Ever damage an old bow with Fast-Flite?

Horney Toad · February 03, 2018, 10:06:00 PM

I've heard of old bows being damaged with modern low-stretch strings. Anyone ever have this misfortune? I know some folks do use fast flite with older bows with no problems.

zepnut · February 04, 2018, 07:12:00 AM

To me its not worth the risks.

Gerald Denley · February 04, 2018, 10:44:00 AM

No...have over 20 old recurves with low stretch...Fury and BCY-X...no issues.

Only two bows I ever had blow up had B-50. Should I blame the string?

If they had been fitted with low stretch everyone would have.

We don't know what these bows have been through before we owned them.

Archery_Collector · February 05, 2018, 09:25:00 AM

Maybe, I have an old Martin semi-recurve that started to delaminate near the tip after fast flite usage, I stopped using the bow. of the 150 bows in my collection, I shoot quite a few and now I never use anything but Dacron.

I agree with zep, not worth the risk.

There is no real reason, imho, to use a non-dacron string. If you are trying to get increased speed, just get a modern bow which will gain you more. Dacron strings are readily available today.

Blackhawk · February 05, 2018, 04:36:00 PM

Many of us like to use the non-stretch strings...and not because of speed. I have found the bows to be smoother (without any "bump") and in some cases even quieter. Just make sure the the string nocks are smooth and loops are padded. Of course, if you don't want to risk it, I guess I can't blame you.

I had used only Dacron for years, but real world experience convinced me the risk was minimal if the right care was taken.

Harry · February 15, 2018, 11:40:00 PM

I have had a Shakespeare Necedah and a Groves Spitfire blow the tips off on padded ff.

reddogge · February 16, 2018, 10:04:00 PM

Ask Rich about the Jack Howard he showed me with two parallel lines sawed down 4" from the nocking groove from fast flight string.

Horney Toad · February 17, 2018, 10:45:00 AM

Anyone have pictures of a bow damaged like this?

jimbud · March 04, 2018, 08:07:00 PM

Yeah, Fast flight sucks down the limb right where the string lays in the nock grooves. I ruined my Dad's favorite Hoyt Pro Medalist. Saw several Carroll's, Hoyt's, a Groves, etc. They all had the same damage, the string pulled down into the limb. Some folks say you can build up the string loops but just not worth it to me.

Jon Stewart · March 05, 2018, 09:32:00 AM

Generally people who collect "olde" stuff keep the items period correct. Myself, I am not a fan of trying to fix things that ain't broken, like putting FF strings on 50 year old bows. But that just me. I wouldn't take the chance.