The best string for a recurve bow is the one that matches the bow maker’s material requirements, the correct ordering length and your arrow nocks. A string can look right and still be the wrong replacement. Start with the bow’s model, generation and limb combination, then choose from the three options below.
Our first choice for a straightforward replacement is Southwest Archery’s B55 string when its specified size and strand count match your bow. Choose 60X’s custom Dacron string when you need to order a confirmed actual string length. Bear’s Silent Shot is the option to consider for a D97-compatible bow when you want integrated dampeners. None is a universal fit.
Best recurve bowstrings at a glance
| String | Best reason to choose it | Ordering details | Main limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southwest Archery Bow String (Dacron) | A standard B55 replacement with clearly paired size labels | AMO bow length and corresponding actual length; 12, 14 or 16 strands | Match the exact bow and configuration; its length labels are specific to this product |
| 60X Single-Color Dacron Custom Longbow & Recurve String | Custom ordering by actual string length | Select recurve; enter string length, not AMO; 12, 14, 16 or 18 strands | Custom strings are nonreturnable under the posted policy |
| Bear Archery Silent Shot String | D97 construction with integrated string and limb dampeners | 56, 58, 60, 62 or 64 AMO | Requires confirmed D97 compatibility; a matching AMO number alone is insufficient |
1. Southwest Archery B55: best for a straightforward replacement
Southwest’s Bow String (Dacron) uses B55 polyester and comes with served end loops and center serving. Its selector pairs AMO sizes from 48 to 68 inches with actual string lengths, in two-inch increments. That makes the distinction visible before you choose a variant.
A useful model-specific starting point is the standard 62-inch Southwest Spyder: the bow maker lists a 62 AMO, 14-strand Dacron string with that bow. The replacement-string selector labels its 62 AMO option as 58 inches actual. Those two manufacturer descriptions support selecting the corresponding replacement for that standard configuration. They do not establish the size for a Spyder XL or a bow whose limbs have been changed.
Choose it if: you have confirmed the matching Southwest specification and want a ready-served polyester string.
Check before ordering: the selected AMO size, strand count and your arrow’s nock fit. For another bow brand, ask its maker or a qualified bow shop to verify the specification. Do not turn Southwest’s size pairs into a universal subtraction rule.
2. 60X custom Dacron: best for a confirmed actual-length order
The 60X Single-Color Dacron Custom Longbow & Recurve String takes an actual-length order from 45 to 68 inches. Select the recurve configuration, which specifies a 1¾-inch top loop, a 1¼-inch bottom loop and nylon serving. The fiber is identified as Dacron, without an exact B50 or B55 grade.
Choose it if: your bow maker or shop has confirmed the length, loops and strand count.
Check before ordering: 60X measures length under 100 pounds of tension; a loose tape measurement is not equivalent. Have the maker confirm your specification. Its selector and FAQ describe the lowest strand-count band differently, so ask about light draw weights or boundary values. The posted policy excludes string returns, and this Dacron listing states that it carries no warranty.
3. Bear Silent Shot: best for integrated dampeners on a compatible bow
The Bear Archery Silent Shot String combines D97 material, continuous-loop construction and served-in limb and string dampeners. It comes in five AMO sizes, from 56 to 64 inches in two-inch steps. Those built-in components are its clearest distinction from the plain strings above; the name does not establish a measured noise advantage on your bow.
Choose it if: your bow maker has confirmed D97 compatibility and the appropriate Silent Shot size for your particular bow.
For example, Bear’s current 60 AMO Super Kodiak in Shedua with Black Stripe is supplied with a Dynaflight 97 Flemish-twist string. The traditional manual’s model table also specifies a 60 AMO string for the Super Kodiak. This documents a material and ordering-size starting point; it does not prove that every older Super Kodiak accepts D97 or that the continuous-loop Silent Shot fits every generation. Give Bear the model and serial details before switching.
Check before ordering: exact bow approval, AMO selection, loop fit and nock fit. Skip this option if the bow requires polyester or its material compatibility remains unknown.
How to choose the right string
Confirm the bow before the string
Write down the maker, model, approximate age, marked bow length and the riser-and-limb combination currently installed. A secondhand bow may not retain its original limbs or string. Send that information to the maker or take the bow to an archery shop if its history is uncertain. A marketplace title containing “recurve” is not a compatibility check.
Keep AMO and actual length separate
AMO is an ordering designation you must interpret with the seller’s instructions. Southwest displays paired bow/string sizes; 60X explicitly asks for actual string length. Its length guide also acknowledges that different bows can need different offsets to achieve the desired brace height. Copying the same number between those two ordering systems can produce the wrong string.
Ask the seller to confirm the finished length for your bow, the measurement method and the intended brace-height range. Do not subtract three or four inches indiscriminately, and do not assume an old, stretched string gives the correct new-string length.
Get material, strand count and serving right together
BCY’s material guidance says a recurve must be designed for modern high-tenacity fibers before using them. A reinforced-looking limb tip is not enough evidence. Where the bow’s requirements are uncertain, confirm them before buying a low-stretch string.
Strand counts are material- and setup-dependent. A count recommended for one fiber cannot automatically be transferred to another. Center serving also affects how the arrow nock fits: tell the string maker your nock model rather than choosing solely by draw weight. “Flemish” and “endless loop” describe construction; neither term by itself identifies the fiber or proves compatibility.
Installation and replacement checks
Use the bow maker’s instructions and a suitable bow stringer. Bear’s traditional-bow manual calls for a stringer, rejects push-pull and step-through methods, and warns against shooting with a worn string. Check that both loops sit correctly, then have brace height and the nocking point checked before shooting. Never dry-fire the bow.
Inspect the string before each session. Follow its maker’s maintenance instructions, and stop using a string with damage or questionable serving until it has been assessed. A wax coating does not repair broken fibers. Keep the confirmed specification with your bow so a future spare can be ordered accurately.
Frequently asked questions
Is Dacron the best choice for every recurve?
No. Polyester is relevant when the bow requires it, while some modern bows are designed for other materials. Choose the fiber approved for your exact bow. A string recommendation also cannot establish that an old or damaged bow is safe to shoot.
Can I use any 62-inch string on a 62-inch bow?
No. Check whether the label means 62 AMO or 62 inches of actual string. Southwest’s 62 AMO B55 variant and a custom string ordered at 62 inches actual describe different products.
Will a different string make my bow faster or quieter?
Do not buy on that promise alone. Material, construction, dampeners and setup can change the result, but these product descriptions do not establish a comparative performance gain on your bow. Correct fit and tuning come first.
Which recurve string should you buy?
Choose Southwest B55 for a matching, documented standard replacement, 60X custom Dacron for a confirmed actual-length order, or Bear Silent Shot when the bow maker approves its D97 material and fit and you want integrated dampeners. If you cannot yet specify the material and ordering length, identifying the bow is the next step before purchasing.
