Serving materials

Serving protects the areas of a bowstring that receive the most wear via contact. End serving protects the loops at each end of the string and the area that contacts the limb, while center serving protects the portion of the string that contacts the nock, tab, archer's fingers, face, and arm.

When ordering a custom string, the main serving decision you'll make is your end serving type. We normally select the center serving based on your shooting style and nock fit unless you request something specific.

Twisted vs. Braided: What's the difference?

The main difference is how the serving is constructed, which affects flexibility, durability, and feel.

Twisted Serving

Good durabiliy

Conforms to curves very well

Typically used for end serving

Braided Serving

More durable

Slightly stiffer (doesn't conform to curves as easily)

Used for end or center serving

End Serving: Which should I choose?

Twisted (standard)

Included in the price

This is our standard choice for most strings due to its flexibility.

Good durabiliy

Many color options

Included in the price

We use BCY 2X with waxed string materials and .008 Spectra with Glory Pro because it stays in place better on its slick coating.

Braided (more durable)

+ $5.00

More resistant to wear and a good choice if your string sees more abuse such as frequently setting the strung bow on the ground.

Better durable

Many color options

Additional cost (+ $5.00)

Halo is available in a wide range of colors. Other braided materials are available by request in black.

Transparent (shows string color)

+ $10.00

Allows the colors of the bow string underneath to remain visible. It's a distinctive look but the serving is more slippery and less durable than our other options and can make stringing the bow more challenging.

More slippery

Shows the string colors underneath

Additional cost (+ $10.00)

String twist is visible under the end serving.

Center Serving: We'll choose for you

We use braided materials for center serving because they provide excellent durability. We select the material and diameter based on your shooting style and nock fit, so this generally isn't something you need to choose when ordering. Let us know if you have a specific request.

Olympic Recurve

BCY Halo

Standard

Slick, durable, and available in the sizes to nail in nock fit.

Color:

Black

Grey

+ $2

Orange

+ $2

Pink

+ $2

Flo Pink

+ $2

Angel Majesty

Available by request

An exceptional serving material but it's no longer readily available. We have a limited stock and use it only by request.

Color:

Black

Barebow (string walking)

BCY Powergrip

Standard

A grippier surface due to the resin coating, it helps hold a crawl once set.

Available colors:

Black

Grey

+ $2

Orange

+ $2

Flo Pink

+ $2

Flo Green

+ $2

BCY 62XS

Available by request

A good option for barebow archers who perfer it.

Color:

Black

Traditional / Longbow

BCY Halo

Standard

A reliable and durable option for traditional recurve and longbows.

Color:

Black

Grey

+ $2

Orange

+ $2

Pink

+ $2

Flo Pink

+ $2

None

Black

Why don't we offer every center serving color?

We believe nock fit is more important than color. We stock center serving in the materials and sizes needed to produce the correct nock fit rather than limiting those options to carry every possible color.

Because barebow center serving often extends higher on the string, that's what they see as their string blur. For that reason, we offer Powergrip center serving in several colors to be able to customize that reference point.

Serving Materials: The Details

More information about each serving material and how they compare including construction, fiber, coating, sizes, and common uses.

Material	Construction	Fiber	Coating	Sizes	Uses	Notes
BCY 2X	Twisted	Dyneema® / Spectra®	None	.015	End serving	Very flexible; softer feel
BCY Spectra	Twisted	Spectra®	None	.008	End serving	Small diameter fits around curves well; durable and grips well
BCY Halo	Braided	Spectra®	None	.007", .014", .017", .019", .021", .024", .030"	End or center serving	Very durable; not quite as flexible around curves
BCY 62XS	Braided	Dyneema® / Spectra®	None	.014", .018", .021", .025"	End or center serving	Surface not as smooth as other materials; very durable
BCY Powergrip	Braided	Spectra® + Nylon	Resin	.009", .014", .016", .018", .021", .025", .032"	End or center serving	Grippy and less likely to separate; excellent for curving around loops
Bloodline ICE2	Braided	Dyneema®	Proprietary	.014"	End serving	Resistant to color transfer; grips the string material very well
Angel ASB Majesty	Braided	Izanas® HMPE & Polyester	Thermally bonded resin	.015", .018", .021", .026"	Center serving	Very durable & slick; limited availability