What’s the Best Recurve Bowstring?

If you are looking to restring your old recurve bow, or maybe you just bought a newer recurve bow (check out our best recurve bow picks) that did not come with a string, then you may need some advice. There are many different types of bowstrings on the market. From materials like Dacron and Fast Flight to Flemish Twist and endless loop bowstring types, it can be a bit confusing. 

When selecting a new bowstring for your recurve bow, you must know the draw weight of your bow, and what kind of string it is compatible with. For example, some older wooden and more traditional bows may not stand up to the shock released from a Fast Flight bowstring. Or your youth bow may not be able to handle a 14 strand B-55 Dracon bowstring. If you just got a little lost, do not worry. In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about bowstrings before making a purchase.

In addition to explaining everything you need to know about bowstrings, we are going to give you our top recurve bowstrings on the market today. So, sit back, and get ready to learn everything there is to know about bowstrings.

Main String, Center Serving, Loop and End Servings

Main String: The main string, or bowstring, joins the two ends of the bow together and launches the arrow. Traditional main strings were made from linens, hemp, silk, and rawhide. Modern bowstrings are made from Dacron, Kevlar, Spectra, and Dyneema. We will explore our favorite string materials later in the article. As for the main types of bowstrings, we have simple strings, reverse-twisted strings, and looped strings.  

Center Serving: The center serving on a bowstring is the use of additional thread wrapped around the main string at the nocking points where abrasion is likely to occur. You can purchase bowstrings pre-served or you can tie your own center serving.

Before you can tie your center serving, make sure you have the correct bowstring and nock combination. Having the correct combination will not only provide some forgiveness with your shots, but it is a safety issue as well. Click here to see a complete chart of safe and recommended bowstring and nock fit combinations from our friends at the Online Archery Academy. 

To tie a center serving first prepare the bowstring by giving it 15-20 twists, applying a light layer of wax, and polishing the bowstring with some leather. Next, remove any excess wax that may have clumped up during application and mark on the string where you want the center serving to start and finish. Now you are ready to begin tying your center serving. For in-depth step by step instructions on how to tie your center serving, visit our friends at the Online Archery Academy.

Loop and End Servings: The loop and end servings again consist of additional thread designed to protect the bowstring from wear and tear on the ends where the bowstring connects to the limbs. You can purchase bowstrings that are pre-served on the ends or again, you can tie your own. If you would like to tie your own see bleow.

Bow String Materials

Bows traditionally were strung from animal hide, linens, silk, and hemp but today we have a plethora of modern materials available. Of all the materials available today, our three favorites are Dacron, 652 Fast Flight, and Dyneema. Here is a breakdown of each string material.

Dacron 

Dacron is a polyester material that is durable and stretchable. Dacron comes in a 50 and 55-pound option with a 2.6% stretch. This polyester-based material is used on beginner’s equipment, wooden bows, and older bows because the stretchability of Dacron causes less shock on the bow when fired. Dacron strings are low-maintenance and will last several years before needing to be replaced. 

652 Fast Flight

652 Fast Flight bowstring material is measured at 100-pound tension and is generally available in sizes ranging from 45” to 70”. Recurve 652 Fast Flight bowstrings come with a 1-3/4” top loop and a 1-1/4” bottom loop. These strings are long-lasting and come in dozens of different colors.

Dyneema

Dyneema is an ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene. Dyneema strings come in a 100-pound option that has a 1% stretch. These strings are light and have an incredibly long life. It is suggested to not use Dyneema on wooden bows and instead use them on fiberglass and composite bows. The low stretch on these strings will create more shock on the bow when shot. 

AMO and Actual Lengths – What String Length Do I Need?

The acronym AMO stands for Archery Manufacturers Organization. This organization created a set of standards for bow manufacturing including AMO bow length. This helps keep consistency between bow manufacturers and bowstring manufacturers. Each AMO bow length has a corresponding string length. AMO bow lengths are their correct string and serving setups are displayed in this graphic below.

How Many Strands Should I Choose?

Before you decide how many strands your bowstring should be, make sure you know what pound draw weight your bow has. The number of strands depends on the material type of the bowstring and the draw weight of your bow. Let us take a standard B50 Dacron string as an example. 

If your bow has a draw weight less than 30lbs, usually a beginner bow or a youth bow, then a 10-strand bowstring will be needed. 

For bows with a draw weight of up to 40lbs, a 12-strand B50 Dacron string will do. This is also the most common strand size used by everyone from beginners to avid hunters and competitive target shooters. 

For bows with a draw weight heavier than 40lbs, a 14-strand B50 Dacron will suffice. A 14-strand bowstring will provide less distance, but it will make shooting more consistent and act as a sort of dampener when shot. 

What Is a Fast Flight Bowstring?

Fast Flight bowstrings have the least amount of stretch available. Less stretch means more energy is transferred to the arrow on release. This does cause more shock to the bow and Fast Flight bowstrings should not be used with older bows and bows that are only made from wood. 

The worst thing that could happen is your bow could have a tip tear off, or a split may occur in the wood. The least bad thing could be that you have a nock break. No matter what, always make sure your bow manufacturer explicitly states that your bow is compatible with Fast Flight bowstrings. 

What Is a Flemish Twist Bowstring?

A Flemish Twist bowstring is a beautiful and traditional form of a bowstring. A Flemish Twist has braided loops on each end of the bowstring. You can purchase bowstrings with a premade Flemish Twist in the string or you can make your own. If you would like to make your own, check out this interesting video.

Can You Make Your Own Bow String?

The short answer is yes! You for sure can make your own bowstrings. It is not that difficult to do if you follow the instructions carefully, however, it does require the purchase of some equipment to assist in the string making process. 

The two pieces of equipment you will need to purchase to make your own bowstrings are a bowstring jig and a string serving jig. You can find these pieces of equipment available in most pro-shops and dealers. You can also build your own bowstring jig if you really are motivated. 

In addition to the jigs, you will need the bowstring material and the serving material. Make sure the bowstring material you choose is compatible with your recurve bow. 

Once you have all the equipment and materials you need, you can go ahead and begin to make your own bowstrings. For a step by step guide for making your own bowstrings brought to you by the Moorabbin Archery Club, check out this website.

Recurve Bowstring Reviews

Deerseeker Dacron

Legend Propel Recurve Bowstring

SAS B55

SAS Fast Flight

First String Recurve Bow String

Milaem Dyneema Raw Material