I just got my "new to me" Toelke 3pc takedown! Talk about one beautiful bow!! Anyhow, I've always unstrung my longbow( this is my first recurve), just because I like to unstress them. Sorta give them a rest. I realize that this probably isn't necessary but I've always done it, even for an night at camp. Now this recurve needs a bow stringer and it's a little more trouble stringing and unstringing. Can I just leave it strung w/o hurting it? I mean leave it strung all the time?? I would like to but need some reassurance from some "old guys with experience", not some kid who "thinks" he knows.
I'd ask the bowyer for their opinion, but mine is it's fine to leave a laminated bow strung. I've been shooting the same one for around 15 years, and it's spent more time strung than unstrung. My bowfishing bow, which doesn't get shot much other than when I'm bowfishing (short season), stays strung most of the time also.
The only reason I would unstring them is if I had them stored where kids could get to them, if I was afraid of a mouse or pet chewing the string into, for travelling (if I have to), or if it's a selfbow.
FWIW, I just scaled my bow (the one I've been shooting for 15 years). It's marked 60@28, it scaled 59.5@28. There could easily be .5# difference in my scale and the bowyer's. It's been strung since I got back from NM in September.
Chad
If I'm shooting a recurve, I leave it strung. Longbows I unstring. I've seen no change in bows left strung for long periods of time.
I am one of those newbies that you may want to take with a grain of salt. However, I have asked the same question strung vs. unstrung to the bowyer that made my recurve and he said that the potential for damage is greater during the stringing and unstringing process than leaving it strung all the time. He said that he recommends leaving it strung unless you need to unstring it for transportation or installing silencers, new string, etc. I second the ask the bowyer response.
Interesting Post, What about limb twist ? I too am curious in this discussion.
If you store the bow properly, leaving it strung will not cause a limb twist. Stored improperly, you can twist a limb strung or unstrung.
As Hogcoots noted, you are much more apt to twist a limb during stringing or unstringing than any other time--with a recurve at least. I've never seen a longbow get a twisted limb by stringing or unstringing.
Chad
What would be the correct way to store a recurve? (sorry, I'm a newb) I only ask because right now mine's resting on top of my book shelf.
Thanks all, I guess I'll leave it strung..
That was a great question. I've always wondered that myself. I used to unstring my bows, but not anymore. Thanks for the helpful info.
Store it lying flat on it's side, or I have mine resting on two pegs with the weight of the bow at each end of the riser.
NEVER just stand it in a corner, or leave it in a car or garage where extreme heat can build up.
Chad
That's what I was thinking, but I wanted to make doubly sure I wasn't about to really screw something up.
You'll get a lot of old guys with expereince on both sides of this issue. So here's my two cents worth after shooting longbows and recurves for more than 50 years. I unstring them. Really isn't that much trouble.
I keep my recurves strung. I use a fast flight string on my Widow recurve and hang it by the string on 2 pegs. Never had a problem and the brace height stays about the same. The biggest worry I have with a strung bow is extreme heat.
Im a newby of 8 years.... if you call that a newby. I have a Martin super diablo that I left strung up for about a year with no issues. (still have it shoots great) I also had a Jeffery that I left strung alot for over 2 years that had no issues when I sold it last year. (it was my first bow) As a rule I dont leave my bows strung for more than a week or 2 at a time at the most. I do this when im tuning one in the house in the evenings.
if you do leave it strung, dont leave it in a car. Hot or cold outside cars can get hot quick and warp a limb.
I unstring mine, but that's just how I roll 8^). I've been doing it for nearly all my life so it's routine by now.
I have 2 takedown recurves and a takedown longbow that i shoot most everyday and i leave all of them strung and have them laying in my recliner.
Its a lazy boy so they have a nice place to rest while there not being shot.
I have bows that have been strung for years and only been unstrung to replace the string.
Mine has been strung 99% of the time since 1987 hasn't lost any weight or hurt anything.
I always keep mine strung with NO ill effects. Here's how mine are stored:
(http://i547.photobucket.com/albums/hh472/ishoot4thrills/PredatorClassicRecurve019.jpg)
like Ishoot4thrills shows. Ive done it like that for 30yrs. (Longbows and recurves)-- never a problem. Limbs are far more likely to twist on an unstrung bow stored improperly--and most limb twists that occur durning stringing or unstringing. Hang it strung, by the string, on pegs, shoot it once a wk. and it will be fine and ready to go,at a moments notice.
Keeping them strung has worked for me. The only bow I undtring every time is the one selfbow that I have. All of the laminated ones stay strung.
QuoteOriginally posted by woodie4life:
I would like to but need some reassurance from some "old guys with experience", not some kid who "thinks" he knows.
I wouldn't be so quick to judge advice by age. I had the same question a few years back and called a few bowyers for the answer. Just this kids two cents. Alot to be learned from all ages.
I have a Bob Lee Signature recurve. In the owner's video Bob sends out with his bows he recommends storing them like ishoot4thrills shows in his picture.
The longbow I built myself in 1992 has spent the majority of its life strung, and most of it standing in a corner when I wasn't shooting or hunting with it. No problems or changes whatsoever. Can't do that with a recurve though.
A recurve stored laying flat or suspended on pegs or a bow rack will not be harmed if kept away from excessive heat.
for reasons of warranty, check with the bow's creator.
i leave my longbows strung up and hanging horizontally by the string on my shop's ceiling joist beams.
I been shooting recurves since 73, I have always left the bow that I was shooting alot strung, only in hot weather I unstung a bow if I`am going to a shoot, many years ago I asked Ken Beck about it he said then leave strung if you are using it alot,he also said look at a compound and the pressure it is under, with the materials they use now building bows there should be no problem,but thats my opinion,
Bowyers tell you to leave them strung, because they figure your will just screw them up unstringing them. Perhaps they are judging the person, not the activity. :saywhat: :knothead: :biglaugh:
I unstring mine for transport. Other than that they stay strung.
My main hunting bow has been strung for the better part of 14 years. I shoot it just about every day. If I know that I wont be shooting for 2 or 3 days, I'll unstring it. The Bears that I have shot before that one, I've unstrung every time.
If I shoot it most every day I leave it strung. Otherwise I unstring. I keep all bows on pegs all the time unless they are out with me for shooting.
I think if you leave a bow strung and standing in a corner or in a hot car, room etc, then you can have problems
sam
I keep all my bows strung and hung vertically when not in use.
I have always unstrung my bows after use and usually when driving somewhere else. I strung my bows and left them strung for 48 hours. One of my k mags now hits the riser badly, The arrows are at a downward angle on my Colt and similarly on another bow. The others showed no signs of change that I can see. I will continue to unstring and try to twist my bows back in shape. I wish I had never done that but now I know which ones to make sure I unstring.