Step through or stringer?

[kolt]

I came across a site the other day that said the step through method of stringing a bow is bad for the bow and unsafe. I have a stringer but lately just use the step through cause its quicker. What do ya'll use?

[Killdeer]

I grew up using the step through, but use a stringer now. Looking at a lot of old lower limbs convinced me.

Killdeer  

[sonofabuck]

Stringer

[KYArcher]

Stringer Always!

[VA Bowbender]

Be safe use a stringer.  You'll be less likely to twist a limb.  Most if not all new bows come with a stringer, why do you think that is?  Like Killdeer said, I too grew up stepping through but I don't anymore.  Mostly because I don't want to hurt my bows with a slip.

[horatio1226]

Once my bows started getting nicer ( and more expensive) I found myself using a stringer more.
Brian

[b.glass]

I've heard of someone who lost an eye stringing a bow without a stringer. May not have been the step through method but a strong point for using a stringer.

[Kevin L.]

Always a stringer. I have extras in the truck and in my pack, so I always have one when I need it.

[smokin joe]

Save your bow -- use a stringer.

[WidowEater]

i was taught with step through and as soon as i saw a stringer being used I thought, "that looks better"

as for the guy who lost and eye that might just be an urban legend bc it seems like that story comes back around every once in a while, but i guess Jesus told parables for a reason

[UKarcher]

It's no urban legend. I have actually had to administer first aid on a woman who had the limb tip  smack her in the eye. She didn't lose the eye, but she split the eyelid from her eyebrow to the lashes. While we were waiting for the ambulance she went into shock. Seems to me to be a lot of anguish for not using a stringer.

[Dave Worden]

My understanding is this.  Never use step through on a recurve as it can twist a limb.  Longbows, on the other hand, have thick, narrow limbs and step through won't hurt them.  The "eye problem" is with the push-pull method sometimes used on recurves (and, I guess, on longbows too).  It can also damage your shin if the bottom end slips out.  I can attest to that issue.  Soooooo, with all that being said, I use a stringer (most of the time!)

[stmpthmpr]

No comment! LOL!!

[John Krause]

I have been using step thru for many years and haven't ever had a problem. Maybe a couple of times in 25 years but never even came close to ruining a bow or getting hurt.  I look at guy's bows who use a stringer religously and can see the limb twistwhen it is strung up. Mine all look good.  Whenever I watch someone use a stringer it hurts to watch. I step thru all bows but will unstring a longbow push pull unless it is really heavy. If you have a rubber tip cover over the bottom limb it helps alot so the loop doesn't come undone. Just another gadget in my book.

[wingnut]

NEVER USE A STEP THROUGH METHOD ON AN ALL NATURAL BOW!!!!

It is the quickest way to ruin one next to dry firing.  In fact, I'll bet more are ruined with step through then dry firing.

You can twist a limb the first time you do it.

Push/Pull or use a stringer.

Mike

[mmgrode]

I use both the stringer and the step through method at different times.  I have run into problems if I step through on highly r/d bows.  However, I have one bow I have probably strung up hundreds(if not a thousand) of times and it lines up just like when I finished it.  Hey, when I'm out in the woods and I don't have a stringer, that bow still needs to get a string on it!  However, I do think a stringer is safer for both you(compared to push/pull) and the bow. If you got one with you you might as well use it.  If you don't, well I'll still go hunting!  Matt

[frassettor]

Stringer always  

[WildmanSC]

I always have a stringer with me and I always use it.  It makes my skin crawl when I see folk stringing their bow using the step through method.  There's too much of a chance of twisting a limb.  I recently purchased a bowstringer strap from Alaska Bowhunting Supply.  I wish I would have had it in IL last year.  I would not have experienced the problems with one longbow that I has to string and unstring in the morning, and in the evening, too.  My Selway stringer kept slipping off the upper limb.  I had a dryfire in essence on two or three occasions.

Bill

[Widowbender]

Stringer...Always

David

[Dutchman]

I used the step-though when my I was a kid and didn't know better.

I use a stringer exclusively now.