Recurve and traditional bow shooters operate in a completely different world from compound archers. There are no cams to calibrate, no cables to tension balance - just the relationship between limb, string, and archer. That simplicity makes string selection feel straightforward, but the details matter enormously. The wrong material can damage wooden limbs, create excessive vibration, or cause inconsistent brace height. These five custom string options are built with traditional and recurve archers specifically in mind.
| Product | Best For | Key Feature | Est. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flemish Twist Traditional String | Wooden longbows, primitive archery | Twisted construction, natural feel | $20-$45 |
| Samick Sage Replacement String | Samick Sage recurve owners | Exact-fit replacement, Fast Flight | $15-$30 |
| ASL Custom Recurve String | Olympic-style recurve shooters | Custom strand count and serving | $35-$70 |
| Dacron B50 String Material | DIY string builders, wooden bows | Controlled stretch, limb-safe | $10-$25 per spool |
| Bear Archery Traditional Longbow String | Bear longbow owners, traditional hunting | Pre-made for Bear limb specs | $20-$40 |
Flemish Twist Traditional String
The Flemish twist is the oldest bowstring construction method still in active use, and for good reason - its braided, twisted design gives it a natural flex and a quiet shot that loop-end strings simply don’t replicate. These strings are hand-twisted from natural or synthetic fibers and are particularly popular with longbow shooters and traditional archers who value the craft connection as much as the performance. The twist construction also makes them naturally loop-adjustable for brace height fine-tuning.
Pros: Traditional aesthetic and feel, quiet shot, adjustable brace height via twisting Cons: Slightly more stretch than modern synthetic strings, not recommended for very heavy draw weights
Samick Sage Replacement String
The Samick Sage is one of the most popular entry-level recurve bows sold worldwide, and its replacement string is one of the most commonly needed accessories for new recurve archers. This Fast Flight-compatible string is cut to the Sage’s exact specifications, so brace height comes out correct without adjustment. It’s a practical, no-guesswork replacement for one of the most common recurve platforms.
Pros: Exact fit for one of the most common recurves, Fast Flight material, ready to shoot Cons: Designed specifically for the Samick Sage - not a universal fit for other recurves
ASL Custom Recurve String
Archery Supplier and Logistics (ASL) builds custom recurve strings with selectable strand count, material type, and serving options - making them the most customizable option on this list for serious recurve archers. Olympic-style recurve shooters who need precise nocking point placement and consistent brace height across multiple identical strings will appreciate the ability to specify every parameter. These are also used by many recurve coaches as training strings.
Pros: Fully customizable specification, suitable for competitive recurve shooting, consistent batch quality Cons: Higher price for custom orders, requires knowing your bow’s exact specifications
Dacron B50 String Material
Dacron B50 is the string material that has been used on recurve and longbows for decades, and it remains the safest choice for wooden-limb bows and any recurve where the manufacturer does not explicitly approve Fast Flight or low-stretch materials. Its controlled stretch absorbs the limb shock that would otherwise travel into older limb wood and cause cracking. A spool of B50 gives you enough material to make multiple strings for seasonal replacement or DIY practice.
Pros: Limb-safe for wooden and older recurve designs, well-understood stretch properties, economical per string Cons: More stretch than modern materials means slightly lower arrow speed, requires string jig to build
Bear Archery Traditional Longbow String
Bear Archery is one of the most storied names in traditional archery, and their pre-made longbow strings are built to match the limb geometry and draw weight ranges of their own longbow lineup. For Bear longbow owners - from the Grizzly to the Montana Longbow - these strings provide an easy, manufacturer-matched replacement that maintains correct brace height out of the package. The loop construction is reinforced at the nocking point for durability on heavy longbow draw weights.
Pros: Manufacturer-spec fit for Bear longbows, durable loop construction, ready to use Cons: Best suited for Bear longbows specifically, less versatile for other brands
What to Look For
Limb compatibility is the first check before any string purchase. Low-stretch materials like Fast Flight, Dyneema, and Spectra produce higher arrow speeds - but they also transmit more shock to the limb tips. Wooden recurves and longbows, particularly vintage or fiberglass laminate designs, can crack at the limb tip if run with low-stretch strings. If your bow doesn’t explicitly state “Fast Flight compatible,” use Dacron B50.
Brace height is the distance from the deepest part of the bow grip to the string when strung. Every recurve has a recommended brace height range from the manufacturer. A string that’s too short creates too-low brace height and a harsh, loud shot; too long and the arrow paradox is disrupted. Flemish twist strings can be twisted or untwisted to dial in brace height - loop-end strings cannot.
Strand count and weight affect how the nocking point sits and how the string contacts the arrow shelf. Match strand count to your draw weight using manufacturer guidelines, and ensure the center serving diameter is compatible with the inside diameter of your arrows’ nocks - a loose nock fit causes inconsistent release.
String length for traditional bows is measured as the AMO length - this is the standard measurement used by bow manufacturers for recurve and longbow string sizing. Order the same AMO length as your bow’s listed AMO rating, not the actual measured string length.
Final Thoughts
For wooden longbows and any traditional setup where limb safety is a concern, Dacron B50 - whether as raw material or a pre-built Flemish twist string - is the correct choice. Olympic recurve shooters who need competition-level consistency should look to ASL Custom for their precision specification options. And if you own a Samick Sage and just need a reliable replacement that works out of the package, that brand-matched string saves you the measuring and guesswork.
Frequently asked questions
What string material is best for a recurve bow?+
Dacron B50 is the classic choice and remains ideal for wooden-limb recurves and longbows - its controlled stretch absorbs limb shock and protects older or delicate limb designs. For modern carbon or foam-core recurve limbs, Fast Flight or Dyneema materials offer less stretch and higher arrow speed without limb damage risk. Always check your bow manufacturer's recommendations before switching to a low-stretch material.
How many strands should a recurve bow string have?+
Most recurve bow strings use 12, 14, or 16 strands depending on the bow's draw weight. Lighter bows (under 35 lbs) typically use 12 strands; medium bows (35-55 lbs) use 14 strands; heavy bows (over 55 lbs) use 16 or more. More strands add durability and arrow contact area on the nocking point but also add slight string mass. Traditional Flemish twist strings are typically 12-14 strands for a natural, quiet feel.
Can I use a compound bow string on a recurve bow?+
No. Compound bow strings are engineered for the specific cam geometry and cable system of compound bows and are sized, twisted, and served completely differently than recurve strings. Using a compound string on a recurve will result in incorrect brace height, inconsistent nock fit, and potentially limb damage. Always use a string specifically designed and measured for your recurve or longbow.