How to string a Recurve or Longbow using a Bow stringer

How to string a recurve or longbow using a bow stringer.

By: Red Feather Archery

 

A bow stringer is a simple and easy tool to use when stringing a recurve or long bow. It consists of a saddle for the top limb, a pocket for the bottom limb and a stringe slightly longer than your Bow. Using a bow stringer is a safe and practical way to string your recurve or long bow and many bow manufacturers recommend the use of a bow stringer when stringing and unstringing your bow.

 

1. First step is to ensure your bow is set up – meaning if your bow is a takedown, install the limbs as instructed by manufacturer. Next ready your bow string. Notice that the string will have two different sized loops on either end. The large loop is for the top limb and the small loop is for the bottom limb. Place the larger of the two loops over the top limb of your bow and slide it down the limb between 3” to 6”. Next place the smaller loop on to the bottom limb tip of the lower limb, seated neatly in the limb tip grooves.

 

2. Next take your Bow stringer – Place the saddle of the bow stringer on the upper limb just past the bow string loop. Make sure the bow string sits underneath the Bow stringer and on belly of the Bow.

 

3. Take the other end of the bow stringer which consists of a pocket and place it over the tip of the lower bow limb – make sure the smaller loop of the bow string is seated neatly in the grooves of the limb tip and the pocket of the Bow stringer should help secure the bow string in place.

 

4. With the saddle of the bow stringer on the upper limb and the pocket on the lower tip, place the bow horizontal with the back of the Bow facing up and step onto the Bow stringer with both feet shoulder width apart.

 

5. Using one hand to hold the Bow – Pull up slowly which will add tension and draw the bow. Once the limbs have flexed enough, Hold the bow in this position and with your other hand, slide the larger loop of the top Bow string towards the tip of the upper limb and place it in the grooves of the limb tip. Once the larger loop of the Bow string is seated in the grooves of the limb tip, you may gently release the bow to its strung and relaxed position.

 

6. At this point, the bow stringer may come off the bow. Check that both top and bottom tips are equally seated, and the bow string is neatly set in the grooves of the limb tips. Adjust if necessary & give the bow a couple gentle plucks to help seat the string. DO NOT DRY FIRE YOUR BOW!

 

7. Unstringing a bow is Similar to stringing your bow but in reverse. Too unstring your bow – place the bow stringer again with the saddle on the top limb and the pocket of the bow stringer on the lower limb tip. Again, step on the bow stringer with both feet and with one hand, pull up on the bow, flexing the limbs. With your other hand, take the top loop and slide it down the top limb towards the saddle of the bow stringer. – Next gently relax the bow and your bow will be unstrung safely.

 

• Remember when stringing and unstringing a recurve or longbow with a Bow stringer, to slide the top loop of the bow string down the top of the limb and NOT off the tip of the Bow.

 

• Other methods of stringing and unstringing a bow include: Push pull and the Step through Methods. Both require patience and skill but are not recommended practices when handling your bow – especially for new archers. Poorly executed Push pull or step through methods to string your bow may damage or twist the limbs and some manufacturers may void the warranty.

 

• Tuning your bow by properly setting the brace height may require too string and unstring your bow several times to make minor adjustments. The pay-off will be once your bow is set properly to the manufacturer suggested brace height and draw of the archer, will result in a smooth and accurate shooting bow.

 

• Remember to keep the nocking point of the string 1/8^th to 1/4^th of inch above the arrow rest to properly keep the arrow in place when drawing your bow. Re-stringing your bow to add or subtract a twist may be necessary to adjust brace height when setting up your bow.

 

• Brace height is determined when a Bow is strung and is measured from the throat of the grip to the nocking point on the string. Most Bow manufacturers recommend a brace height of 7 ¼ to 8 ¼ “and can be adjusted by adding or subtracting a twist to the string when the bow is unstrung. Check with your Bow manufacturer or an Archery retailer for specific brace height for your bow.