Edited: Upper limb? So does the bow shoot better unstrung???

Some bows take a set when strung for long periods.  I wonder if the string is more prone to getting damaged under tension, cut one just walking out the door once.

[Magnum in Ms]

It is easer than standing on your head and stringing the bottom limb.

[RRock]

I knew the answer to this question once, but I forgot.

[Zbearclaw]

A strung bow without an arrow is just a harp, not a weapon...

[tecum-tha]

It doesn't matter which way you string it as long as the bow is buildt to take it.
On western longbows, the reason is obviously the weaker upper limb,whci will bend easier without bending the bow uneven further than needed.
Korean bows are strung at the bottom limbs because of a different stringing technique. I already used this technique on western bows. No problems...

[Ssamac]

OK Appreciate all the responses serious or not. Good times. I think the upper loop is bigger because we "happen" to string from the top. That was an effect not a cause.

The weaker limb is what I thought originally, and the way the grip goes makes sense too. Also if you string the top you're ready to shoot. It seems to me it's really just "custom" more than a specific reason.

thank you
sam

[Ssamac]

OK so now let's switch. I notice that on my recurves, if I leave them strung they are ok. However if I unstring a bow, then next time I string and shoot it it seems to pull smoother or lighter. After a few days left strung, it pulls heavier. I'd like to say that this is just a perception, but it seems to happen all the time. So I've been actually testing this with two bows, and it really does make a differnce.

So the obvious is: WHY?

Thanks
sam

[Zbearclaw]

Ok here is my thinking.  Most are right handed.  When you grab your bow you generally grab it with your bow hand, left for most, by the handle section.

When you grasp the bow that way, in position to string (ie riser up and string down) the available hand is the right one, which is on the same side as the top limb.

I know if I were to do it different I'd probably mess something up.

Now that I think about it the same is true for wrong handed folks, except the top limb is by their left arm.

[Earl E. Nov...mber]

Remember in medieval times the long bow was a military weapon.. Most of them were self bows and probably had linen strings.
Leaving a bow strung would stretch the string and give the bow a set.
Being a military weapon stringing the bow rapidly was most likely important, and as has been stated it's got to be faster. Stringing it upside down and flipping it just slows the process.
So... "Been doin it dat way forever, I ain't goin to switch"  But if I did, with a modern bow and leaving it strung, it probably doesn't matter.

[Bowferd]

Ken, If you could do that upside down and backwards, wouldn't that be called trickshooting?
Sam, I have no clue but have a much better understanding now that your son asked that question.
Thank you. I never thought of it. The young man has an inquisitive mind.

[Ssamac]

It's not stringing backwards. It's definitely upside down
sam

[Butch Speer]

Way back when, strings didn't have two loops.Just the top loop. The bottom was tied on with a timber hitch & left tied. Simple to use the push pull method when the bottom is tied on. Your string didn't fall off either.

[robtattoo]

Butch kind beat me to it.
However, in ye olde dayes, it was more common (according to illuminations from the time) to step through to string, rather than push/pull. Safer for the archer too. Limb twist isn't the issue with an ELB that it is wth a flat-limbed bow (before y'all jump down m' throat)

[Ssamac]

Butch, I think you got it. It's a custom and it makes sense how it started. I like it and am going to go with that

Thanks
sam