Limb twist

[Possum Head]

Fellas, my new recurve is scheduled to arrive shortly.Most likely my last custom build as I'm more into hunting than collecting. That said, what if anything can a recurve owner do to minimize the likelihood of limb twist? I've owned a number of recurves for a good while and had no issues yet and certainly don't want my new bow to acquire any. Thanks

[OldRawhide42]

Use a bow stringer not your legs.

[Crooked Stic]

Always use a stringer and be sure the string is in the belly groove.

[Smguinnip]

don't trip on an old, barbed wire fence hidden in the snow, falling hard enough to pop the string off your bow while rabbit hunting. it hurts, it's embarrassing and it can put a twist in the limb.

[Jeff tech]

Let me add don't stand it up in a corner sitting on the lower limb tip when it's strung. JF

[Kirkll]

Always use a stringer and be sure the string is in the belly groove.

This is good advice..

 I might add to always draw the bow carefully right after you string it to make sure the string has centered up in the tip notches evenly, and its coming into the string groove on the belly curl. 

I have seen flemish twist strings that need to have the loops flipped 180 degrees in order to center up properly. So i always try that first if things are not lining up properly.   .02 cents worth.

[Possum Head]

Interesting feedback Thanks!

[Kirkll]

One more thing to think about here is that over 90% of recurve bows are ruined during the stringing process.  Don't be afraid to leave these bows strung up for long periods of time. These modern fiberglass limbs can handle it just fine. Build a rack that your bow sets on the limbs horizontally, or even pegs you can hang it horizontally off the string ok. Just don't lean it up in a corner for long periods, or hang it on a nail from one end. Use wooden dowels and you can hang it vertically as long as the limb sits flat against the dowel. But long term is better horizontally.


Granted... when traveling, or even transporting them in a vehicle where you cannot lay them down flat. You will need to take it down. Just be damn careful stringing it again, and look at it closely and draw it a couple times after you do.

[Possum Head]

Thank you Kirk!!