The very fundamental thing every archery enthusiast should know is to string your bow. Once you learn how to string your bow on your own, your shooting sessions will be a lot easier and entertaining. While there are many ways to get the job done, love the simplest and the easiest method. Let’s not waste time and get into the business.
While the safest way is to use a stringer, you can also choose an alternative way without the use of a stringer. We are prepared for the worst, still, we recommend you to buy one. First, we will discuss how to string your bow in case you have a bow stringer.
Stringing your bow with a bow stringer
As said previously, using a bow stringer is the safest of all options. Don’t hesitate to invest in one. There are many types of bowstrings in the market. Bowstrings in various sizes and colours. Irrespective of their size or colour, most of them will have lace and two ends.
They are commonly known as the cap loop stringer. These bowstrings have a cap or a pocket at one end and a saddle or loop on the other end. You may even find some with two caps and two laces all depending on the manufacturer.
We will discuss the further steps assuming you use a cap loop stringer. You can either choose to buy one or to build one. If you intend to build one, there are a lot of tutorials available online but here we will only stick to stringing your bow.
- Step 1: Insert the string
Take out the bow and assemble it if necessary (in case of a one-piece bow you don’t have to). Now you need to take the string through the upper limb string end. Make sure you don’t fit it onto the slits at the tip. Just kept it past. If you fit it, you won’t be able to reach the other end to the next slit end at the lower limb.
Now that you are done with the upper end, reach out to the lower limb. Check whether the limbs are correctly fit or not and that the upper end has the string passed into it.
- Step 2: Insert the stringer ends
As we are using a cap loop stringer, it will have a cap on one end and a loop on the other end. As said in step 1, insert the loop on the upper limb beyond the limb loop and the cap on the lower limb covering the limb ends.
- Step 3: Step on the stringer
Lower the bow horizontally facing down till the stringer touches the ground. After the stringer reaches the ground, step on the stringer. You can either step with one foot or both. We recommend stepping with two feet and also keeping them close. If you keep them far your bow won’t bend as much as you want to and you will have to exert more force.
- Step 4: Pull the bow
Now you are into the crucial part of the whole process. You have to pull the bow from the ground so that the limbs bend. You have to keep your hands at the stringer loop so that it will not set loose. You will be somewhat simulating a real draw in this process. You don’t have to worry about the bow snapping. As you are simulating a draw, the bow can handle such an amount of stress. You might feel that the bow will break, but you don’t have to worry, it’s normal.
- Step 5: Insert the string
The bow will be bent now and you have to move the bowstring end to the upper limb end to make it fit on the slit. Normally, you face difficulty in pulling the bow with a single hand. But it will fall into place once you have mastered the art of stringing. Once mastered it’s only a matter of seconds.
- Step 6: Release the pulling on the bow
Now you need to release the pulling gradually. But before you do, check whether the strings are fitted well into the limb slits at both ends. Once confirmed, you can now loosen the bow by slowly putting it down. You can notice the strings are mounting tension. After the full release has been done, you can now remove the cap from the lower limb and the loop from the upper.
- Step 7: Check your bow
Congratulations. You have made it. Just check you have done everything well and good. Just pull the string a couple of times not to the full draw, but a couple of inches. I repeat don’t dry-fire!! Don’t even dare to.
Now that we are done stringing with the help of a stringer, let’s now look into the procedure without it.
Stringing your bow without a bow stringer
There are two ways to string your bow without a bow stringer, they are:
- Push/Pull method for low poundage bow
Ø Insert string into the assembled bow as said in step 2 (previously).
Ø Your body acts as your stringer and place the lower limb in between your shoes.
Ø Grab the bow from the riser with one hand. Now put the other on the string loop on the upper limb.
Ø Bend the bow pulling from the riser and pushing over the upper limb at the same time.
Ø Push the string loop trying to fit onto the slit of the upper limb.
Ø You can now release the pressure you have put on the riser.
- Step through method for high poundage bow.
Ø Follow step 2.
Ø Grab the bow from the upper limb. Put a foot inside the bow where the string is to the front and the bow facing back.
Ø With the locked bow, pull forward from the upper limb's end to bend the bow.
Ø Slide the string loop into the upper limb end groove.
Ø Check whether the string is correctly fitted into the groove.
Conclusion
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