traditional bow question

[rasbo]

do you guys prefer the  step through method to string your bows,or a bow stringer

[HardCorpsHuntr]

Bow stringer.  The step through method should only be used as a last resort, as limb damage may occur.    

[NWWABOWHNTR]

always use a stringer!  otherwise you could twist your limbs.

[Shootmoore]

I have to say stringer.  safer for the limbs.  You can build your own pretty easy.

shootmoore

[Machias]

I don't even consider the step through measure a last resort.  Get or make a string changer! 

[McCascades]

stringer

[rasbo]

Im on it,thanks guys

[Hornseeker]

I dont own a stringer!!         

just kiddin... yeah...always use a stringer....

[carpsniperg2]

Guys got you going in the right way, rasbo. Always use a stringer. My friend that owns a trad shop. Screams at anyone that comes in and tries to string a bow up with the step threw method. He has seen tons of bows break from using this method.

[rasbo]

I'm gonna get one,I don't want to do anything to hurt," my precious"                                                  

[boneaddict]

Stringer

[boneaddict]

better let me hold onto that bow for ya until you get one

[rasbo]

better let me hold onto that bow for ya until you get one

:chuckle:yeah right  ....Its funny the little things in life really seem to excite me,after shooting this bow with Ray,It brought me back to my youth and how simple things can really be.Not sure if that makes sense to you all...But its just a cool feeling...

[TONTO]

 Neither, I have two saw horses covered with carpet. I just set them at the proper spacing from each other, lay the bow accross them and push down on the handle while sliding the string to the knock. Kind of like a poor mans bow press. I do have a homemade stringer as well if I must string/unstring in the field, but the saw horses work great.

[Balladeer]

Bow stringer

[ribka]

Push pull method or stringer. I try to use the stringer

[quadrafire]

How long can you leave a laminated longbow strung without it causing problems??

[ribka]

It depends. I have for months with no problems but would suggest no more than a few weeks.

But, never leave strung in a hot car in Summer!!

[Old Dog]

If it's convenient stop by Wholesale Sports in Federal Way, and I can fix you up for under $15.  It will also give me a chance to see your new bow, and 

[rasbo]

If it's convenient stop by Wholesale Sports in Federal Way, and I can fix you up for under $15.  It will also give me a chance to see your new bow, and 

thats a deal,when are you there,and where do I find ya

[Old Dog]

If it's convenient stop by Wholesale Sports in Federal Way, and I can fix you up for under $15.  It will also give me a chance to see your new bow, and 

thats a deal,when are you there,and where do I find ya

I'll be there daytime all weekend.  Check in with customer service, then go straight to the back of the store for archery.

[Snapshot]

Except for a kid's solid fiberglass bow, I wouldn't suggest 'step-through' (except perhaps on a wood bow that has a d-shaped cross section, like an English longobw, that won't get twisted in the process). For a recurve, I ALWAYS use a stringer. For a longbow, I'll use the 'push-pull' method unless it is too stout for me, and then I'll wuss-out and use a stringer. My buddy, Steve, says to me last month, "I knew you when you could string a bow." 

[rasbo]

picked one up today from oldman,swapped some deer sausage..He got to shot my bow,my rib is hurting so cant shoot now,thats driving me nuts..I found a pink bb gun for my grandaughter,she will be stoked

[Ray]

Push pull method about 99% of the time. Once in a while I will use a stringer but don't usually see a need for it.

[buckhorn2]

A pink bb gun and a saphire bow theres nothing like the good life. Probley get a white beaver this year and I might know where to put the trap.

[Hornseeker]

Its best to unstring it if you aren't going to be shooting regularly..you can leave it strung forever IF its hung and its guaranteed to not end up in some direct sunlight or something really hot!

[rasbo]

Its best to unstring it if you aren't going to be shooting regularly..you can leave it strung forever IF its hung and its guaranteed to not end up in some direct sunlight or something really hot!

thanks,I leave it unstrung....its my unstrung hero

[bow4elk]

I do more of a push-pull-slide motion to set my top string.  I use a stringer sometimes too.

As for stringing vs. unstringing.  It depends on the bow composition.  If you're talking about a wood selfbow, such as yew, osage, hickory, etc., then it's best to unstring your bow and warm it up upon restringing.  I mean working the limbs a bit.

For glass/laminated bows, there isn't much to worry about leaving the bow strung.  Glass laminations will not allow the limbs to take a set, as in an all-wood bow.  I built my takedown recurve in the spring of 1994.  It's 58" nock to nock and 58#@27".  I leave it strung all the time, no worries, just keeps zipping arrows as it did the day I finished it. 

[high country]

hearing my very handsome recurve explode on the first night in camp at a pig hunt in a southern orchard was nearly the worst thing ever. I strung and unstrung that thing a hundred times w/o a stringer, then 1000 miles from home on a dream hunt.........POW! nearly broke my hand and blew up my baby.

use a stringer

[rasbo]

hearing my very handsome recurve explode on the first night in camp at a pig hunt in a southern orchard was nearly the worst thing ever. I strung and unstrung that thing a hundred times w/o a stringer, then 1000 miles from home on a dream hunt.........POW! nearly broke my hand and blew up my baby.

use a stringer

that would suck big time

[high country]

hearing my very handsome recurve explode on the first night in camp at a pig hunt in a southern orchard was nearly the worst thing ever. I strung and unstrung that thing a hundred times w/o a stringer, then 1000 miles from home on a dream hunt.........POW! nearly broke my hand and blew up my baby.

use a stringer

that would suck big time

more then you can even imagine. I was in a no firearms area too. I just ate fruit from the orchad and got drunk for a few days....lol.

[bow4elk]

HC - ouch!  That had to hurt in more ways than one!

I should have noted in my last post that temperature is a huge factor as to whether or not I leave my recurve strung.  Never strung in a vehicle where the sun can warm it up to dangerous temps.  The concern is de-lamination.  In the garage during the winter/spring when temps are 60-70, no issue. 

[rasbo]

hearing my very handsome recurve explode on the first night in camp at a pig hunt in a southern orchard was nearly the worst thing ever. I strung and unstrung that thing a hundred times w/o a stringer, then 1000 miles from home on a dream hunt.........POW! nearly broke my hand and blew up my baby.

use a stringer

that would suck big time

more then you can even imagine. I was in a no firearms area too. I just ate fruit from the orchad and got drunk for a few days....lol.

:chuckle:hunting in se idaho for mulies,I reached and grabbed an arrow to shoot a buck,hit the string with the broadhead,katwang

[mjbskwim]

Bow stringer.  The step through method should only be used as a last resort, as limb damage may occur.    

First big lesson I learned about bows,years ago

[high country]

hearing my very handsome recurve explode on the first night in camp at a pig hunt in a southern orchard was nearly the worst thing ever. I strung and unstrung that thing a hundred times w/o a stringer, then 1000 miles from home on a dream hunt.........POW! nearly broke my hand and blew up my baby.

use a stringer

that would suck big time

more then you can even imagine. I was in a no firearms area too. I just ate fruit from the orchad and got drunk for a few days....lol.

:chuckle:hunting in se idaho for mulies,I reached and grabbed an arrow to shoot a buck,hit the string with the broadhead,katwang

I always have extra strings and arrows....but I was not prepared with a spare bow.....whoda thunk it.

[rasbo]

hearing my very handsome recurve explode on the first night in camp at a pig hunt in a southern orchard was nearly the worst thing ever. I strung and unstrung that thing a hundred times w/o a stringer, then 1000 miles from home on a dream hunt.........POW! nearly broke my hand and blew up my baby.

use a stringer

that would suck big time

more then you can even imagine. I was in a no firearms area too. I just ate fruit from the orchad and got drunk for a few days....lol.

:chuckle:hunting in se idaho for mulies,I reached and grabbed an arrow to shoot a buck,hit the string with the broadhead,katwang

I always have extra strings and arrows....but I was not prepared with a spare bow.....whoda thunk it.

I hear ya you there.Hey this post is a damn good reason for me to get a backup bow LOL

[Snapshot]

A back-up bow is a must and I take one that will shoot the same arrow/broadhead combination as my primary bow. I've been lucky enough to never have to use it but I won't go on an extended-stay trip without it.

[bankwalker]

i use neither.....i put the tip of the limb against the inside edge of my shoe. then pull the bow up towards me while sliding the string into place. never had a twisted limb, never slipped up once.

note.... not be the safest way to do it. but after having a stringer break on a blackwidow ill never trust one again. thats a painful break (the bow)