NZAP Strings

We don't make all of our new strings here at NZAP, we do buy some from various manufacturers, but when possible we prefer to make our own to your exact specifications. We can make any string to any length you need and we keep the most popular string materials in stock. The prices below are for strings and cables up to 72-inches long. If you need a longer string or cable, give us a call and we'll quote you a price. For current models of compound bows, it is often better to order a string or cable from the manufacturer instead of trying to make one. For most compound bows more that a few years old, factory rigging can be difficult or impossible to find so we are happy to make strings and cables to the original specifications.

Dacron Parallel-Strand Bow Strings

Brownell B-50 Dacron bow string material is recommended for strings on all older longbows and recurve bows and also older compound bows that have steel cables or had steel cables as original equipment. (quite a few older compound bows had their cables changed to Fast Flight--these must use Dacron strings) We can make your string with one or two colours and up to 72 inches long.

Our most popular colours are listed below. If you don't see the one you want, tell us in the remarks section. (specify second colour, if desired, in remarks) If you need a longer string than 72 inches, email us or ring us on the free phone and we will give you a price.

Dyneema Parallel-Strand Bow Strings and Cables

Dyneema is a trade name of the DSM Corporation for their HMPE (high-modulus polyethylene) fibers, which are among the strongest materials known to man--15 times stronger than steel. Dyneema is used in everything from fish nets to body armor, and of course, bowstrings that have virtually no streatch. Dyneema based bow strings and cables are used in every new compound bow made and are increasingly used on traditional bows. There are dozens of string materials available from several manufacturers that are primarily made from Dyneema with a few other fibers, such as Dacron, Vectran, and Kevlar, added to give them different characteristics. The first of these and the most familiar to archers is Fast Flight, which continues to be popular as Fast Flite Plus. However, there are many others on the market.

When you order a Dyneema string or cable from NZAP, we will select the most appropriate material unless, of course, you have a specific material you want your string made from. Just tell us about it in the remarks section of the order form or ring us on the free phone. The price below is for standard string lengths up to 72 inches. We can make any length string you want but longer strings are by special arrangement.

Most of our customers who buy our custom-made Flemish string, buy them for their traditional look rather than for any real practical reason. Making a Flemish string involves twisting the fibres between the thumb and forefinger in a time honoured method that has been used for thousands of years. This twisting results in a reverse twist that gives the string a unique look that is very complementary to traditional bows.

However, there are a few more practical advantages a Flemish string enjoys over a standard endless-loop or parallel style of string. The most obvious is the number of strands in the loops. A Flemish string has the full count of strands in the loops making it stronger than the parallel string, which has only half the strands in the end loops. Flemish strings are also said to be noticeably quieter than parallel strings, although any actual test data on this is hard to find. Disadvantages of Flemish string are their slightly higher cost and they are said to be slower, although again, there is no actual test data on relative noise between the two most popular types of bow strings.

All NZAP Flemish string are individually hand spun by skilled string makers using the latest materials. Our most popular string is the two strand Dacron string that has been popular on longbows since the middle ages, but we are making more and more traditional string from the newer high-tech Dyneema-based materials, such as Fast Flite Plus and DynaFlite 97. Although they aren't listed here, we are also happy to make three-strand (three contrasting colours) Flemish strings. If you want a three-strand string, let us know in the remarks section of the order form or get in touch by email or on the freephone.

All our Flemish strings are made to order and they do take a bit more time and concentration than parallel strings, so they may take an extra day or so for us to get you order in the mail. But don't let this stop you from ordering one. They are guaranteed to be worth the wait.

Dacron Crossbow Strings

Dacron Crossbow Strings are made from a minimum of 24 strands of Brownell B-50 string material and are served with Brownell crossbow serving for durability and long life.

Dyneema Flemish Bow Strings

Dyneema is a trade name of the DSM Corporation for their HMPE (high-modulus polyethylene) fibers, which are among the strongest materials known to man--15 times stronger than steel. Dyneema is used in everything from fish nets to body armor, and of course, bowstrings that have virtually no streatch. Dyneema based bow strings and cables are used in every new compound bow made and are increasingly used on traditional bows. There are dozens of string materials available from several manufacturers that are primarily made from Dyneema with a few other fibers, such as Dacron, Vectran, and Kevlar, added to give them different characteristics. The first of these and the most familiar to archers is Fast Flight, which continues to be popular as Fast Flite Plus. However, there are many others on the market.

When you order a Flemish string made from a Dyneema-based material, we will select the most appropriate brand unless, of course, you have a specific material you want your string made from. Just tell us about it in the remarks section of the order form or ring us on the free phone. The price below is for standard two-strand Flemish string up to 72 inches long. We can also make you a three-strand string or any length string you want by special arrangement so ring us on the free phone or send on email if what you see here doesn't match your needs.

Cross Bow Strings

Crossbow strings need to be much heavier than strings for regular bows. This is partly due to the inherent inefficiency of short bows that dissipates much of the energy at release into the string and bow instead of to the arrow where it belongs. Another reason for heavy strings on crossbows is the friction of the string as it passes over the barrel of the bow, which greatly increases the wear on the serving.

Crossbow strings from NZAP have a minimum of 24 strands of string material for long life and durability. Plus we use Brownell crossbow serving on the centre section. This serving is .036 inches in diameter and will give many hundreds of shots before it needs to be renewed.

Most crossbow strings in New Zealand and Australia use Dacron for their strings. However, the newer Excalibur recurve bows and some of the more hi tech compound crossbows will need Dyneema based strings. If you have an older crossbow or if you are in doubt as to which to order, it is always safest to order the Dacron string as the Dyneema can cause serious damage to a bow that isn't designed for it.

Even though Flemish crossbow strings aren't listed here, we are happy to make one for you. They look particularly flash on recurve bows, and can be made with either Dacron or Dyneema. If you want a Flemish string for your crossbow, get in touch by email or give us a ring on the free phone. All crossbow string are custom made so they may take a day or so extra to get in the mail to you.