How To Prepare Your Recurve String To Shoot

[@OnlineArcheryAcademy]

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[@tomszájer]

I tried and mixed several different materials. For recurve bows, the best ones that have worked are 8125, 652 and Force 10. These are not mixed fibers. In most cases, 20 and 30 twists were ideal. But even if it is 40, there is no need to panic, as long as there is no more than 1"/1 twisting, it does not cause drastic changes. Since I have already made at least 20,000 strings, I have a little practice, but I still manage to find something new, especially when it has to be done for a compound bow. Which can be important! There are some materials that should not be waxed! Such are some types of Angel and Bloodline. If you have to wax, you should only work it in with your hands first, so you can feel it when it warms up. When I have this, I wrap a thin strip of skin around it, or a cord and shape it into a cylinder, this also removes the excess wax. This must be done slowly! After that, the center serving comes up. It is important that the raw material is firm and not replaced by the serving tension!Then I increase the tension, reshape the string if necessary and leave it like this for at least a day. Then the string will be stable. This way, with each application, the height of the ajja only needs to be increased by 2 millimeters, which takes on the correct size after 5-10 shots, and then lasts the whole day.

[@user-xt4hr1ji6u]

For indoor, 28 strands Mercury. 41+lb bow, 68". XBusters. Shoots really good. Outdoors I swap to 26 strands. ACEs. Great noise absorption from higher strand count. Fairly fast so therefore quite forgiving.

[@kenmastervn]

Angel 777 18 strands, 68” bow ! Very smooth 👍

[@OnlineArcheryAcademy]

Nice! Sounds like I need to try some Angel, quite popular in the comments here!

[@andrewowen3235]

Ive shot 8125g with 18 and 20 strands. Also shot 8190 as an indoor string loved that 😎

[@bengteriksson8000]

BCY 652 Spectra, 20 strands, 20-30 twists, 70” bow.

[@OnlineArcheryAcademy]

Love it! I need to try the 652 again!

[@dangsportsactivitiesarcher4994]

Sir, please make a video on 9 stap in Archery and full details

[@OnlineArcheryAcademy]

Hey Jitu! I'll put it on the list - so you'd like a video on the stages of the archery shot and going through all of them in full detail?

[@WildlifeKit]

Brownell Fury and BCY8190. I find both the same. Very Low creep. Use 24-26 strands with 0.019” centre serving and large groove Easton Pin Nocks. At 26 strands after initial stretch brace heights don’t change

[@karlhajda8040]

mine is 8125 G 16 strand 0n a 70" had to have the center serving changed to accept easton small g nocks on ACEs which are smaller than the other small G nocks on ACCs

[@malditomigue]

Dynaflight 97 12 strands, Brownell N4 serving flemish string on a Longbow.

[@OnlineArcheryAcademy]

Interesting! What do you normally do to get the string ready for shooting like above? I imagine rain has even a bigger impact with Longbow!

[@malditomigue]

@@OnlineArcheryAcademy I use natural bee's wax. Rub a little with My fingers to keep the strands together. I never shooted under heavy rain, but I did under light rain. The problem is with the arrows when the feathers get wet, but my friends at Gateway Feathers have a Magic powder that keep the water away.

[@omarelboussouni1033]

Hi Ashe, I use BCY 8125G/ 20 strands/ 70 inch

[@OnlineArcheryAcademy]

Awesome! Strong choice!

[@chrisbowman2030]

Brownell Fast Flight + 20 Strands on my 42 lbs, 60" Hunting Recurve, or 24 Strands if BCY 452X, both with 18-24 twists (this is the bow i shoot actually, others may vary) - I've been building all my strings for years. I pre-stretch the strings with ca. 200 lbs for 24 h. After that, the string is stable after 30-50 shots and brace height won't change anymore. I would always recommend to rub the string with bare fingers, not with a cloth or leather. If it gets to hot, you may damage and fray the fibers.

[@OnlineArcheryAcademy]

That's a great point about using your fingers instead - I'll try that next time instead of the leather!

[@rijodel]

Hi Ashe. BCY 8125G 16 strands, 37 lbs for outdoor and BCY 652, 18 strands, 34 lbs for indoor, WW X-prime limbs.

[@OnlineArcheryAcademy]

Nice - strong choice with the 8125G. I love those limbs!

[@nigelh8985]

What are your thoughts on string storage? I’ve been clipping the ends, to keep the twist count, then folding it back into the original bag. This leaves separation and fluffing at each fold. Is there a better way?

[@OnlineArcheryAcademy]

Good question Nigel - like you I've always wanted a way that doesn't have the folds, but yet to find it! I've also settled on exactly the same way you do it - so hopefully that makes you feel a little better even if it doesn't solve the problem 😂

[@lordcarnorjax8599]

BCY 8125, 16 strands, Angel Majesty centre serving, BCY 3D end serving, 67" to suit 70" bow.

[@OnlineArcheryAcademy]

That's a strong combo - I've not used the 3D for servings. What made you choose that material out of interest?

[@lordcarnorjax8599]

@@OnlineArcheryAcademy That was what the string builder recommended as I didn’t make it myself. Ken from Slick Performance Strings, who I bought the string from, makes strings for some of the Australian Olympic team archers and other top level Australian archers so just went with his recommendations as my previous string was a cheap Cartel branded fast flight string. I’d bought a WNS branded string for my daughter when she changed limb length a few months prior to me buying a new string and I wasn’t impressed with that string at all. The centre serving is quite short and that the end loops are almost the same size so she’s marked the end so she knows which is which. I wanted to try a 8125 string, building my own strings doesn’t really interest me yet and there wasn’t a lot around off the shelf at that time either so went with the Slick string and pretty happy with it overall. I might get another string built with different materials to see what I think of different materials.

[@KellyAtkinson0]

My local pro shop in Auckland also uses 3D for end servings. They turn out well for me!

[@giancarlodegasperis]

14stands 8125G, around 25 twists for a 68"/32# bow ( 30# @ 26.5" DL)

[@andreaslorenz7342]

Bcy Mercury, 18 strands or 28 strands flemish, depends on my mood. The 28 strand is surprisingly fastest than the 18 strand on my 32# barebow. Both got halo centerserving.

[@OnlineArcheryAcademy]

Nice! Haha a string depending on how you feel - I like it!

[@sonjakilb6832]

Hi Coach, nice video again:) and nice new hair cut:). BCY 8125, 16 strands, 25 twists, 36#, 68".164 cm long for Xceed Hoyt. I had problems to find the right lenght of the string, because the common strings you can buy were all too long... How do you notice that the string is too "old" and you need a new one?

[@OnlineArcheryAcademy]

Thanks Sonja! Haha cheers 💇‍♂️ That's a good question about the age of the string - 'fluffiness' is a good way to check, but more important is looking at group size, tuning and the sound of the string. It can start sounding a bit 'buzzy' and group size can suffer. Another 'measure' you can do is to estimate based on the amount of arrows you shoot. If you're looking at an ideal case scenario, I'd say a new string every 10,000 arrows is good to aim for :)

[@sonjakilb6832]

@@OnlineArcheryAcademy Thanks 👍

[@kreshwararcher9598]

BCY 8125 ,18 stands, 70 Inch bow

[@OnlineArcheryAcademy]

Nice - popular choice! Did you already prepare your strings like in the video?

[@kreshwararcher9598]

@@OnlineArcheryAcademy no ashe , this is a new string , I will follow your steps 😀🎉❤️

[@harryvandevondervoort5695]

8125G 18 strands on 72" setup 38# otf at 31,5" DL

[@OnlineArcheryAcademy]

Nice - seems like 8125G wins the popularity vote for sure!

[@mmmmbeeeeer]

24 strands of brownell fury and angel majesty serving

[@gertjanfiechter4079]

BCY 18 strands 170.06cm

[@bluechiparcherychippycarpe2780]

8125 18 strands,now trialing Bloodline string from Reign Bowstrings,100% dyneema ,28 strands which are teflon coated 😃

[@OnlineArcheryAcademy]

Interesting - not heard of Bloodline! I'd definitely not be afraid of giving a spectra based one a try if you get the chance, such as BCY 652 or the Brownell FF+, and I think the Angel majesty.

[@bluechiparcherychippycarpe2780]

@@OnlineArcheryAcademy yeh it's a new product that Simon Scott is using ,used it my compound and liked it ,it's great on the recurve too,nice and punchy feel to the shot and follow through ,and it's made exceptionally well,ie nock fit was absolutely perfect for the nocks I use on the X10 s 😃😷

[@mplovecraft]

BCY8125 already made, but I would be interested in making my own. It's a bit expensive with the tools and material considering I will likely need to practice a lot before I can make a string I'm happy with. And then I can probably use it for a year and when it's showing it's age I might be able to repair the serving and ends. It will be a long time before I see a profit unless I start making strings for the whole club.

[@chrisnoble662]

Spectra, switched from 8125 found it less harsh and longer lasting - 8125 always seems to go ‘fluffy’

[@OnlineArcheryAcademy]

I found the same with the 8125 Chris! Was that with the 'non-G' or the 8125G?

[@OnlineArcheryAcademy]

Very true about the cost of making your own! There will be a fair few before you get a good one too, as it's a bit fiddly to say the least

[@davidr8309]

Angel Majesty Pro 16 strand continuous loop. 20 to 30 twists Angel Majesty ASB serving

[@OnlineArcheryAcademy]

Nice! What do you mean by the 16 strand continuous loop?

[@davidr8309]

@@OnlineArcheryAcademy continuous loop is the construction, you either have a continuous loop string or a Flemish twist. After building the string there are 16 strands running one end to the other. I have made them with as few as 12 or as many as 20 depending on the application.

[@foxbow90]

Grey Angel majesty 18strand

[@2mklein]

Last 3 strings were 8125 though I have a 652 haven’t tried yet

[@OnlineArcheryAcademy]

Nice! Would be interesting to hear your thoughts on 652 vs 8125 - I tried the 652 a while back but can't remember how it is!

[@2mklein]

@@OnlineArcheryAcademy heard it was softer though my concern is it will change my tune and I won’t like that, maybe I’ll try soon just to continue this conversation

[@2mklein]

@@OnlineArcheryAcademy been shooting with new 652 string for about a week now, love it , hard to describe why but it feels great

[@b12khx89]

Used to shoot 8125G...switched back to FF+

[@mplovecraft]

What was the difference for you?

[@b12khx89]

@@mplovecraft FF+ is a little bit quieter, whether this was an actual side effect and not some placebo I don't know.... Can't tell the difference in speed... If I want more speed I shoot a lighter arrow... Don't have an issue reaching 90m with 45# with my current setup I guess the only real difference is durability... The 8125G doesn't fuzz much and holds colour better... The nitro strings I've never had any problems with, however I bought a more expensive custom made 8125G that was a pain... It took forever to settle and the endloops started to show separation a lot quicker... He must have had something else on his mind Also buying off the shelf FF+ is black or white.... If you want to colour match then 8125G is the way to go

[@OnlineArcheryAcademy]

Interesting - completely agree about the sound. I definitely found FF+ quieter - albeit a bit less noticeable on a Hoyt compared to a W&W. I actually found my 8125G fuzzed a bit quicker than the FF+, but that's interesting to hear you had the other way around, maybe it was just the spools I had!

[@b12khx89]

@@OnlineArcheryAcademy I think the majority of my fuzziness came from string contact, either rubbing on my leg/waist during nocking or contact with my chest guard... Which was why I switched to 8125,apparently it fuzzed less... As I've progressed I now nock with the bow on my foot and have hardly any chest contact... I think my FF+ strings now don't fuzz and the white strings don't pick up as much dirt

[@mplovecraft]

@@b12khx89 I'll try FF+ next time and see how I like it. I wouldn't mind if it made as little noise as possible :)

[@krzysztofcierpka5523]

BCY 8125

[@ryrymustardseed3970]

Nice pointers. I was rubbing it too hard and fast.

[@OnlineArcheryAcademy]

🤔

[@ryrymustardseed3970]

Online Archery Academy 🤣

[@philipyokiel3674]

Angel 777

[@windyblower1211]

25m dental floss.

[@johnshort4421]

How or why are you titling this as “Getting your string shooting ready’ when you say that you need to shoot in for hundreds of shots first? I have not seen anyone else broaching this subject so I am wondering about the validity of these actions. Really, when all these things are done, does it really keep the arrows on target better? I am thinking not, and would like to see comparison shots out of same bow with these techniques performed and on one where they haven’t. Seems a big bit of wasted effort that doesn’t bring the “bang for the buck’ results.