Notes on Bowstring Material for Olympic Style Recurve Shooters

Introduction

• Speaker: Jake Kaminski, two-time Olympic silver medalist in archery
• Purpose: To discuss preferred bowstring material for top-tier Olympic recurve shooters, answer common questions about bowstrings.

Channel Information

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Bowstring Material Basics

• Focus on:
  • Number of strands used based on bow weight
  • Recommended materials for Olympic recurve shooters
  • Properties and performance of various bowstrings

Recommended Manufacturer

• BCY Bowstrings and Fibers
• Known for quality string materials.

Properties of Bowstrings

• Soft Bowstrings:

  • Less residual vibration and harshness
  • Lower stress on limbs
  • Good feedback without masking bad shots

• Stiff Bowstrings:

  • Higher stress on limbs
  • Can cause damage over time
  • Example: 52X - high performance but not suitable for recurve due to harshness.

Bowstring Types and Materials

• 52X:

  • Very stiff, no creep, not recommended for recurve.

• 8125 and Mercury:

  • Both made from Dyneema
  • Mercury is thinner, may provide better performance.
  • 8125 may be phased out in favor of Mercury.

• 650:

  • Fast flight material, 100% spectra, used by many Korean archers.
  • Offers distinct sound and performance characteristics.

Performance Comparison

• Spectra vs. Dyneema:
  • Spectra has more stretch and elasticity, better for durability.
  • Dyneema may fuzz more but is also effective.
  • Spectra may require more frequent replacement due to wear.

Recommended Strand Count

• For Bow Weights:

  • 40 lb+: 20 strands
  • 40 lb: 18 strands
  • Youth archers: 16 strands (no performance gain).

• Material Considerations:

  • 8125 and 652: 18-20 strands recommended
  • Mercury: 32-36 strands recommended due to thinner diameter.

Conclusion

• Importance of strand count and material choice for bow performance and longevity.
• Preference for 650 bowstring for improved feel and delivery of arrows.

Closing

• Thank you to Patreon supporters.
• Mention of resources available on Jay Kaminski's website.