Good day fellow Tradgangers!
So, I'm getting my first longbow later today, and I was wondering... do you guys use bow stringers or do you just use the step-through method?
I use the 'push-pull'...and I do it in a way that the bow can't come back and bit me....in other words, I keep my head out of the way.
I meant to to a clip on that a while back...but time gets away from me.
I use the push pull as well for my longbows. But when in doubt use a stringer!!
Welcome to the longbow brotherhood! I don't know any better and I always use a stringer. I have a longbow specific stringer and it works great.
I use a push-pull for my current bow too. Maybe I'll try a few different methods, and see what works best. Thanks for sharing experiences!
Push Pull works great for longbows; I have used it for years without any problems. But, as stated above, if you have any doubts, use a stringer.
Usually push-pull but long-limbed, heavy draw weight bows are much easier with a stringer.
"Longbows" seem to be getting shorter and shorter so push pull is more common.
I'm no bowyer but is it not the case that with anything other than a stringer you are putting uneven load on the limbs and doing potential damage.
I'm not saying that it was the reason but about 4 people I know use the same bows, 3 of us use a stringer and the 3rd doesn't, he is the only one to have had a limb failure.
I push-pull, but as hunter saftey Instructor I should'nt and neither should you. As my father used to say Do as I say ,not as I do!!...lol. It is always easy to take short cuts,but not always the right thing to do.
push/pull
I'd rather be safe than sorry. I use a stringer for all my bows, both long bows and recurves. Been doing so since 1969. Can't believe its been 40 years and never had a problem.
I'd say a stringer is the best, and safest way to go.
Next i'd say the push pull, which is fine if ya know what you're doin'.
As far as "stepping through", DON'T....
I use push/pull method too. I had some unfortunate incidents with a bow stringer that made me swear to never use them again. On two different ocassions I've had a stringer come apart and caught my 75# longbow limb right square in the kisser in front of all of the compound toting members of the Penn State collegiate archery team. It took a while but I can string my 80# 68" Hill bow with ease using the push/pull method. I can also string heavy recurves the same way. Ted Ekins at Howard Hill archery personally recomended that method to me and showed me how.
Did the stringer break on you or just come untied? Any stringer made from 550 paracord should never break.
I used to use the stringer exclusively out of fear of limb damage, but I've recently gotten over that and often use the push/pull method now.
I use the push/pull also. But be careful. People have lost an eye from doing this. Also make sure the string is in the groove on the top and bottom before shooting using either method.
No matter what you choose dont do the step through method, unless you want to twist or break a limb. That has to be the worst way to string a bow. I void all warranties on my bows if they string it that way.
Actually, Lukas Novotny says that the step-through method is - in many cases - the safest way to go. I mean, the Asian horse archers (huns, mongols...) had no other choice, when on the horse. And they did quite fine.
Anyways - I recieved the bow! And I tried the step-through method, but I was unable to string it. The bow is simply too strong. So I just used the push-pull method.
A bow-stringer followed, but I'm not sure if its firm enough to string a 70# bow...
Hey guys i just started shooting trad bows what is the push pull method,thanks.
stringer for all my longbows
Bob
I agree with what has been said on this post. I split a limb on a recurve using the step through method. I use a stringer for recurves and push pull for long. Joevan125 the way I do it is lower limb on the ground, floor, solid surface padded, foot against the limb so it don't slip, left hand on the handle, right hand push the string up pulling on the riser and pushing on the upper limb until string is in the groove.It is a good way to get hit in the face and there is a thread on this site where a fellow ganger almost lost an eye.
I push on the handle with my knee. Anyone else who does this?
Huey, are you left handed? I am right handed, so I do just the opposite when I push-pull my longbows: left hand pushes the string while the right pulls the bow at the riser. That way if the string lets go or slips, the limb isn't headed right for my face.
For recurves, I wouldn't do anything but use a stringer. It is way too easy to twist a recurve limb with any other method IMHO.
For some reason I'm not always the swiftest of foot so to say so I use a stringer all the time. I have a Selway longbow stringer and a Selway recurve stringer and use them exclusively, figure I have way too much money wrapped up into bows to screw one up by not using one.
Just my 2 cents...
Josh
Can someone post a link to what a stringer is because I can't find anything on it or where to buy one.
30coupe I am right handed I don't really pull on the riser, mostly just push the top limb. I do stay clear or try to. There's a video on the legends, Howard Hill shooting in camp that shows one of them stringihg a takedown doing it your way.I don't know how to and links to a post sorry.
The smartest, safest, way is to use a stringer and I do. They're light weight. The use of tools is a sign of a higher intelligence! :D
Try the skokum from Alaskan Bowhunting Supply.
http://www.3riversarchery.com/Bow+Accessories+Stringers_c46_s210_p0_thumb.html
Here ya go. Pretty much every style of stringer out there. I have pretty much used every style and they all work.
I have a Limbsaver Longbow Stringer from Selway. Came with the bow. But I'm not sure if it will hold... just tried, and it feels like it's stretched to it's limits, even when the stringloop is several inches from the tip.
Does anyone else have a similar stringer, which they have had any good/bad experiences with? The last thing I want, is a snapped stringer and a twisted - or broken - limb.
I have the same one and have never had problem stringing bow up to 65# with it. I think they are rated for much more than that. You should not have a problem with the stringer.
One other thing to remember here is a lot of bowyers are not stating in their warranty that if a stringer is not used then the warranty is void. Just something to keep in mind.
I have a Selway string too. On my 60#+ bows what is stretched to the limits is ME while trying to string the bow. I would not string one of my bows without a stringer. A cheap insurance policy for your bow.
Thanks. I feel a lot safer now :)
Push-pull for me. I like recurve stringers but don't really trust longbow stringers.
I use a stringer on both my 42# and 62# longbows. And I 'm a stud!
But what do I know, I'm new to this Trad stuff...
Joshua, enjoying a newbies lack of fixed notions.
Most bowyers' warrantees are rendered null and void if you do not use a stringer.
Killdeer...I wonder if I will get in trouble if I log Mockingbird out and commandeer his computer... :rolleyes: :D