Bow Strings

[Stick'em]

What makes a custom string better then a factory string? I just took my factory string off my Hoyt Gamemaster and put on a Dyna 97 12 strand from Tradmall.

[Bob Gordon]

The typical factory string is usually a one string fits all kind of string. I had a Gamemaster here last week for some work, it had the factory string and had 45 lb limbs. It was a real piece of rope! To get the proper brace height it had to be twisted up so far it turned into a bunch on knots when unstrung. On a (most) factory strings they go nuts with a serving tool. The center serving is usually three inches to long, end servings two inches to long and that adds a lot of speed killing weight where it's not needed. Also if you order a 35 lb bow or a 75 lb bow it will have the same amount of strands in the string and will have a real lousy nock fit. Custom bows are usually not like that, they come with a semi-custom string. When you order a hand made custom string you get just what you ordered, right amount of strands for your weight of bow, the right size servings, the string materal of your choice and a string that you will be proud of and will enhance the looks and performance of your pride and joy, go custom and save the factory rope for a spare....warf

[tuffshot]

Not all, but some so called custom string makers are also as Bob discribed one size fits most strings makers. They have a limited supply of string material and use it for every type of application. I bought an old bow off of ebay and he said it had a custom string on it. The bow was only 43 pounds and had at least a 18 strand dacron string on it. The loops were so big they would barely stay on the limb tips. The previous owner said he couldn't hit anything with it and when I told him why he said he never thought about the string.

Bowstring making is just another art form that has developed out of neccessity from the ever more demanding archer and we are in luck, this is one of the best places to get one. :)

[Papabull]

Pretty much what the other guys said. It's pretty near impossible to stock all the potential string configurations that would be necessary to outfit the average bow with a string that would let the archer get the most out his bow. If an off-the-shelf string can even provide fair performance, it's a pretty unusual situtation. It would be like getting a single size and make of retread tire no matter what kind of vehicle you drive. The best you can hope for is they'll actually fit, which will at least let the vehicle roll down the road for you.

With a custom string, you can have the best of materials (you'll never get that in an off-the-shelf-string). You get a custom fit and finish, you get the diameter and configuration that will best suit your ideals and preferences. And you can have any number of tweaks or design options that are completely unavailable any other way.

The reason I started making strings years ago was because I found it absolutely impossible to find strings that I was happy with at any price. Once I began building my owns strings to compete and hunt with, I started researching and testing and experimenting with things to what is probably an obsessive level. But I can tell you for sure that the difference between a custom string and a factory string is a whole lot more than just a few more color choices. :)

[bowshooter74]

im glad you did Papa Bull becuase your string s are awsome :cheers: