Bowstring Material
We primarily use Dyneema® HMPE or Spectra 1000, and Vectran for creep resistance. We sell through dealers and distributors. We do not make finished bowstrings.
452Xtra Bowstring
67% Dyneema®, 33% Vectran (Patented construction). Now with new, high abrasion resistant Vectran which means less fraying in use. Available in all colors. No creep, completely stable. Same size, strength etc. as 452X, just better.
Recommended strands: 20-24 for Compound Bows
Approximate feet per pound waxed: 8,800
Spool sizes: 1/8 lb., 1/4 lb., or 1 lb.
67% Dyneema®, 33% Vectran (Patented construction). Now with new, high abrasion resistant Vectran which means less fraying in use. Available in all colors. No creep, completely stable. Same size, strength etc. as 452X, just better.
Recommended strands: 20-24 for Compound Bows
Approximate feet per pound waxed: 8,800
Spool sizes: 1/8 lb., 1/4 lb., or 1 lb.
X-99® Bowstring
80% SK99 Highest Quality Dyneema - 20% Vectran. Please note that applying too much tension can be detrimental to some bowstring material, in particular X99. Being a smaller diameter, it does not need as much tension as 452Xtra. No more than 150 lbs is recommended for X99. Good for Compound Bows and Recurves. Only available in solid colors.
Approximate feet per pound waxed: 11,000
Spool sizes: 1/8 lb., 1/4 lb., or 1 lb.
80% SK99 Highest Quality Dyneema - 20% Vectran. Please note that applying too much tension can be detrimental to some bowstring material, in particular X99. Being a smaller diameter, it does not need as much tension as 452Xtra. No more than 150 lbs is recommended for X99. Good for Compound Bows and Recurves. Only available in solid colors.
- No Creep
- Good Arrow Speed
- Low fuzziness
- High abrasion resistance
- Patented Construction
Approximate feet per pound waxed: 11,000
Spool sizes: 1/8 lb., 1/4 lb., or 1 lb.
Mercury Bowstring
Recommended strands: 32-34 for compounds, 2 or 4 less for recurves
Approximate feet per pound waxed: 13,000
Spool sizes: 1/8 lb., 1/4 lb., or 1 lb.
- Made 100% from the #1 quality Dyneema fiber - SK99
- Low Creep
- Smaller diameter for a smoother, rounder string
- Higher strength, high durability
Recommended strands: 32-34 for compounds, 2 or 4 less for recurves
Approximate feet per pound waxed: 13,000
Spool sizes: 1/8 lb., 1/4 lb., or 1 lb.
Mercury 2 Bowstring
Recommended strands: 14/16
Approximate feet per pound waxed: 6,500
Spool sizes: 1/8 lb., 1/4 lb., or 1 lb.
- A larger version of the popular Mercury material
- Highest Strength Dyneema
- Very low creep
- Good for Crossbows and Compounds
- Alternate for Force10
Recommended strands: 14/16
Approximate feet per pound waxed: 6,500
Spool sizes: 1/8 lb., 1/4 lb., or 1 lb.
8125® Bowstring
100% SK75 Dyneema® fiber. High speed and durability; preferred by some compound shooters - particularly 3D. Also the choice of Olympic style recurve shooters worldwide. Available in all colors.
Recommended strands: 18-22
Approximate feet per pound waxed: 8,200
Spool sizes: 1/8 lb., 1/4 lb., or 1 lb.
100% SK75 Dyneema® fiber. High speed and durability; preferred by some compound shooters - particularly 3D. Also the choice of Olympic style recurve shooters worldwide. Available in all colors.
Recommended strands: 18-22
Approximate feet per pound waxed: 8,200
Spool sizes: 1/8 lb., 1/4 lb., or 1 lb.
DynaFLIGHT 97® Bowstring
The original high strength Dyneema® bowstring - 100% SK 75; very durable, low creep. Used for Crossbows, Compounds, Recurves and Youth Bows. Only available in solid colors.
Recommended strands: 14-16
Approximate feet per pound waxed: 6,700
Spool sizes: 1/8 lb., 1/4 lb., or 1 lb.
The original high strength Dyneema® bowstring - 100% SK 75; very durable, low creep. Used for Crossbows, Compounds, Recurves and Youth Bows. Only available in solid colors.
Recommended strands: 14-16
Approximate feet per pound waxed: 6,700
Spool sizes: 1/8 lb., 1/4 lb., or 1 lb.
450 Plus Bowstring
The original Dyneema® / Vectran blend. No creep; expect consistency and no peep rotation. A good option for compound cables. Available in some solid colors.
Recommended strands: 12
Approximate feet per pound waxed: 4,500
Spool sizes: 1/4 lb., or 1 lb.
The original Dyneema® / Vectran blend. No creep; expect consistency and no peep rotation. A good option for compound cables. Available in some solid colors.
Recommended strands: 12
Approximate feet per pound waxed: 4,500
Spool sizes: 1/4 lb., or 1 lb.
652 Spectra Bowstring
Spectra bowstring, same as the original Fast FlightTM - still the choice of many recurve shooters worldwide. Only available in solid colors.
Recommended strands: 18-22
Approximate feet per pound waxed: 8,200
Spool sizes: 1/8 lb., 1/4 lb., or 1 lb.
Spectra bowstring, same as the original Fast FlightTM - still the choice of many recurve shooters worldwide. Only available in solid colors.
Recommended strands: 18-22
Approximate feet per pound waxed: 8,200
Spool sizes: 1/8 lb., 1/4 lb., or 1 lb.
B55 Bowstring
100% polyester similar to Dacron but with better durability and very low stretch. Primarily used for recurves, but also used on older compound crossbows and traditional bows without reinforced limb tips. Only available in solid colors.
Recommended strands: 12-16 for recurves
Approximate feet per pound waxed: 4,300
Spool sizes: 1/4 lb., or 1 lb.
100% polyester similar to Dacron but with better durability and very low stretch. Primarily used for recurves, but also used on older compound crossbows and traditional bows without reinforced limb tips. Only available in solid colors.
Recommended strands: 12-16 for recurves
Approximate feet per pound waxed: 4,300
Spool sizes: 1/4 lb., or 1 lb.
Colors available: A range of colors is available for all materials - please see our Bowstring Color Chart. You can also download a pdf version.
Bowstring Specifications: We show the approximate feet per pound, so string makers can get an idea of how many finished strings can be built from a spool. Due to variables in the manufacturing process, we cannot guarantee exact lengths, particularly in fluorescent colors.
Breaking Strengths: We no longer publish breaking strengths because discrepancies occur, due to different test methods. We will provide minimum breaking strength information upon request. It should be noted that all our materials far exceed the strength required to perform satisfactorily as a bowstring material.
Bowstring Diameter / Recommended Number of Strands: All bowstring material is relatively flat in a single strand, so it is not appropriate to publish a diameter of the individual strand. The important issue is how many strands are required to give a satisfactory nock fit, which is what our recommendations show. These numbers can vary according to nock type / size and personal preference. Recommended strands are for typical modern compound bows. Plus or minus two strands is normal. Recurve bows normally use two fewer strands.
BCY manufactures and supplies products in accordance with these specifications. If used correctly, the material will serve the purpose for which it was intended - a bowstring or a serving material. All products we manufacture are extensively tested. We offer a full range of material for the archery market. There are many variables which can significantly affect performance of the bowstring material. Some examples include: Number of strands and twists, type of serving material, tightness of serving material, width of cam grooves on bow, amount of lubrication, type of release, condition of cam wheel, yoke system on cables, degree of string maintenance. As BCY cannot control these variables, BCY cannot accept responsibility for problems arising from strings, cables or servings.
8125, 452Xtra, DynaFLIGHT 97, and X-99 are registered trademarks of BCY
Dyneema is a registered trademark of DSM
Dacron was a registered trademark of Dupont
Fast Flight was a registered trademark of Brownell & Co.
Bowstring Specifications: We show the approximate feet per pound, so string makers can get an idea of how many finished strings can be built from a spool. Due to variables in the manufacturing process, we cannot guarantee exact lengths, particularly in fluorescent colors.
Breaking Strengths: We no longer publish breaking strengths because discrepancies occur, due to different test methods. We will provide minimum breaking strength information upon request. It should be noted that all our materials far exceed the strength required to perform satisfactorily as a bowstring material.
Bowstring Diameter / Recommended Number of Strands: All bowstring material is relatively flat in a single strand, so it is not appropriate to publish a diameter of the individual strand. The important issue is how many strands are required to give a satisfactory nock fit, which is what our recommendations show. These numbers can vary according to nock type / size and personal preference. Recommended strands are for typical modern compound bows. Plus or minus two strands is normal. Recurve bows normally use two fewer strands.
BCY manufactures and supplies products in accordance with these specifications. If used correctly, the material will serve the purpose for which it was intended - a bowstring or a serving material. All products we manufacture are extensively tested. We offer a full range of material for the archery market. There are many variables which can significantly affect performance of the bowstring material. Some examples include: Number of strands and twists, type of serving material, tightness of serving material, width of cam grooves on bow, amount of lubrication, type of release, condition of cam wheel, yoke system on cables, degree of string maintenance. As BCY cannot control these variables, BCY cannot accept responsibility for problems arising from strings, cables or servings.
8125, 452Xtra, DynaFLIGHT 97, and X-99 are registered trademarks of BCY
Dyneema is a registered trademark of DSM
Dacron was a registered trademark of Dupont
Fast Flight was a registered trademark of Brownell & Co.
BCY Bowstring
155 Industrial Park Road
Middletown CT 06457
USA
155 Industrial Park Road
Middletown CT 06457
USA
Telephone: (860) 632 - 7115
