Fast Flight vs. Non-Fast Flight Strings?

[BrownA5]

Since I have only been back into tradional archery for a few years I am curoius as to what the diferences/advantages/disadvantages to going with a fast flight string versus non-fast flight.  I understand that fast flight strings typically increase the velocity of the arrow and as a result are not as quiet.  Trying to weigh out the pros and cons as I am in the market for some new strings.  Thanks!

[Alexander Traditional]

Hey Dan,It's been awhile since i've shot traditional also. My newest bow has a fast flight string and I reallly like the extra speed. It does seem to be louder,but I'm doing all I can to quiet it down.

[steadman]

First off make sure your bow is fast flight capable. I shoot only ff now, less creep in the string and on my bows the ff is actually quieter. I don't worry about the speed. But all I shoot are longbows. YMMV  

[L82HUNT]

Originally posted by BrownA5:
 as a result are not as quiet.  

This is not always true. A well made string of modern material and a tuned bow = quiet bow.  Plus you get less stretch, less vibration, strings are stronger.

[JamesKerr]

A fast flight string is stronger, it will need less often brace height checks, and if made right it will be quieter on a longbow. On a recurve fastflight will usually be a little louder than dacron, but with Terry's Bowhush it will be as quiet as a mouse.

[LBR]

I understand that fast flight strings typically increase the velocity of the arrow and as a result are not as quiet. Trying to weigh out the pros and cons as I am in the market for some new strings. Thanks!

You'll typically get a very small increase in performance, comparing apples to apples...i.e., if you are comparing a 20 strand dacron string to a 10 strand 8125G on a 35# bow with arrows that weigh the same, that's not apples to apples and you'll see a big difference...but typically you're looking at maybe 2-5 fps., if even that.  

As with most everything in this sport, there are variables.  How the string is made can make a big difference in noise, performance, and durability--maybe as much or more than the material itself.

Comparing equally well made strings, one with dacron the other with an HMPE (FF) material, neither going to any extremes one way or the other, you can expect the "FF" to be stronger, more durable, have less elasticity(stretch) and elongation (creep).  Strings that are very overbuilt or very underbuilt can negate some of the benefits.

String noise is usually a different pitch, but a little tinkering and tuning will go a long way.  Tinker with the brace height first, to find the "sweet spot".  Then add silencers and tie them on so they too can be tuned.  Moving the silencers up or down the string as little as an inch can make a big difference in some bow's noise.

Once in a while folks come across a bow that seems to just "like" one material over another, but it's rare--usually it's just a matter of tuning or form/release.  I personally have never owned a bow like that (I've owned quiet a few over the last 20 or so years), but I realize it can happen.

That being said, I much more prefer HMPE (FF) materials over dacron because of their durability and lack of stretch/creep.  I only own a few bows that are not FF compatable, and I own them because they were gifts and hold a lot of sentimental value...they don't get shot nearly as much as my FF rated bows.  I even put FF on my selfbows.

Dynaflight '97 and 8125G have been my long-time favorites, but the new 8190 is looking pretty good.

Chad

[Night Wing]

I'm in agreement with LBR's comments.

[Red Beastmaster]

I resisted switching to FF strings for years.

I eventually tried them on two of my custom bows, one is a hybrid longbow, the other a recurve, both from reputable bowyers. Initially, I didn't care for the "doink" sound at all but the arrow speed was noticably faster. I figured it was a trade off of sorts.

In spite of the bows using the string they were designed to use I just did not like the way the bows felt when shot. I gave them both a fair test of two years, thinking it was just me and I would get used to it. I never did. My accuracy was not as good with the FF strings. A few extra FPS means nothing if I'm not feeling the shot and hitting my mark. I was not one with the bow.

I recently threw all my FF strings in the trash and went back to B-50. It was like shaking hands with an old friend! The feel was back and so was the accuracy. The old "thud" sounded great too!

As stated above, the bow will tell you which string material to use.

[eflanders]

I agree with much of what everyone else has already said.  One thing thatt I have learned is that not all bows and/or shooters prefer the HMPE (FF) based strings.  Some guys prefer the feel and release qualities of the Dacron based strings and some bows just can't handle the HMPE strings in fear of damaging them. The bottom line is that there are likely some trade-offs when shooting/using different string materials.  This is what separates the best string makers from the also-rans.  The best makers design their strings factoring in all of the variables of each material and this is also why it is critical that they know what bow they are making the string for.

[bluej]

I just purchased a crow creek dalton, my second one in less than a year. Both came with a fastflight string. I put b50 on them and I love the way the string feels on my fingers, the b50 just fits me better than the fastflight. I have talked to a lot of shooters that swear by fastflight, just not for me, each to his own.

[Ben Maher]

What LBR said .

[Steve95]

I like the non ff strings. B-50 or B -55 materials make good strings. Engineering to the extreme can creat instability. A heavy slower arrow is for me.

[BrownA5]

Thanks everyone for the feedback.  I really appreciate it.  I will go the route of FF since that is what the bows currently have.  Time to go play!

[jess stuart]

I seem to find the modern type strings last longer in additon to  the already mentioned benefits.  I was slow to get on board but now much prefer the modern string materail.

[erierik]

I put a sbd 8 strand ff on my r/d longbow.quieter and no creep for me.Really like it.It hits a little harder for sure but I didn't do it for the extra speed as I shoot a 700 grain arrow at 50 lb.Dead quiet.