the loops because a gentleman made them for it as an experiment.  The quietest and most behaved bow of the three, is the 72' Bear Mag. Takedown.
It has a 14 strand, flemish twist, D-97...no padded loops.  It is much quieter on the loose (release) with this string than with a 14 strand dacron.  And, it is quiet enough to hunt with with just two sets of B-50 for silencing material.  See...I still like dacron.

The Shakespeare shoots very well with the "skinny" string and padded loops.  I suppose the less mass in the string does lessen the impact of the shot.  But it also shoots well with a D-97, 14 strand, and a 12 strand dacron.

The biggest advantage I see is the quietness of the bow during the shot process...and I don't mean string noise, per se'.  The bow is much more pleasant....dead in the hand, if you will.
The additional, overall performance comes from the more efficient transfer of energy to the arrow.  Good grief....I can't believe I just said that 8^).  

Now please....don't run to the cabinet and change all your old bows to fastflight material. I'm doing this knowing there could be issues, and I don't have a lot of money involved in these bows...so it's "my choice" to do this.  Every week of shooting will tell me either Yea or Nay.  This can't be done in a week or a month.

[robtattoo]

Just so long as you're using big 5" fletches, not small 3" ones    

Sorry George, just pulling your leg  :D

[artifaker1]

I stand corrected George, I thought yours were all skinny strings. My bad.

[bd2cool]

I think that I am going to stay with B40.
The bow is in great shape.
Thanks for the replys.