stringing bows

[jer11bravo]

#3153

I shoot a 52 inch bear bow. Ive always used a bow stringer but have noticed other people using the step through method. I was thinking about getting a longer bow maybe 60 inches. With my short arms I dont think I could use a stringer. Stepping through the string and placing the bottom limb against my foot while pulling the top limb up (best way to describe it ) is that way damaging to the bow.

[Chris Shelton]

#17042

shorten the stringer, I was always told that the step through can twist limbs! This is a big site and there will be plenty of other responses especially if Im wrong!

[Buckhorn73]

#18041

I highly recommend a stringer for any recurve. There are two types. One has cups on each end, large one for lower and small for top. The second has a cup for bottom limb and a pressure pad for the top. There is a very good film clip by 3Rivers showing the use of both types on their web site.

[Danny Klee]

#25623

Funny the issue of stringers comes up right now. My archery coach Les Bertram just designed a new type of bow stringer that in my opinion is better and easier to use than the regular bow stringers that everyone used. It’s in the prototype as I write this but it works GREAT and is so easy to use. The reason he came up with this idea is because he is not the tallest fellow and has a difficult time reaching the end of his bow while stringing or unstringing. I hesitate to give you more details until I talk with him and we come up with a video for you all to see but I will keep you posted. I think you all will be pleasantly please at his invention.

Dan

[SteveMcD]

#29834

I am a longbow guy myself. But I will always advocate using a stringer. My thought on this is that stringing a bow is just as dangerous as loading a firearm. I had a string slip on me once, out of my little 45# Stick. It whacked me across the chest and shoulder and left me black and blue for several days. I thank God, it wasn’t my jaw or my eye!

[tradbowman67]

#32299

I always reccommend use of a stringer, especially with heavier poundage bows because the “step through” method will develop limb twist if constantly used, not to mention twisting of the limbs at the initial stringing which can become a real hazard if unnoticed and the bow is shot without the loop seated properly in the tip grooves. On smaller poundage bows though, I have to admit, I’ve been bad about using a “pull-push” method in lieu of a stringer, which doesn’t twist the limbs. You would prop the botttom limb of the bow (belly down)against your instep, place one hand in the grip area, the other on the top limb at the string loop, then pull the riser towards you as you push the upper limb tip groundwards, sliding the string loop up the limb and into the tip grooves with your fingers. It’s rough on the back till you get used to it though!! Hope that helps.

[rbegansky]

#50911

Greatreearcher wrote: shorten the stringer, I was always told that the step through can twist limbs! This is a big site and there will be plenty of other responses especially if Im wrong!

Way back in high school (late 50’s – early 60’s) I had a 55# Shakespear recurve and spent much time learning on my own. Because I had no instructions I figured out I could step through and string the bow without any problem. I did this for about 3 years and because it was so easy I never left the bow strung. One day I was trying to see what I could do for distance on a local, no active players, Golf course on a cool fall day. I was stretching my shots out in steps until I think I was pushing about 100+ yards out. On my last shot the upper limb shattered. I don’t know if my stringing without a stringer caused this but that was the end of my bow shooting until I rejoined the tribe this year. I got me a 45# Bear Hunter recurve and a stringer. I had always had that itch all these years and finally had to scratch it. I hope the Bear lasts longer than my old bow did because I’m enjoying it a lot more and learning a lot.8)

[Hiram]

#60406

Stringer, especially on recurves.:)

[donw]

#62471

at one time there was a device on the market for step thru stringing of a bow that attached to the archers foot/ankle. i don’t know if it’s still availble or not.

years ago i knew a local archer/bowhunter who had the misfortune of having a sting style stringer break during the stringing of his heavy draw eight recurve (a 65# bear recurve). the force of the limb tip springing upward struck him on his cheek resulting in a severe, bullet hole, like wound in his cheek barely missing his eye. he was hospitalized and required reconstructive surgery of his shattered cheekbone.

an odd accident? yes…but a bow stringer is probably still the safest way to string your recurves…

[Arko]

#62540

I know this is an older thread but still applies everyday. I am new to archery and have several selfbows. Is it best to use stringers on them as well as recurves? How does not using stringers twist the limbs?
Oh, and by the waythis is my first post and would just like to say hello to everyone here. Great site and I am learning as I go and have learned a good bit from the folks here and hope to be able to return the favor to someone in the future who is at the point I am at now, newb.

[Arko]

#62549

Arko wrote: I know this is an older thread but still applies everyday. I am new to archery and have several selfbows. Is it best to use stringers on them as well as recurves? How does not using stringers twist the limbs?
Oh, and by the waythis is my first post and would just like to say hello to everyone here. Great site and I am learning as I go and have learned a good bit from the folks here and hope to be able to return the favor to someone in the future who is at the point I am at now, newb.

OOOPS, not my first post, second and now my third. Oh well, one of these days I’ll even learn to count.:?

[Todd Smith]

#10184

On recurves, do yourself and your bow a favor, use a stringer. todd

[Carbomask]

#11840

I have seen people use another method than the step through method, put the bow in the inside of the right foot, pull the handle of the bow with the right hand, and push down with the left hand on the top limb. everyone who i ever saw do this, made it look smooth, and controlled.. I did it once or twice, and it freaks me out personally. please comment about this method. and also, please comment about leaving the bows (longbow and recurve) strung. is this ok? and when is it not ok.?

[Author]

Posts