I'm just getting in to building my own bow, but I was wondering how important a bow stringer is?
Also, wouldn't a tillering string that uses the boots work the same?
Yes U can
as for stringers go... some do the push/pull for longbows & a stringer for recurves..
If you use the boot type stringer to tiller keep a close eye on where the boot attaches to the string. If your pulling a bunch on it it may pull loose. It shouldn't but that would be my only concern. Other than that it should work fine.
If you have a stringer I suggest using it for recurves. If you push pull a recurve your looking for trouble (or one less eye) I push pull my selfbows but never look towards it unless I feel the string is in place. But I longbow is less likely to hit you,,, at least the way I do it.
Soem people step through. I have used this too. It works but I have heard it could hurt the bow if not done right. I haven't had that problem yet. But I also don't unstring my laminated bows all that often because I shoot them often.