This listing is for a custom double-loop Flemish Twist bow string for your traditional recurve or long bow, made from DynaFLIGHT 97. It will be made to your specified length with your preferred colors. The string will arrive in an envelope including some instructions. Instructions: Please review the information below. Make sure your bow maker says you can use D97 or other "Fast Flight-type" string materials. Figure out what string length you need. Pick 2 string colors and 1 serving color from what I have available. Please leave your choices in the checkout instructions, or send me a message. If you have any other requests or instructions, please message me! String Details VERY IMPORTANT: Order the correct length! Review the information about finding the proper string length for your bow, and order the length you require. The listings are for ACTUAL STRING LENGTH, not bow length. Feel free to message me if you're having trouble determining what length you need. The listing has options available that will work for many popular recurve and long bow lengths. If you need a length that is not listed, please select "Other," and message me what length you need. I can build to any length. Strand Count: By default, unless requested otherwise, I will make strings from 14 strands of D97. If you would like a different strand count (10, 12, 14 or 16), please message me and let me know. I will do this for no additional charge. My personal recommendations for a balance of strong, fast, and good arrow fitment are 12 or 14 strands. BCY recommends 14 or 16 strands, but in my experience 16 strands often results in a borderline-too tight arrow fit. You may still consider 10 strands for light weight bows, very narrow nocks, or to get the lightest, skinniest string. You may consider 16 strands for heavier bows, wide arrow nocks, or for comfort, as a larger diameter string may feel more comfortable on the fingers. Speed difference between 10 and 16 strands is only 1-2fps on average. (Due to the high-strength nature of D97, breaking strength really isn't something you need to worry about when considering the number of strands.) Loop Sizes: My strings come with two loops, usually measuring about 1" to 1-1/4" for long bows, and about 1-1/2" to 1-3/4" for recurves. (There might be some variance.) The larger of the two loops is intended to be the top loop. If you need or want smaller or larger loops, please let me know. The splices are nicely tapered with the tag-ends trimmed and cleaned up. Serving: By default, the center serving will measure ~7" served around center (3-1/2" above and below center). If you would prefer something different -- longer (up to 10") or shorter serving, or adjusted up or down, please let me know. All bows have slightly different arrow nocking locations. If you would like to make modifications to the strand count, loop sizes, or serving length or location, please contact me before buying or right after placing your order. I will always prefer to spend a little extra time making sure your string is perfectly how you want it the first time, rather than having to do returns, exchanges, or refunds. String Length The length options for the strings are the actual string length. There are a few ways to find out what length of string you actually need for your bow. Option 1: Measure your old string. This is the best and easiest way to get the right length. String your bow to the recommended/preferred brace height. Remove it from the bow without letting it untwist. Loop one end around a nail or something, and measure the string while you pull it completely taut. Write down this measurement. When you select a length, round up to the nearest inch. (Ex: String measures 58 3/4", order a 59" string.) If your old string is Dacron, order a string up to 1" longer than the old string. The new string will not stretch as much. Option 2: Select a string length 3" shorter than your marked bow length. If your bow has a length measurement written on it (ex: 64" AMO), generally speaking you'll want a string that is 3" shorter than the bow (61" actual string length). The AMO Standard specified that the AMO bow length was 3 inches longer than the string length at optimal brace height. If your bow does not say AMO, the instructions are the same. The AMO "standard" is actually no longer officially in use, although it is still common to reference, and used by some bow makers unofficially. An older recommendation was that long bows needed a string 3" shorter than the bow, and recurves needed a string 4" shorter than the bow. I would urge you to stick to the 3" recommendation. This recommendation used to be made for Dacron/Polyester strings. D97 will not stretch nearly as much, and in many cases a 4" shorter string will be too short. A string that is slightly long can be shortened up considerably just by twisting it more -- but you can't make a short string longer. Option 3: Measure your bow yourself, and subtract 3". If your bow does not have a length written on it somewhere, and you don't have an old string for it, you can measure it yourself. Measure along the belly (the side pointed toward you while holding it) of the bow from one nock to the other. Do your best to follow any curvature of the bow's limbs, because this does count in the bow's "length." (You don't have to follow the pistol grip shape.) Write down this length. You'll want a string that is 3" shorter than this "nock-to-nock" length. If the length you get is a fraction of an inch, round up. DynaFLIGHT 97 DynaFLIGHT 97 is a modern, high-strength bow string material made by BCY Fibers. It's made from a material called Dyneema SK75. It's very durable. It will not stretch much when the bow is strung or drawn, and it should not "creep" much over time. No more constant brace height adjustments! Maybe you've heard of or read about "Fast Flight-type" strings. D97 falls in this category. This is different from older bow string materials, usually made from polyester ("Dacron," Brownell B50, BCY B55). These older materials are weaker and tended to stretch and creep a lot. It makes for a little different feel while drawing and shooting your bow. But ask any archer who has made the switch, and most will tell you they'll never switch back. While most modern "traditional" recurve and long bows are built to tolerate these newer string materials, some makers/manufacturers specify to use Dacron/B50 only. (Vintage bows especially.) Check your manual, or ask your manufacturer or bow maker if it is acceptable to use D97 or other "Fast Flight-type" string materials. I am not liable for any bow damage that might result from failing to follow your bow maker's recommendations. Usually, if your bow has tip overlays/reinforced tips, it should be fine -- and really, it is mostly just very thin strings that risk damaging your bow. I myself make and shoot all-wood long bows, and I have used D97 and similar materials for years without any issues, and no damage to my bows. This is on a variety of woods, with and without tip overlays. I've talked to many other bow makers who have done the same. But again: Follow your bow maker's recommendations. NOTE: D97 is currently the only bow string material that I use and sell. Colors Please use the checkout instructions or message me to tell me which color combinations you would prefer. Please pick 2 string colors, and 1 serving color. NOTICE: New Colors available as of September 5! Including: Sand, Seafoam, and Lavender. The following 18 colors are available for string color: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Purple, Black, White, Silver, Pink, Fluorescent Yellow, Fluorescent Green, Seafoam, Lavender, Mountain Berry, OD Green, Tan, Sand. Notes: OD green is quite dark. When paired with black there isn't much contrast. In my opinion regular green looks better with black. Pairs great with tan, however, which is a personal favorite and popular choice. Tan is kind of a medium brown. The "brown" color offered by BCY is much darker. I prefer this, and don't currently offer dark brown. "Sand" is a more neutral/natural tan option. Mountain Berry is a dark red/maroon color. The blue, purple, and silver all have a bit of a "metallic" sheen. It doesn't necessarily make for a shiny string, just something to note. Silver is a fine stand in for "gray." The following 11 colors are available for serving color: Red, Yellow, Green, Blue, Black, White, Silver, Brown, Lavender, Seafoam, Fluorescent Green, Camo. If I run out of the color you would like, I will message you letting you know, and ask whether you'd like to choose other colors or to wait. Usually restocks don't take more than a few days. If you don't make color selections, please at least give me some guidance in choosing colors. Something like "neutral," "bright," "natural," "dark," etc. Otherwise I will likely select from the colors I have the most of, or sometimes I will pick two completely random colors. Shipping I offer free shipping as the standard option. When selecting this option the string will be sent as standard mail in a non-machineable stamped envelope. Free shipping through standard mail does not come with a tracking number. I've had a few rare occasions of the US Postal Service having issues sending the strings as standard mail, and asking for additional postage or sending strings back. Be aware of this! I've done my best to read through USPS guidelines and comply with all of their rules, but sometimes a picky postal worker might have some issue with the package and request additional postage. Because of this I also offer upgraded shipping at a cost of $3.99 to send it as a First Class Mail Package, which includes a tracking number. I can also ship using Priority Mail, if speedy delivery is of utmost importance to you. I make my strings in a first-in, first-out basis, as the orders are made. If you pay for Priority Mail shipping you'll also "jump the line," and the string will be my first priority in building and getting in the mail. Packaging is minimalistic—just a an envelope with a details/instruction sheet. In most cases no unnecessary plastic packaging. Doing what I can to reduce the amount of single-use plastics I use! Until I have reason to change this policy, as long as strings are returned un-used and un-damaged, I will continue to offer hassle-free returns, exchanges, or refunds. About Me I am a hobby bow-maker, and I make strings for some extra cash. I have been making primitive bows since 2012, and have always made my own strings for those bows. This isn't my full-time job, just something I do on the side. Although it a part of a part of a larger self-employment strategy, I'm also not looking to make it my full time job. I stand by my strings, and believe them to be of high quality, competitive with the strings made by professional string makers who do this kind of work day in and day out. But know that there could be some variance. Most strings will be completed within a day or two of receiving the order, and sent out the day it's finished or the next day. Many times it is done same day! If you have any problems, please let me know! I will always do my best to work with you and sort out any issues that you might have, and I hold myself to a standard of excellent customer service. All I ask is for some understanding and patience. I am just a regular guy trying to make some extra dough, and gain a little bit of freedom through self-employment. Keep an eye on my listings, as I plan to expand my offerings beyond bow strings in the near future. Thank you so much for checking out my listings!