A composite string such as a bowstring or cable used in archery bows and crossbows includes multiple types of strands or multiple types of materials in its strands. The different materials or strands have different properties such as stiffness, strength, abrasion resistance, or density. The string therefore has specialized properties such as different properties when subjected to different tensile loads or optimized durability. A serving material is also used to bind strands of material to the string for silencing, vibration dampening, improving durability, or providing additional rigidity to select portions of the string.

A composite string such as a bowstring or cable used in archery bows and crossbows includes multiple types of strands or multiple types of materials in its strands. The different materials or strands have different properties such as stiffness, strength, abrasion resistance, or density. The string therefore has specialized properties such as different properties when subjected to different tensile loads or optimized durability. A serving material is also used to bind strands of material to the string for silencing, vibration dampening, improving durability, or providing additional rigidity to select portions of the string.

A composite string such as a bowstring or cable used in archery bows and crossbows includes multiple types of strands or multiple types of materials in its strands. The different materials or strands have different properties such as stiffness, strength, abrasion resistance, or density. The string therefore has specialized properties such as different properties when subjected to different tensile loads or optimized durability. A serving material is also used to bind strands of material to the string for silencing, vibration dampening, improving durability, or providing additional rigidity to select portions of the string.

A composite tube for an archery bow limb or arrow shaft preferably includes a first fiber sheet with fibers parallel and substantially perpendicular to a lengthwise axis of the composite tube; a second fiber sheet with fibers parallel to the lengthwise axis; a third fiber sheet with fibers oriented substantially 45 degrees from the lengthwise axis; and fourth fiber sheet with fibers parallel and substantially perpendicular to the lengthwise axis. The first fiber sheet is wrapped around a mandrill; the second carbon fiber sheet is wrapped around the first fiber sheet; the third fiber sheet is wrapped around the second fiber sheet; and the fourth fiber sheet is wrapped around the third fiber sheet. The mandrill with the first, second, third and fourth fiber sheets is baked in an autoclave. The spacing between fibers in the first, second, third and fourth carbon fiber sheets may be the same or different.