Stringing a traditional recurve bow

[Rougie]

Hello everybody, I just received my first traditional recurve bow, and since this is my first bow, I am confused about how to string it.
Also, I would like suggestions on good practice for a new bow such as this, because I read that you have to teach a new bow to being pulled and that you need to wax certain parts. It's just quite confusing...

My lovely > http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/2...uipmentmu8.jpg

[Schme1440]

Originally Posted by Rougie

Hello everybody, I just received my first traditional recurve bow, and since this is my first bow, I am confused about how to string it.
Also, I would like suggestions on good practice for a new bow such as this, because I read that you have to teach a new bow to being pulled and that you need to wax certain parts. It's just quite confusing...

My lovely > http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/2...uipmentmu8.jpg

Im sure some one will correct me but I hae a similar bow and I shot mine out of the bag. These are not like longbows and do not require teaching. I have drawn mine to full length from day one and have now shot over 200 arrows off mine with no teaching and no creaks or cracks just great fun shooting it. I use a method to string mine i would not recomend unless you are a very experienced in such things. I place the bottom limb tip against the inside of my shoe, hold the grip/centre of the bow and push away with the top limb. As I push away I slide my hand up the bow and slip on the string. You could get some one else to slide on the string but again I dont recomend unless you are very experienced as I am. I would suggest useing a normal stringer but you may need to shorten it by quite a bit.

[Rougie]

Are you supposed to twist the string before attaching it? Because atm the string is 6 little strings, all vertically down. Twisting would provide strength would it not? And if this is so, then how much twisting if any at all?

[Schme1440]

Yes twist it. I would put about 12 full turns in the string. If you dont put twists in the sting, as you shoot the bow the string can open up and act as a parachute and affect the arrow and not allow it to fly true. Its always a good idea to make sure a string has some wax in it as well.

[Rougie]

I didn't get any wax. Are there any household alternatives I can use or buy, or must I send off to an archery shop and get some of theirs?

[Rougie]

Originally Posted by Schme1440

I use a method to string mine i would not recomend unless you are a very experienced in such things. I place the bottom limb tip against the inside of my shoe, hold the grip/centre of the bow and push away with the top limb. As I push away I slide my hand up the bow and slip on the string. You could get some one else to slide on the string but again I dont recomend unless you are very experienced as I am. I would suggest useing a normal stringer but you may need to shorten it by quite a bit.

I had a go of this method, but the bow started to seem like only one end was getting bent around, that being the part around my leg, whilst the upper part had little bend. There just seems like so much distance to go to string it on. It's a good 20cm or so I have to slip it on. I can get it to about 10cm from the top, but it's very hard.

[Schme1440]

Originally Posted by Rougie

I had a go of this method, but the bow started to seem like only one end was getting bent around, that being the part around my leg, whilst the upper part had little bend. There just seems like so much distance to go to string it on. It's a good 20cm or so I have to slip it on. I can get it to about 10cm from the top, but it's very hard.

Like I said, I wouldnt recommend it. Get a stringer and make it shorter. Thats the best and safest way. I have had plenty of practice with this and have never had an accident using this method.

Bee's wax is a good one but I think any wax is good enough. You need to rub plenty onto the string and give it a good rub to get the wax into the string. Then take a piece of cotton or serving (serving works best). Make a tight loop around the string and drag the thread up and down the string to remove the extra wax.

[Rougie]

All done I used the method you spoke of

http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/3...gatlastfg5.jpg

[Schme1440]

Hope you mean the stringer method. The other method is ok and doesnt hurt the bow because it puts the same pressures as a stringer, but it can be more dangerous as hand can slip.

Bow looks good though. Mine is the curvyer version, like used in current BBC Robin Hood series.

[JohnK]

Originally Posted by Rougie

Are you supposed to twist the string before attaching it? Because atm the string is 6 little strings, all vertically down. Twisting would provide strength would it not? And if this is so, then how much twisting if any at all?

6 little strings? Really? I don't know of a single string material that's used to make such thin strings. I'd recommend you get to an archery shop - or an archer who's good at making strings - ASAP to get the string checked out and possibly replaced.