I hate bowstringers.   Most longbow makers don't make the upper tip long enough for a really substantial cup, and the recurve stingers use that silly little rubber thingy.   Plus, they are, mostly, based on the use of a light line, which somehow tangles itself up the minute you look away from it.   I decided to make my own.   Pretty easy and, I think, very effective:

http://www.dickwightman.com/archery/bowstringer/bowstringer.html

Dick in Seattle

Neat idea Dick.  Now, if I only knew how to sew! Thanks for sharing Dick, Matt

On mine when the upper or smaller cup is not short enough I stick a little piece of deer hide in the end to shorten it up a bit.  the one you made looks good though.  have you ever tried Bob Swinehart's method of taking a cord and putting it directly on the upper string groove?  As the bow string gets tight it pushes the cord out of the way and settles into the groove.  Works great for heavy bows.  Can be made out of any thing that doesn't stretch too much and is slightly fatter than the bowstring.

Cool.  I have never had a problem with my selway though.  

Neat, Dick. Don't know where you stand on St. Jude but seems like I've seen you on it before. One or more of those might go well on there - just a thoght - lots of us don't have access to industrial machines.   :D    

Real nice Dick  

Looks like ya got somthin there Dick.

Great !!!  thanks for sharing..

QuoteOriginally posted by Dick in Seattle:
...and said, "Darn it, I can make a better stringer!"

Yes, you did!!!  
Aram

What did you use for the webbing?

good Idea think I will copy what you did thanks for sharing                  

Real nice Cap'n!

Thanks for all the comments, guys. i wanted to see if I could build my own and come up with something good, and I'm pleased with what came out, though later today, when i make the final version, it'll be better yet, with a little velcro strap to hold it neatly wrapped and a double pocket in addition to the loop on the head end.

As noted, I don't generally use a stringer for a longbow, unless I run into one that's just too heavy for me. Funny thing about getting old... every year, a higher proportion of the bows are too heavy, and a higher proportion of the ladies look young.

Dick in Seattle

selway makes a one of the rubber styled ones like the recurve stringer you mentioned.  makes it so the upper limb is fully expposed for easy stringing.

All that aside though, and a job well done in the the mind of: If you want something done right,  you gotta do it yourself.

I like that.

Dick, you could not have timed this better. I was looking at my stringer at the weekend and noticed the cord was getting a bit worn, and my wife has been wanting one for some time. So I'll be off to find some webbing this week. Thanks.    :D