Stringing a longbow

[jeffg]

I always used a bow stringer to string my bows. I always saw and heard of using the push pull method of stringing a longbow. Howard Hill used this method. What are the dangers and pit falls of using this method?

[LBR]

Main concern is you can get hurt, especially if your hand slips.

With some of the more radical designs, you might twist a limb.  Never saw that happen, but I guess it could.

[kevsuperg]

i push/pull string my longbows. just look the other way and guide the string into the nock.

[pockets]

I do the same as kevsuperg with longbows.

Originally posted by kevsuperg:
i push/pull string my longbows. just look the other way and guide the string into the nock.

Same here! Stringer for recurves, push/pull for longbows.

Bisch

[Burnsie]

For those using the push-pull method on longbows, do you also use it with the more modern RD longbows that also usually have rather small tips?  My new Toelke Whip has very tiny tips.  Dan sent a stringer with it?

[kevsuperg]

If they supplied a stringer, I'd probably use it

[huskyarcher]

I push/pull on all my longbows. Real quick and easy, and never had any problems. I always put the bottom limb on something soft like carpet, or my shoe, or whatever is available.

[GreyGoose]

I use a stringer.  Prefer Selway's.

[ChuckC]

On longbows I use push pull almost always.  

Note. .  I have had stringers slip off the tip too and THAT is an eye opener as well.  There are some inherent dangers in life.  Know what they are and be careful.
ChuckC

[kat]

Not nocking anyone for not using a stringer, but....
You may never have a problem, but it only takes one slip, and you can easily lose the sight or even an eye.
Unfortunately, I am speaking from experience.
Nothing is fool proof, but It only takes a minute to use a stringer, and its a whole lot safer.

[frankwright]

I use the Webster Stringer for everything.

Quick and easy, no strain and why take a chance.

I needed to use a stringer on my Jerry Hill bows and my heavy 70" longbows.  I had a Super K slip off my hand once when changing the bowstring in the field.  Cold hands and cold drizzle, my hand slipped and the recurve tip smacked me just below my right on the orbital bone.  It hurt for weeks, but that was better than losing my eye.  I have used a stringer on recurves ever since.  When loading your Hill bows with the push pull, be very careful where you place the bottom tip.  Hard boot soles and the dirt are no place for that tip to be.  I like to make sure that my bottom loops are small enough so they can never come off the string grooves. Besides that trying and failing by only getting one half of the top loop on the bow is one failure to watch out for, or on the outside chance,  with very heavy bows it is possible to strain the low back.

[Sixby]

Straight longbows, String follows and light backsets I use push and pull except on extreme poundage , over 60lb. All others I use an appropriate stringer. I like to hunt with a bow I can change a string or string and unstring without a stringer. I am extremely careful when string any bow in any way. We only have two eyes. I want to keep it that way. So keep a hand over the upper limb and eyes away from the point of impact in case something slips.

God bless, Steve

[Goshawkin]

I push pull my Hill style bows. I used to push pull or use a stringer on my RD longbows depending on how radical the limbs were. I bend way over when I do the push pull to keep the limb tip way away from my eyes. I'd post a vid but can't figure out how to do it from my phone???

[Possum Head]

Regardless ifin ya knock ye eyeball out make sure it's not your dominant one!

[bulldog18]

Webster stringer on all my bows.

[TxAg]

Originally posted by Burnsie:
For those using the push-pull method on longbows, do you also use it with the more modern RD longbows that also usually have rather small tips?  My new Toelke Whip has very tiny tips.  Dan sent a stringer with it?

I always use the step-through method on my whips

[killinstuff]

Geez, do you guys wear helmets when you drive a car to work in the morning too?  You're more likely to get an eye poked out walking in the woods when stringing a bow. I've been step through stringing a bow for 45 years, recurves, hybrids, and longbows without a single problem.  I'm sure there's a few guys out there who were being a goof and had something happen to them but someone has to get struck by lightening now and again so we all can talk about the guy that got struck by lightening once.

[WESTBROOK]

My stringer went down the road with my last recurve...no need for it on a longbow.