Best stringer?

[McDave]

What is your vote for the most versatile bow stringer?

My vote would be for the Black Widow stringer.  I can use it to easily string the great majority of bows I have ever owned or have been asked to string.  There are a few recurves that have upper limb tips too wide to fit the BW stringer, and a few straight limbed longbows where the downward angle of the upper limb when being strung makes it dangerous to use this kind of stringer.  On the positive side, I’ve never had an upper limb tip so small that the string jams against the upper cup of the stringer.

Such a simple concept.  But my experience has been that most stringers provided with bows range from mediocre to downright dangerous.  There are some cases where the rubber friction pad type stringers (or whatever they're called) excel, such as with straight limbed longbows, but for most uses I find them awkward to use in comparison with my BW stringer.

[kopfjaeger]

I don't know about the best or the most versatile bow stringer but for my bows I like the vintage Three Bear Bowstringer. The one out of the bubble pack I've been using since 1974. 

[MnFn]

Hi McDave,
BTW, I have enjoyed your posts over the years- very well thought out responses!

In regards to stringers, I have that same stringer that you have and it works well enough. But I bought an all black one with a black wedge (?) on one end. I bought it at RMSG and that one is my favorite.  I am probably not describing it very well and when I get home, I can take a photo of it for you.
Regards, Gary

[McDave]

I don't know about the best or the most versatile bow stringer but for my bows I like the vintage Three Bear Bowstringer. The one out of the bubble pack I've been using since 1974.

Interesting.  My ‘70’s vintage Bear Kodiak is one of the few recurves I have where the upper limb tips are too wide to comfortably use with my BW stringer.  I'll bet your stringer was made to use with that bow!

[Michael Guran]

My favorite is the Webster.  One end has 2 different sized pockets.  Works great on both longbows and recurves

[jess stuart]

Webster is a good one.

[BAK]

Absolutely the Webster.   

[M60gunner]

Another vote for the Black Widow stringer. I have a “few” because I tend to forget where I left one last. Only bow I have it doesn’t work on is my Vintage Works 62 Repro. The limb grooves are very close to the tip. So I have one with the rubber limb pad. Not my fav, had one years ago that slipped while stringing up my Bear SK. Almost lost an eye.

[GCook]

I have two but this is the one I prefer.

[Jack Whitmire Jr]

Black Widow stringer is also my favorite. Stringers with the rubber cup on the limb are an accident waiting to happen!

[Steve D]

 Webster also.

[Wapiti Chaser]

Im going to check out the Webster , I have always used Selways but the last two I had the cut the rope 1/4” too short and the knot on the end comes apart.You can’t retie it because they are seven to the pocket.

[bucknut]

I used the BW for years then bought the Superstringer by Thunderhorn.  I love it!

[Maclean]

I also have the Thunderhorn Superstringer and love it. Can't say how it works on recurves, but I have 6 different longbows and it works very well with all of them.

[Steelhead]

For me its the Thunderhorn Superstringer as well.

A few reasons.It will string any bow.Recurves,longbows and assyrian type bows etc.Another reason is the lower leather cup constricts and tightens as you put pressure on it.Like a noose.So it holds the string in place on the the lower limb very securely.One of the things that makes it unique to any other stringer.

It has the rubber pressure pad.Works on any limb inspite of the tip size since its not on the tips.Once you get used to using it correctly its a no brainer really.Its high quality like thier quivers and bows and should last a lifetime.

I Got like 6 different stringers in one of my archery tackle boxes.They gather dust.The Thunderhorn is the only one I have used in 15 years really.I got 2 setup.One for shorter bows and one for longer bows.

[Roy from Pa]

Frank, I had one of those Three Bear Bowstringers and lost it. It worked very well. Wish I could find the pattern for that design.

I made my own, used real heavy cow hide and the stringer cord criss crosses the tips, so all the pressure is on the cord, not the leather. This is just the bottom end and it's a little bigger than the top end, the top end is a little shorter so it's easy to slide the string in the string groove.

[5deer]

 

[PhilFloyd]

I have used the Webster for many years.

[Tim Finley]

The ones with cup's on both end are dangerous a recurve can flip all the way around and get away from you .

[Roy from Pa]

Found that old Three Bear Bowstringer on the big auction site. Still in the original package. They have 5 left now:)