Stringing

[PAlline]

So I have a general history question, why is it now that we use stringers to string our bows? When back in days of yore people used to string their bows by pushing down on limbs to string them. What realization happened for the archery community to realize that this was reducing the life of the bow. I have always used a stringer but wish I could use the other method without damaging my bow and am just curious as to when this change happened.

[KenH]

Stringer?  I've been "step through" stringing straight bows and recurves for over 55 years and never had a problem.  It ain't broke, so I'm not gonna fix it.

[shreffler]

It's not just about the bows safety, but YOUR safety. I have seen multiple posts here and other places of people doing the "push/pull" method, where one slip of the hand causes the top limb to shoot up and stab them right in the eye with the tip. Many many people have lost eye sight or come close from this happening.

Not only does a stringer greatly reduce the chance of limb twist on your bow, it also eliminates any accidents that could harm you as well.

I don't like using a stringer for my bows sake, but for mine.

[katman]

For straight limb deep core longbows I don't think stringers are needed, but recurves are more susceptible to limb twist so I use one with them. Super recurves I believe require a paddle stringer.

I have read it several times from bowyers that most bows are damaged during stringing. When in doubt use a proper stringer.

[Bladepeek]

I usually string my longbows with the push-pull method, but if I had a 68" I might not be able to do that. I used to use the step through method when I was a teenager with a solid fiberglass recurve. I think you could have driven a truck over that bow without hurting it.

Now that I've paid good money for some nice bows, I am not going to take a chance of twisting a limb when it's just so easy to use a stringer. I keep one hanging from my bow rack, one in the pocket of my back quiver and one in my archery tackle box. Call me a coward if you want, but I'm more comfortable using them.

[Trond]

I use a stringer for my recurve, but after the pad on the stringer slipped down the limb of my longbow, I went back to step through. Tried push-pull, and find it working OK for me.

[Looper]

I imagine stringers came along with the advent of the recurve. I'm betting that after twisting a few limbs, somebody said to themselves, like Frank Constanza, "There has to be a better way!"

[Roy from Pa]

I always use a stringer with a leather cup on each end. I don't care for those stringers that has the rubber pad that slides part way down the limb and I don't think those types are good for a wooden bow string up.

[dbd870]

Originally posted by Roy from Pa:
I always use a stringer with a leather cup on each end. I don't care for those stringers that has the rubber pad that slides part way down the limb and I don't think those types are good for a wooden bow string up.

Agreed.

[Brock]

I dont use stringers for selfbows or longbows that are straight or with mild R/D.

With my longbow from Lee Robertson I had to use a stringer as it a a huge amount of reflex in limbs when unstrung.

My recurves...I always use a stringer.  First because I dont want to twist a limb...though rarer these days it still happens and I bought some limbs a year ago that were twisted slightly from not using a stringer.  I finally got them straightened after a lot of counter twisting and hanging bow by string until it pulled straight and re-learned its path.

Then is also about safety...using some of those older manual methods is dangerous for the shooter too...as if your hand slips or hte sttring does not seat in the nock properly....when it comes back it will go further than it started due to momentum and a few people have received face and worse...eye injuries from recurve bow tips.

We have the tool to string a recurve safely for both bow and shooter...so I dont risk it.  I have two or three Selway Limbsavers...one upstairs...one down stairs...one with hunting gear (if I am shooting a recurve that season).

Like I said though...with my longbows...push pull is all I use.

[ddauler]

I wont use a bow that needs a stringer! Or shoot a bow that I have to have an armguard! Call me a minimalist. To much to keep up with.

[Bowwild]

When I first started in archery in the 1960's stringers weren't used among those I hung around. I didn't either (these were 100% recurve people).  Step through method. Frankly, I didn't know any better. But no problems.

When I started to dabble in recurves again in 2001 I bought a RH Widow MA (used). The first time I strung the bow I twisted the limbs (or maybe, the limb was twisted when I bought it). Not knowing how to fix it I sent it back to widow and spent some $ to have it untwisted.

I have never and will never string a recurve (I don't do LBs) without a stringer again. They are easy to pack and use.  I too only like the two pocket ones because I get more leverage.

Sometime I may string or unstring 5-6 bows in a session of shooting. I would like sometimes to have a jig I've seen some people have in their shops (pictures only).

[Roadkill]

I use one, teach students to use them, recommend them.  I even taught the students to make one.  Can use push-pull, step thru or back string, but when you look at 28 kids, this is safe for them and those around them.  It is safer for the bow too..  I keep them in the quiver pocket or the side of the truck door.  Call me a whimp but after losing balance when using step thru, I went to stringers   Yeah, I am old  

[TOEJAMMER]

Back in 1970 a friend and I were hunting late season, January, in NW N.J.  Miserable day, freezing rain, ice etc.  As we were leaving , we met another bowman leaving and we killed some time talking about our days experiences.  We departed.  The next year we met him again at the same place.  He was wearing a patch over his right eye.  After we left, he went to unstring his recurve with the push pull method.  His hands were numb from the all day cold, etc. and the bow slipped and the tip put his eye out.  That is about as good a reason for using a stringer one could experience.

[The Whittler]

Stringer= fast, easy, and safe, what more could you ask for.

[M60gunner]

I have used a stringer since I broke a lemonwood bow with the step through method. Saw a kid break a beautiful green Bear Griz using the same method. Even after we offered he the use of a stringer. I carry an extra just in case someone needs one.
I use the BW type stringer. I used to use the kind with the rubber pad until one day my wife got the bow tip in the side of her head. Only issue with BW stringer is my bows with the big tips like my Wes Wallace with antler overlay.

[last arrow]

I bought a new kodiak hunter in 1973 and it came with a stringer.  I don't think it is a new idea.