I'm laying flat on my back as I write this... which is where I have been for the past 24 hours. Yesterday I was about to meet some buddies for a trad squirrel hunt. My low back, which has given me lots of problems over the years, was a little tight but nothing major. I went to string my bow with my stringer... a Thunderhorn Superstringer. While pulling up, the rubber pad started slipping up the limb... I reached a little further out to stop it... further extending out and wham! I pulled my back out bad... dropped me to the floor, literally.
It was stupid mistake. I should have been extra careful knowing that my back was already tight. But it happened and I want to avoid that position in the future. I'm wondering about a better method of stringing my bow that won't require me to bend over and pull up. I've seen old timers just brace the bottom limb with their foot, pull the riser while pushing the top limb, sliding the string on. Is this hard on the bow? How do you guys with lower back issues string your bow?
I don't use a stringer, but I shoot longbows.
I use a step through
If it will work with a particular bow I find the Webster stringer to be the easiest on the back because I can get away with using one foot on the web and thereby keep my back straighter...I know a lot of people who string their Hill style bows using the push/pull method...not sure if that is easier on the back
DDave
Get a stringer with a pocket on each end so there can be no slipping.
I use a stringer if I an stringing a recurve or a very long longbow.. 70 inches or longer.
My longbows are 68" and under so the push pull method works best for me.
Find something that will work for you...safely!!
BTW if I am using a stringer I put both feet on the stringer with them being about a shoulder width apart.
God bless and Happy New Year, Mudd
I spread my feet then lift with my legs, and try not to bend over at the waist. Spreading my legs allows me to bend at the knees and then just by straightening my legs I get enough bend in the limbs to brace the bow. I never could get the push pull method to work for me but, I am coordination challenged anyway.
We have not used that style stringer for years. My wife almost lost an eye and I got hit in the head once by a limb when the rubber thing slipped.
We use the Black Widow stringer. Only limbs I have to watch is my Bear limbs by Rose Oak. The tips are large so I have to be careful the tip is settled into the pocket.
Like Mudd says use both feet and lift with your legs. I had back issues for years and this method kept me from pain.
Most all of my bows have been strung their entire life. There is really no need to unstring a modern laminated bow. As a matter of fact I seem to remember Black Widow recommending NOT unstringing it if it was shot regularly.
Should you chose to string and unstring I think the easiest way to do it is with two lag bolts in a post. One at the curve of your limbs the other at the grip. Pad the bolts with water hose or something similar. I use one of these when I put new strings on any of my static recurves as I don't trust the tip to tip style.
Dan
In our local club everybody used the push pull method for years. I once saw a friend get a large gash above his eye using this method. He thought the string was in both string grooves and it wasn't so as soon as he let pressure off it unstrung and the upper limb nailed him.
Also had a friend that used this method for over 20 years. His bow slipped from underneath his anchor foot and unstrung splitting the fiberglass from the limb.
I myself had the same thing happen as the second one above except it twisted the limb instead of breaking it.We all use stringers now like Mudd states I have used the Black Widow stringer with pockets on both ends for the last 15 years.
Work on your core. I too have had lower strains while not fun. I have started to listen to the dr's advice. I know what you mean by dropping to the floor.
We use and sell Bateman stringers. I teach all my students to use a stringer and sell one with every new bow setup.
Tie a longer string on your stringer. Parachute cord works. I only use the selway cup and block stringers on my recurve. Won't touch a tip to tip. I shoot a 3 piece longbow these days so no stringer.
Tie a longer string on your stringer. Parachute cord works. I only use the selway cup and block stringers on my recurve. Won't touch a tip to tip. I shoot a 3 piece longbow these days so no stringer.
The push/pull method IS hard on the back. A wall mounted stringer is probably the best, back-wise. As for the rubber block on a stringer, I've not had a problem with it slipping. Maybe because my bow is on 54". By default, that makes my stringer cord "long", so I'm guessing that a longer cord makes a difference. Using two feet on the cord also makes the angle of the stringer cord to the bow limb closer to 90 degrees and that would also aid in preventing the rubber block from slipping. As for keeping it strung forever....no problem bow-wise for a glass laminated bow but, in Michigan it is illegal to have a strung bow in your car unless it is cased. As I have no case that will fit my strung recurve and the bow is generally with me in the car (who knows when a shooting opportunity will present itself), I always unstring it when I'm done shooting.
Sorry about you back, I hope you feel better soon.
I have a string tied up in the roof of my bow room. That way you can stand upright and pull down. Works great. Simply tie the center of the stringer to something high.
What Mudd said.....Cup or pocket on each end
What Mudd said X2. Pocket on each end like a Black Widow stringer.
I'm with MUDD. Cup style stringer.
Sorry to hear about your back. I use the Thunderhorn Superstringer for a year now and I think it is the best I ever used. Just follow the instructions from Thunderhorn.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v42/macbow/image-39.jpg)[/URL]
Here is a pic of a fixed stringer similar to the one mentioned above using boat rollers for a cushion.
Easy to use. I normally use the push pull method on my wood long bows but when stringing an dun stringing many times a hour I use this.
Works great on recurves.
Looks like my picture ended up, up side down
I was just going to suggest a device similar to what macbow posted. Most bowyers have something like it since they are stringing and unstringing bows several times a day. Not very practical when your out in the field, but my bows are usually strung all season.
Longbow or regular recurve webster stringer for me
http://www.braveheartarchery.us/strings_and_accessories.htm
Static or super curve recurve limbsaver stringer
http://www.3riversarchery.com/Limbsaver+Recurve+Bow+Stringer_i5096_baseitem.html
As mentioned keep back straight and use your legs, good luck with the back.
I will only use the leg strap stringer recommended and sold by Ben Graham, Hummingbird bows for my recurves. Safest by far for the guy stringing the bow and for the bow as well. I do the push-pull method for my longbows.
Webster stringer from Braveheart Archery.
Webster user here
I use push/pull but you have to know what you are doing.
Lower tip against my right instep, grasp the bow above the grip in the sight window (more leverage), slide the upper string loop up the limb while pushing down with the heel of left hand, seat the loop with your fingers. I string both recurves and longbows this way.
Keep your head down and look away! There is no way to hit your head if you keep it out of the way.
Always have dry hands and bow! And I don't try it with bows over 55#.
I've had enough mishaps with bow stringers.
Somebody recently poste a link for a recurve stringer that 3Rivers is selling. It looked to have an orange flexible bracket that clamped the limbs at each end at supposedly would not slip. I don't have one(yet)but have felt your pain with the slipping plug!
Thanks for all the suggestions guys. I like KenrtuckyTJ's method a lot! I'm going to rig that up.
What mudd said.
For those who have had a rubber block slip, or are worried about that happening, just clean the rubber once in a while with rubbing alcohol to remove any dust or wax accumulation. It also helps to keep pushing the rubber block toward the tip until there is enough tension to hold it firmly on the limb. The one and only time I've had one slip was when I used it on a freshly waxed bow.
I leave mine strung unless I am adjusting brace height or putting a new string on ,, I bought a case that holds my bows strung , many bows are wrecked stringing them . I use a cup type on each end of my stringers hate those with a rubber block
I hold my rubber block with my index finger, while pulling up, until the limb is bent far enough so it can't slip up. The double pocket stringer works well with limbs with larger tips, but many limbs like Predator, or Rose Oak's tips are smaller. Tough to make sure the string is seated properly before letting down.
stagetek, the webster stringer has 2 sizes of limb cups on one end so you can match for tiny or regular tips, great stringer and being a nylon band doesn't knot up and rolls up very nicely to store in pack.
I lick on the rubber pad and then hold it in place until the angle is so that it will not slide up.
Tim, sorry to hear about your back & hope you're feeling better again, soon!
When stringing a longbow, I use the push-pull method with no issues.
With my recurve, I use a stringer like you describe (the ones with 2 cups that I have used always seemed less stable to me), and find that the longer string and using both feet on the string works pretty well with very little movement of the block (even with the spandex limb covers on).
That being said, I am always VERY cautious when stringing or unstringing a bow, for fear of injury or damage to the bow.
Again, I hope you're feeling well soon!
-Tony