Centre Serving Material

[bowman104]

Just curious as to what other people use for their centre serving, as I keep having problems with the one I have been using, it either separates or ends up with a flat spot. I use BYC 8125 for the string and BYC 3D for the centre serving. Has anybody got any better recommendations or ideas. I only want to replace the serving at the moment, as I will make a new string at the end of the year.

[iscap_boy]

I'm using F8125 for the string, and 4MAX to the serving. Real good.

[geoffretired]

When you say separates does that mean at the nocking point? And is the flat spot at the nocking point too?
If so, the best thing would be to give a few more details such as D-loop or not. Release aid and type of jaw or not. metal nock sets or thread etc etc.
The reason for your troubles could be the result of what the nocking point is made from and how the release works on it, rather than the serving materials and the string.
Let us know.
Geoff

[greydog]

Seperation can sometimes be caused by not putting the serving on tight enough. If you buy a premade string alot of them aren't twisted or under pressure when they are served, so when you put them on your bow and put some twists in, the serving goes loose on the string and starts to seperate, mainly around hard curves on the cams and your 'D' loop can also start to pull the serving apart.

As Geoff said, more details would help isolate the problem

[grantwomack]

I've always used Diamondback .022" since I started making strings. It's not a terribly smooth release material but it does the job very well and I've only had one centre serving start to come apart on me - after it had been hitting my arm guard for a good 3 months!

[bowman104]

Originally Posted by geoffretired

When you say separates does that mean at the nocking point? And is the flat spot at the nocking point too?
If so, the best thing would be to give a few more details such as D-loop or not. Release aid and type of jaw or not. metal nock sets or thread etc etc.
The reason for your troubles could be the result of what the nocking point is made from and how the release works on it, rather than the serving materials and the string.
Let us know.
Geoff

Sorry should have put that info in the 1st post. The flat is in the nocking point and the nocking point is hand tied (top and bottom of nock)with a D-loop. On closer inspection it looks like the serving is slipping on the string. This is the first time that I have used BYC 8125 and it seems to be very slippy , could this be the wax on it? The string is made by myself and as far as i know i have put the serving on tight enough.
Maybe what i should have asked is what string/serving combinations are people using on their compounds?

[Shirt]

I'm with Grant - Diamondback is great stuff. Lasts near enough forever, if put on properly doesn't separate, and is equally slippy in wet and dry conditions. I've tried HALO, Dyneema, and monofil and they all did different things when shot in wet and dry. They did, on the other hand, be cleaner for the release.

If you do silly sh*t with your fingers at full draw like I do, though, you're better off with something that isn't particularly slippy.

[greydog]

I use halo serving with a 'D' loop, I haven't had any problems with it wearing out, it does get a smooth, polished look to it at the nocking point after a while, but that's about all. If you lightly wax the string before you put the serving on, that can help to stop it slipping.

Are you using a serving tool like the Beiter one, or serving by hand? My cheapo serving tool is useless and never keeps enough tension in the serving so I usually end up serving by hand to keep it tight enough

[geoffretired]

Two things to start with. The serving will tend to drift upwards given a chance. The D-loop will try to close together where it fits round the string, especially with a small jaw release. The serving needs to be reasonably tightly wound round the string and it needs to be closely wound so each wrap is pressed up close to the previous one.Many archers use brass nock sets to keep the d-loop in place and well spaced. Good tight knots on the d-loop can be made to stay in place but it takes more effort than the brass method I feel. I'm not a fan of the brass, but that is just personal.
Diamondback is great, as others have said, it grips the string better than lots of other serving material.
The flatspots you mentioned COULD indicate that the nocks are too tight on the string. I like to be able to twist the string in the nock with an arrow fitted to it.
Hope this helps.
Geoff

[TJ Mason]

I've been using Diamondback, which I like a lot. But I've just re-served with blue Angel so I'll see how that goes. Still trying to wash the blue stuff off my fingers, though.