Building Bowstrings with Randy Duren from Apollo Bowstrings

Building Bowstrings with Randy Duren from Apollo Bowstrings

Strings are essential for traditional bows, compound bows, and crossbows. Have you ever wondered what goes into the process of making strings? What materials are they made out of? What drives someone to become a string maker? I have always wanted to know, so I asked Randy Duren from Apollo Strings about the process.

 

Who is Randy Duren?

Randy lives in Glen Rose, Texas, about 45 miles south of Fort Worth. He works as a Maintenance Training Instructor at the nuclear power plant to pay for his archery career. He’s been bow hunting nearly all his life, but Randy didn’t get into 3D archery until about halfway through the 2016 season. His oldest son started shooting local ASA state qualifiers, and since Randy was taking him to the shoots, he started getting into the sport. It quickly became an addiction to make it into the pro ranks and be competitive there.

 

What Made Randy Become a String Maker?

Randy aspired to make a living in archery, but crafting strings was not his first choice. When he had the chance to learn how to make bowstrings, he eagerly accepted the opportunity. Since then, he has developed a passion for creating strings for all types of bows.

 

Materials

Randy primarily uses Bloodline Brave 99 materials to create Apollo Bowstrings. These materials are chosen for their exceptional qualities, which include abrasion resistance, minimal stretching, and a long lifespan. They significantly enhance the string’s performance and durability. Although Randy is open to using standard BCY materials upon request, he strongly recommends the Bloodline materials because of their superior quality and the benefits they provide to archers.

 

What Makes Apollo Strings Stand Out?

Randy believes that the feedback from bow shops and many of his customers highlights their admiration for the precise construction of Apollo Strings. Most of the time, immediately upon installation, the bow is in perfect time and specification. Randy points out, “Bow shops especially appreciate not having to press the bow multiple times to get the cables twisted just right. The precision, ease of installation, and high-quality materials make Apollo Strings stand out in the market.” He is committed to ensuring that each component is as close to the perfect length as possible, making the installation of their strings extremely easy, even for those who prefer a DIY approach.

 

What is the Biggest Challenge of Making Bowstrings?

Randy believes the most challenging aspect of making a quality bowstring is achieving good, tight serving without causing peep rotation. There is a delicate balance that must be maintained consistently. If the serving is too tight, it can lead to peep rotation; if it is too loose, the serving may separate over time. The second most challenging task is ensuring that the finished lengths of each piece are perfect. This level of dedication and skill is what sets Apollo Strings apart.

 

What is the Most Rewarding Part of Making Bowstrings?

Randy’s biggest motivation is being out on a 3D archery range and receiving feedback from others who appreciate his strings and their performance. He believes that creating something that people love and value brings him immense joy. Recently, he attended the ASA Camp Minden Pro/Am. On Saturday morning, he parked next to a bow shop owner from Alabama whom he had never met before. They chatted about Randy’s strings before heading to their designated ranges. Later that morning, they happened to be at their vehicles at the same time again. The shop owner told Randy that while he was shooting, a guy on the stake next to him was saying that Randy made the best strings he had ever used. That feedback truly makes all of Randy’s hard work worthwhile!

You can check out Randy’s work at https://www.apollobowstrings.com/shop 

Source: Building Bowstrings with Randy Duren from Apollo Bowstrings