Selecting The Right Archery String Material

Selecting the right string material for your bow is crucial to achieving optimal performance. The string material affects the bow's accuracy, quietness, and overall performance. When choosing a bowstring, it's important to consider factors such as the type of bow, draw weight, desired number of strands, and string length.

For recurve and longbow strings, the most commonly used materials are Dacron (Polyester) and Dyneema/Spectra (HMPE-High Molecular Polyethylene). Dacron, known for its durability and stretch, is commonly used in beginner equipment and older bows. On the other hand, Dyneema materials like BCY DF 97 and 8125 offer less creep and higher arrow speeds on newer bows.

The number of strands in the string depends on the draw weight of the bow. Heavier bows require a higher number of strands, which increases the strength and weight of the string.

Additionally, it's important to choose the correct string length for your bow. The Archery Manufacturers and Merchants Organization (AMO) provides a standard for measuring recurve and longbow string length, which is typically three inches shorter than the stated bow length.

By considering factors like bow type, draw weight, number of strands, and string length, archers can select the most suitable string material for their equipment and performance needs.

Bowstring length

When it comes to bowstring length, it is critical to get the right size string for your bow to achieve optimal performance. The correct bowstring length for a particular bow is usually three inches shorter than the stated bow length, according to AMO (Archery Manufacturers and Merchants Organization) standards. This means that if you have a 68-inch bow, you will need a 65-inch bowstring. However, this is not guaranteed to be optimal in every case, as modern materials and string-building methods have reduced stretch in bowstrings.

To measure a traditional bowstring, it should be placed on 1/4" pegs at 100 lbs of tension for 20 seconds, and then measured from the outside of one peg to the outside of the other. This is because different materials have different stretch rates, and this standardises the measurement process. For example, a Dacron bow string can measure up to one inch shorter when hand-tightened than it will at 100 lbs of tension, while a newer material like 8125 may only have a difference of 1/4 inch.

If your bow is not marked with an AMO length, you can measure it yourself. For a longbow, measure from string groove to string groove on the belly of the bow, with the grip facing you. For a recurve, your groove-to-groove measurement should follow the curvature of the top limb, run straight over the riser, and follow the curvature of the bottom limb. This measurement is the AMO length of your bow, and to get the correct bowstring length, you should subtract three inches.

It is important to note that some bows may be marked with a specific length to ensure the correct bowstring length is used. In these cases, the bowyer (bow maker) may have marked the bow with a length that differs from its actual measurement. Therefore, it is recommended to learn how to correctly measure a bow string yourself or consult the bow maker when ordering a new one.

Bowstring material

The bowstring is a critical component of an archery setup, joining the two ends of the bow and launching the arrow. When selecting a bowstring, it is essential to consider factors such as the type of bow, draw weight, desired performance, and compatibility with arrow nocks. Here is a guide to help you choose the right bowstring material:

Standard Bowstrings:

Standard bowstrings are typically made of durable materials like B50 Dacron or Dacrogen, which offer a slight stretch. They are suitable for entry-level to competition shooting with recurve bows and traditional archery. The number of strands in a standard bowstring can vary from 10 to 14, depending on the draw weight of the bow. More strands make the string heavier and stronger, and they can also affect arrow nock fit.

Advanced Bowstrings:

Advanced bowstrings aim to increase arrow speed by using materials with little to no stretch. These materials are constantly evolving to improve performance. Advanced strings are available in different materials, strand counts, and lengths to suit specific bow setups.

Custom and Candy Stripe Bowstrings:

Custom bowstrings can be made to your specifications, allowing you to choose the material, colour, strand count, length, and other features. Candy stripe strings are a popular choice among customers.

Specialist Bowstrings:

Specialist bowstrings are optimised for specific bows, such as the Classic Hunter, Horse Bows, or Bearpaw Traditional Bows.

When it comes to bowstring materials, there are several options to consider:

• Dacron (Polyester): Commonly used for beginners, wooden bows, and older bows. It has good durability and stretch, reducing shock to the bow. Dacron strings are easy to maintain and can last for years.
• Liquid Crystal Polymers (LCP): Materials like Kevlar and Vectran offer higher density and smaller diameter than Dacron, resulting in faster arrow speeds.
• Ultra-High-Molecular-Weight Polyethylenes (UHMWPE): Materials such as Spectra and Dyneema are lighter and faster than Kevlar, with a longer lifespan.
• Composite Fibres: Combining materials like Vectran and Dyneema to gain the benefits of both.

When choosing a bowstring material, consider the type of bow, the desired performance, and the compatibility with your arrow nocks. Additionally, ensure that you select the correct length and number of strands for your bow's draw weight.

Number of strands

The number of strands in your bowstring can depend on several factors, including the material used, the draw weight of the bow, and the desired thickness of the string.

Modern bowstrings for recurves and longbows are generally made from either Dacron (Polyester) or Dyneema/Spectra (HMPE-High Molecular Polyethylene). The number of strands you'll need can vary depending on the string material and serving thread. It's important to ensure that your arrow's nock fits onto the centre serving securely but is not too tight. As a general rule, you can follow these guidelines for the number of strands based on your bow's draw weight:

• For bows with draw weights from 10-30 pounds, use Dacron strings with 10-12 strands or Dyneema/Fastflight strings with 12-14 strands.
• For bows with draw weights from 30-40 pounds, use Dacron strings with 14 strands or Dyneema/Fastflight strings with 16 strands.
• For bows with draw weights over 40 pounds, use Dacron strings with 16 strands or Dyneema/Fastflight strings with 18-20 strands.

However, it's worth noting that some archers prefer to use more strands for a thicker string, as this can provide a softer feel and mask release errors. Additionally, thicker strings tend to be more stable and forgiving, which can lead to improved accuracy. On the other hand, using fewer strands can result in a faster response from the limbs and potentially increase arrow speed.

Ultimately, the optimal number of strands for your bowstring may require some experimentation. You can try varying the number of strands between 14 and 18 to see if it makes a difference in performance. Keep in mind that you may need to adjust the centre serving thickness to ensure a proper nock fit.

Bow type

The type of bow you have will determine the type of bowstring you need.

Recurve Bows

Recurve bows are a popular choice for archers, from beginners to professionals. The bowstring you need will depend on the bow's draw weight. For entry-level and beginner recurve bows, a standard bowstring made of durable materials such as B50 Dacron or Dacrogen is suitable. Dacron is a polyester material that is commonly used on beginners' equipment and older bows due to its durability and stretch. It is easy to maintain and can last several years.

For more advanced recurve bows, materials with little to no stretch are used to increase arrow speed. These materials include Vectran, Dyneema, and a blend of the two. Vectran has a higher density and smaller diameter than Dacron, resulting in a faster arrow speed. Dyneema is lighter and faster than Kevlar and has a longer life.

Compound Bows

Compound bows typically use more advanced materials with less stretch for their bowstrings and cables. Materials such as Vectran, Dyneema, and blends of the two are commonly used for compound bows.

Longbows

Longbows typically use bowstrings made of either Dacron (Polyester) or Dyneema/Spectra (HMPE-High Molecular Polyethylene). If your longbow was made before 1990, only use a Dacron bowstring to avoid damage. Dacron is more forgiving on limb tips and string grooves as it elongates on each shot. Dyneema or Fastflight/Spectra bowstrings offer very little creep/stretch and higher arrow speeds on newer bows.

Traditional Bows

Traditional wooden or composite bows typically use natural fibers such as linen, hemp, other vegetable fibers, hair, sinew, silk, and rawhide for their bowstrings. These materials are still effective and are used in many parts of the world, especially where custom string companies are not accessible.

Arrow speed

The IBO (International Bowhunting Organization) specification is used by most professional bows to determine arrow speed. This specification assumes a draw length of 30 inches, a draw weight of 70 pounds, and an arrow weighing 350 grains. Deviating from these parameters will impact the arrow speed.

For example, for every inch of draw length under 30", you would subtract 10 ft/s from the IBO value, and for every inch above 30", you would add 10 ft/s. The weight of the arrow also plays a role, with heavier arrows generally travelling more slowly.

The material of the bowstring also impacts arrow speed. Traditional materials such as linen, hemp, and other vegetable fibres are still effective but modern synthetic fibres are stronger for their weight and less affected by water. Materials like Kevlar and Vectran offer faster arrow speeds than Dacron, a commonly used polyester material. Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylenes, such as Spectra and Dyneema, are even faster and have been used since the 1990s.

The number of strands in the bowstring is also a factor in arrow speed. Generally, a higher number of strands will result in a faster arrow speed, all else being equal.

It is worth noting that while increasing arrow speed may be desirable, it is important to prioritise comfort when stringing the bow.

Frequently asked questions