Should i twist my bowstring

One of the first of these, still in some use today mostly on beginner bows , was Dacron polyester. These materials had many advantages over natural materials. Proof against moisture, more forgiving of large temperature swings, and more durable in the case of Dacron.

However some of these also had serious disadvantages, compared to modern Spectra or Dyneema based string materials. Dacron will continually stretch and change over time, while Kevlar will always, eventually, unexpectedly break, seemingly often in the course of a competition.

There are some small differences between the two materials, and in particular, exactly how the fibers are spun, but they are, for the most part, identical.

Practically impervious to many solvents, normal environmental conditions and moisture, the weak point with these materials comes into play at elevated temperatures typically beyond what one can expect to encounter in the course of a competition. The blend helped arrest creep, a permanent stretching condition common on compound riggings made with Dacron or UHMPE cables, until the gradual and inevitable failure of the Vectran component in the string or cable would manifest itself over time.

These issues can be managed by adopting good maintenance procedures and improved string waxes- waxes which lubricate the strands inside the string, slowing the breakdown of the Vectran component. For a compound, this lack of creep produces a longer-lived tune state. Some recurve shooters also like the idea of a creep-free string, despite the fact that one can re-twist a recurve string in a matter of seconds.

The lack of elasticity and the resulting sharp spike in load that takes place every time the bow is shot with these materials can take a toll on limbs and other components. As the blending processes for these materials have improved to address the harshness, a somewhat larger number of shooters have gravitated to these materials.

Even the very finest string materials can be wasted, if certain elements of string construction are overlooked. Well-constructed bowstrings all share a number of key features which enhance performance, durability, and reduce variability over time. One of the most important of these is the consistency of strand tension during construction.

Incorrect or uneven individual strand tension can cause the string to change in unpredictable ways, especially when going from cool to warm conditions. Incorrectly tensioned strands can even cause an imbalance, causing the string to load at different rates from shot to shot. Log in Register. Search titles only. Search Advanced search…. New posts. Search forums.

Log in. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Bowstring with or without twist? Thread starter kinkychinky Start date May 13, A club member noticed that my bowstring does not have any twists in it.

Does it make a difference whether it is twisted or not? I believe the bracing height is currently correct without twists and that adding some twists in the string with alter it slightly increase it I believe. What effects will altering the bracing height have on my shooting?

Is there an ideal bracing height or is this achieved through trial and error? Repeat the procedure as many as it takes until the limb is straight. What is the best recurve bow string? The number of strands varies depending on the length with 12, strands supporting up to 40 lbs, 14 strands supporting 55 pounds, and 16 strands supporting 65 pounds draw weight. What is brace height? Brace height is the distance between the bow's string at rest position and the deepest part of the grip, also called the pivot point or the throat.

Most bows come with a set brace height, but the specific measurement matters more for longbows and recurve bows than for compound bows. How much does it cost to replace a bow string? Again, expect to pay more for better quality services. How long does it take to break in a bow string? Shoot a few arrows before leaving the shop to ensure everything is working properly. New bowstrings have a break-in period of about shots.

After that, you might notice your bow shooting differently. Many compound archers like to personalize their bowstrings with either solid- or multi-colored strings. Before choosing a color and purchasing a new set of strings, you must know your string and cable lengths.

Compound bowstrings come in several parts. The main bowstring and one or more cables connect the cams. After you know your string and cable lengths, you just need to choose your colors.

You can choose one solid color or a multicolored string. This will likely be the toughest part of your purchase because so many great colors are available.

Storing your bow in a climate-controlled setting extends its life by preventing string stretch. If you have a recurve or longbow, remove its string between shooting sessions to extend its life.

Photo Credit: World Archery. Also, regularly apply bowstring wax, which is available at archery stores.