There are three basic types of bowstring materials:
1 – Polyester (“dacron”)
2 – 100% HMPE (Dyneema, Spectra)
3 – HMPE/LCP or other proprietary blends. (Dyneema mixed with other things) – Spoiler Alert! – Most of these are not for single string bows!
#2 and #3 both fall into the “fast flight” category, so you must be careful that your builder only uses the proper types of Fast Flight to maintain your bows warranty as well as your safety while creating the best shooting experience.
String Construction
Strings for single string bows are generally constructed one of two different ways.
Flemish twist Endless Loop
Either can be made from Dacron or Fast Flight, but we do not make a dacron endless loop string because that removes some of the additional elasticity that the material provides.
What string material and construction do I need for my bow?
If you want a string that complies will all major manufacturer’s warranties and provides the most forgiving, quiet, and best performing experience you will want a 100% Dyneema string (or Dacron if your bow is not fast flight compatible).
For Dacron BCY B55 is the best material on the market, there is truly no contest. All Dacron String by TTT Archery use BCY B55
For Fast Flight BCY D97 is the gold standard. It provides the classic, smooth, consistent and forgiving shot feel that most traditional archers are looking for. A second option that is safe for the most modern trad bows is Mercury 2. While Mercury 2 is a combination of SK99 dyneema, and a proprietary fiber and coating that reduces friction, creep, and improves abrasion, we have tested the material and proven that it is safe for most modern equipment. Consult your bowyer for what materials they will warranty.
What is so good about D97?
- D97 is the most abrasion resistant of all 100% Dyneema variants
- This increases the life of your string
- This reduces the risk of cutting a strand from various types of abrasion that a string could experience
- D97 provides the most ideal amount of elasticity in its fibers with SK75 Dyneema
- This creates the quietest string
- This creates a fast string
- This creates the most forgiving string
- Consistency is created by the builder in the construction and stretch procedure of the string.
Why might Mercury 2 be a good option?
- Similar diameter fibers to D97 with a proprietary coating that reduces fuzzing, internal friction, and in some cases can extend string life.
- Offers a crisp, snappy, and performance‑oriented feel. Feels more “aggressive” on release for archers that like that type of shot or are shooting limbs that gain lower pounds per inch than standard profile limbs (Super Curves)
For construction we suggest that bows 64″ and under will typically perform best with a Flemish string. Bows 66″ AMO will perform equally with either construction style, and bows 68″ and longer will generally benefit from an endless loop string.
A word of CAUTION ——–>
Only Dacron and 100% HMPE materials are completely safe choices for a Single String Bow!
Blended String materials or Strings that have HMPE and other things mixed together are typically not safe for use on a Single String Bow! If you are using these materials, you are using a less forgiving, louder, and harsher material that is sending the bow to an early grave. These materials include 452, X-99, 450, Bloodline (both types are actually blended). I would also caution shooters when using the newer types of materials that leverage Sk99 dyneema. This is a stronger type of dyneema that reduces the elasticity of a finished string and its only completely safe to use with the most modern traditional equipment. ILF Bows and some modern wood bows can handle these materials without issue. These materials include Mercury and Mercury 2. Consult your bowyer for the materials they support. All modern bowyers should support one of the three materials we provide.
Hi, I just purchased a Vantage Point 15” riser with Bosen Double Carbon Foam limbs. 62” AMO and this will primarily be a hunting bow. I would like your opinion on which string I should purchase, B55 or D97? I look forward to hearing from you, Thank you
Eric R Lobell
Hi Eric thanks for reaching out. You will want to use our custom form and order a Flemish, Fast flight string. Use the AMO bow length but be aware your bow does require a 1/2″ longer than AMO spec string. Make sure you choose ILF as the first option so we can collect your riser and limb information, and we will make the adjustment automatically.
https://tttarchery.com/product/bow-strings-made-to-order/
Hi , I’m in the UK and trying to get d97 is like a needle in a haystack, I’ve came across dynagen and wondering if I can get by with that or if it’s the same thing or just simaler? .
Thanks in advance
Wullie
Hi William, i did some research on it and I can confirm it appears to be 100% SK75 dyneema so that would be the same as D97. However I cant find anything on the actual diameter so I dont know how many strands to tell you to use. I would try 14-16 and just see how it goes.
Trevor
TTT Archery
Thanks man, I’ll give it a try
D97 and 8125 both use the same dyneema yarn. I tend to use D97 since it is cheaper and I don’t find any real difference in performance. When I hear the term Fast Flight I think of SPECTRA rather than Dyneema, I find it to be slightly softer feeling than D97 and use if for indoor strings, Many of the Korean olympic stars use Spectra for that reason, I am curious as to your views on sprectra and 8125
Hi Jim, 8125 is a great material but its lacking in 2 areas. Because it requires a couple more strands than D97 to make the same string diameter, it carries a lower overall elasticity. Not a big deal on longer strings for barebow and Olympic recurve, but i find on the shorter hunting length bows 56-64″ its starting to go the wrong direction. I prefer something softer. Also due to the thinner strands its significantly lower abrasion resistance. A majority of our customer base throws their bow in the car, takes it in the woods. They dont all have nice cases and things as you would see in the barebow community. So the D97 softer and tougher serves them better. I tried the Spectra a few years back and I actually find that to be too soft. Also I remember a specific test on my 68″ longbow I lost 5fps over D97. So its probably ok for shorter bows or for fixed distance shooting where a few FPS wont matter you could build up strand count. Spectra also carries a lower abrasion resistance. D97 and M2 seem to cover the spectrum of optimal elasticity and highest abrasion resistance for me.
glad I asked-I never heard that about 8125 v D97-I have heard some claim 8125 is better since you get a rounder string or that 18/20 strands of 8125 is stronger than 14/16 strands of D97/ Losing speed with spectra is something I have seen for sure, Thanks
Doesn’t say what size string on my takedown bowl it’s a Hoyt, but I measured the string is 58 buck.. I need a string for this bow.Do you measure it from one end of the string to the other end to determine the length of the string?
I need two strings
Hi Scott, Hoyt Buffalo and Satori risers are all built 3/4″ longer than the AMO Standard would require. So you need a custom length string. All you need to do is put your AMO bow length in the custom order form on the website and we will automatically make the adjustment for you. If you are getting a Fast flight flemish its 57.25″ for 60AMO or 59.25″ for 62AMO.
https://tttarchery.com/product/bow-strings-made-to-order/