My son asked me why we always string the bow from the upper limb. I actually have no idea, other than maybe the tiller on the lower limb is stiffer.
I'm sure the Trad Gangers know, however. So why do we always string from the top limb?
thanks
sam :archer: :archer: :archer:
Probably started that way with longbows thousands of years before stringers were ever thought of. A lot easier to step through and string from the top than do it from the bottom and have to flip it over before you can shoot it.
Well, best I can tell is because our feet have no opposable thumbs.
QuoteOriginally posted by Old York:
Well, best I can tell is because our feet have no opposable thumbs.
Y'all need t' come on down here, meet some of mah cousins....
Hahahahaha, good one Rob
Cause the top loop is bigger than the bottom on most strings??? :bigsmyl: :campfire:
Davey wins! A well made string will have a tighter fitting loop on the bottom that won't slide up the limb easily. The top loop is sized to fit fairly snuggly about 4" down on the limb.
Like stated I was told the big loop goes on the top.
The top loop is bigger for the reason I mentioned above.
Wrong,, we put a big loop on one end to Fit the top limb..That is that affect not the cause.. I suspect Vermonster has the right answer.
Or basically "We ben doin it dat way forever and we ain't changin now."
I did it accidentally backwards on a new bow once, didnt notice it until I had served on a nocking point. Didnt want to do it over so I just left it that way, never had any problems and oddly enough no one else ever noticed that my string was "upside down". I do use a stinger, always
QuoteOriginally posted by Uncle Buck:
I did it accidentally backwards on a new bow once, didnt notice it until I had served on a nocking point. Didnt want to do it over so I just left it that way, never had any problems and oddly enough no one else ever noticed that my string was "upside down". I do use a stinger, always
Then maybe it was you who made the 60" recurve string I got that was served upside down?
Because if you only strung it from the bottom limb, the string would hang loose?
One less step. Why string it from the bottom and then have to flip it over?
Need to add that I always have a limb protector on the bottom also.
ha ha, we are suppose to string a bow from the top limb, lol???
I have two thoughts regarding this. I think on a longbow it is a matter of utilizing the push pull method of stringing. After having pushed the string onto the nock it was not necessary to turn the bow over to have it in a shooting position. On a recurve where we mostly utilize a stringer I think it evolved from the fact that we would normally use our strong arm to pull up on the bow against the stringer. If we were to attempt to put the string on the bottom limb the shape of the grip does not really fit the thumb and fore finger of the pulling hand as well as if we were stringing the top limb.
I hope that makes sense!
Regards to all,
Dan
Because bowyers always make the top tip larger. Because it is uncomfortable to hold the grip upside down. Because up is always up and you have to start somewhere. Because if someone does it backwards and gets in wrestling match with the bow, it will be brought to me in pieces with the question " can you fix this?" this answer is, yes, and after many shots and two years that bow is still shooting, but it would have been easier to build it from scratch. Kids do ask fun questions, that is part of the fun in teaching them.
Because bowyers always make the top tip larger. Because it is uncomfortable to hold the grip upside down. Because up is always up and you have to start somewhere. Because if someone does it backwards and gets in wrestling match with the bow, it will be brought to me in pieces with the question "can you fix this?" this answer is, yes, and after many shots and two years that bow is still shooting, but it would have been easier to build it from scratch. Kids do ask fun questions, that is part of the fun in teaching them.
Why unstring a bow?
QuoteOriginally posted by Zbearclaw:
Why unstring a bow?
Because a bow is a weapon when strung.
A bow is just a stick with some string when it is unstrung.
Some bows take a set when strung for long periods. I wonder if the string is more prone to getting damaged under tension, cut one just walking out the door once.
It is easer than standing on your head and stringing the bottom limb.
I knew the answer to this question once, but I forgot.
A strung bow without an arrow is just a harp, not a weapon...
It doesn't matter which way you string it as long as the bow is buildt to take it.
On western longbows, the reason is obviously the weaker upper limb,whci will bend easier without bending the bow uneven further than needed.
Korean bows are strung at the bottom limbs because of a different stringing technique. I already used this technique on western bows. No problems...
OK Appreciate all the responses serious or not. Good times. I think the upper loop is bigger because we "happen" to string from the top. That was an effect not a cause.
The weaker limb is what I thought originally, and the way the grip goes makes sense too. Also if you string the top you're ready to shoot. It seems to me it's really just "custom" more than a specific reason.
thank you
sam
OK so now let's switch. I notice that on my recurves, if I leave them strung they are ok. However if I unstring a bow, then next time I string and shoot it it seems to pull smoother or lighter. After a few days left strung, it pulls heavier. I'd like to say that this is just a perception, but it seems to happen all the time. So I've been actually testing this with two bows, and it really does make a differnce.
So the obvious is: WHY?
Thanks
sam
Ok here is my thinking. Most are right handed. When you grab your bow you generally grab it with your bow hand, left for most, by the handle section.
When you grasp the bow that way, in position to string (ie riser up and string down) the available hand is the right one, which is on the same side as the top limb.
I know if I were to do it different I'd probably mess something up.
Now that I think about it the same is true for wrong handed folks, except the top limb is by their left arm.
Remember in medieval times the long bow was a military weapon.. Most of them were self bows and probably had linen strings.
Leaving a bow strung would stretch the string and give the bow a set.
Being a military weapon stringing the bow rapidly was most likely important, and as has been stated it's got to be faster. Stringing it upside down and flipping it just slows the process.
So... "Been doin it dat way forever, I ain't goin to switch" But if I did, with a modern bow and leaving it strung, it probably doesn't matter.
Ken, If you could do that upside down and backwards, wouldn't that be called trickshooting?
Sam, I have no clue but have a much better understanding now that your son asked that question.
Thank you. I never thought of it. The young man has an inquisitive mind.
It's not stringing backwards. It's definitely upside down
sam
Way back when, strings didn't have two loops.Just the top loop. The bottom was tied on with a timber hitch & left tied. Simple to use the push pull method when the bottom is tied on. Your string didn't fall off either.
Butch kind beat me to it.
However, in ye olde dayes, it was more common (according to illuminations from the time) to step through to string, rather than push/pull. Safer for the archer too. Limb twist isn't the issue with an ELB that it is wth a flat-limbed bow (before y'all jump down m' throat)
Butch, I think you got it. It's a custom and it makes sense how it started. I like it and am going to go with that
Thanks
sam