repeated stringing and un stringing

[Bowwild]

I talked to the bowyers about this. As a result I only unstring my recurves if I need to change strings, brace height, or add silencers. Like others have written, danger of limb twist even when using stringer is far greater than damage by leaving strung.  If I know I'm not going to shoot a bow for months, I unstring it also.  Right now 3 of my 9 recurves are unstrung as is my only "uncurve".

[yaderehey]

I remember reading that Bear Archery studied this and left some of their bows strung for 2 years and then checked to see how much draw weight was lost.  The average was 1-2 pounds loss.  The kicker was after these bows were unstrung for a few days all the lost draw weight came back.  As I recall their determination was that no harm came in leaving a bow strung and otherwise handled and stored properly.  I personally leave those bows I'm shooting regularly strung and if I'm not shooting a particular bow much it's unstrung.

[ArrowCrester]

I have a Fred Bear Kodiak T/D recurve. Instructions that came with the bow sez:

Your bow may be left struck for a week or so, but for longer periods the string should be removed. hang the bow vertically with the lower limb off the floor or placed horizontal across two pegs.


Yes best to use a stringer.

         

[JRY309]

If I'm shooting a bow regularly I don't unstring,but don't leave in heat or laying out in direct sunlight.

[Northwoods]

I unstring my self bow after shooting daily and haven't had any problems in the 6 yrs I've owned this bow.

[KEG]

I'll leave mine strung if I am shooting regularly. I usually keep my bow in the garage, but now bring it inside the house since it is hot outside. I do unstring and restring my bow if I travel with it.

[jim phenes]

i unstring mine every time im done its a bear montana long bow but after reading the input i may leave it strung through the day and unstring at night!

[motorhead7963]

just a thought........ the act of shooting your bow is probably five times as much work on the bow as stringing and unstringing, I would think if your shooting that frequently I'd say your adding more work than needed??!!!

[Night Wing]

My two take down recurve bows stay strung all the time. Only unstring them if the brace height changes or I need to replace the bowstrings.

[Dave Bulla]

I always unstring my bows when not in use.  I push pull string and unstring all my longbows and even my recurves up to about 50 or 55#.  Above that, recurves are tougher but I don't own any I can't string.  With longbows, if I can shoot it, I can push pull string it.

I know I've read of people keeping recurves strung for years at a time and measuring weight and finding zero or extremely minimal weight loss so it must not hurt them but I just can't bring myself to leave them strung.  Part of that is because my bow rack has pegs about 6 inches apart and a strung bow would interfere with the other bows but the other part is just a belief that constant strain for long periods of time has to cause SOME effect.

Either way, the entire stringing or unstringing operation only takes me about 3 to 5 seconds so why worry about it.

[Don Stokes]

Dave, I hope you're wearing safety glasses when you push/pull a recurve!! That's an excellent way to lose an eye. It's happened before, too many times!!

You should always use a stringer on a recurve, if you value your eyes.

[Old York]

I string & unstring my recurve religiously, otherwise I'd forget how it's done    

Always use a stringer on a recurve