Bow Strings

The bowstring transfers the entire energy of your shot to the arrow and therefore has a direct influence on speed, precision and shooting behaviour. At BogenSportWelt you will find ready-made bowstrings for recurve, longbow and compound as well as material for making your own. Invest in the right bowstring and feel the difference with every shot.

The Bowstring: The Heart of Your Bow

No component transfers energy more directly to the arrow than the bowstring. It is the critical link between the stored power of your limbs and the moment your arrow reaches its target. Whether you shoot a traditional longbow, a recurve, or a high-tech compound bow, the quality of your string has a direct impact on your accuracy, shooting comfort, and the longevity of your equipment. At BogenSportWelt.de you will find everything related to archery strings, from ready-made standard strings to custom-built options and all the supplies you need to make your own.

Materials and Construction of Modern Bowstrings

Modern bowstrings are made from high-tenacity synthetic fibres that differ significantly in their properties. The most widely known entry-level material is Dacron (B50), a polyester yarn with comparatively high elasticity. This stretch makes Dacron the right choice for wooden bows and older models without reinforced limb tips, since the give protects the limbs from stress. At the same time, Dacron strings elongate more over time, meaning the brace height needs to be checked and adjusted more frequently.

Archers looking for more performance from their bow turn to Fast Flight or Dyneema. Fast Flight, also known as Spectra, barely stretches and transfers significantly more energy to the arrow. After roughly 1,000 shots the elongation is essentially complete, resulting in a stable brace height over a long period of use. Dyneema takes this even further with virtually no stretch at all. One thing to keep in mind is that Dyneema begins to soften at around 70 degrees Celsius, so you should avoid generating too much heat when rubbing in bowstring wax. High-performance hybrid materials such as BCY 452X combine Dyneema with Vectran to create strings that are thinner and even more efficient. As a general rule, Fast Flight and comparable materials must only be used on bows with limb tips that are explicitly designed for them.

When it comes to construction, there are two main types: the endless loop string and the flemish splice string. An endless loop string is made by winding a single strand around two posts until the desired number of strands is reached. A flemish splice string is twisted together from multiple individual bundles, with the loops at each end formed by the splicing process itself. Depending on the bow's draw weight and the string material used, a bowstring typically consists of 16, 18, or 20 strands.

The Centre Serving and What You Need to Know About It

Every bowstring is reinforced in the middle section with a centre serving. This wrapping protects the string at the point where it contacts the arm guard during the shot, because lateral force can damage a string far more quickly than the straightforward tension load. The serving also prevents the string from cutting uncomfortably into the fingers during the draw. As soon as the centre serving shows signs of wear or individual fibres begin to separate, it should be replaced. You will find suitable serving thread in our Thread and Servings section.

Caring for Your Bowstring

A well-maintained bowstring can easily last 10,000 shots or more. The single most important maintenance step is applying bowstring wax regularly. Wax is rubbed into the free strands of the string so that it penetrates the fibres and protects them against moisture. The centre serving and the end servings are left unwaxed. Dacron strings in particular benefit from frequent waxing, since this material absorbs considerably more water than modern high-performance alternatives. A wet, heavier string changes the shooting characteristics and throws off sight settings.

A quick visual inspection of the string before and after every training session or competition is always a good idea. If a single strand has come loose, replace the string immediately. A damaged string is a safety risk both for your bow and for yourself. You will find suitable care products in our String Maintenance Products section.

Our String Range at BogenSportWelt.de

Our string range covers every bow type and performance level. The Standard Strings section offers reliable strings for recurve and longbows in common lengths and strand counts. For more specific requirements or particular bow models, the Special Strings section is worth exploring. Compound archers will find what they need under Strings and Cables for Compound Bows, where strings and cables are available as matched systems.

If you prefer to build your own bowstring, our String Making section has everything you need. High-quality threads and servings from brands including BCY, Brownell, and Bearpaw are available alongside accessories from Bohning, Cartel, AAE, Beiter, and Spigarelli. If you want a fully custom-made string without the DIY effort, take a look at our BSW Custom String, manufactured precisely to your specifications.

Not sure which string is right for your bow? Browse our range or get in touch with us directly. We are happy to help you find the right match.