Do you have any experience purchasing a bow? If you do, then you know that it’s often shipped in individual components.
For safety purposes, most manufacturers prefer to package the limbs and the riser separately. This then means that you’ll have to assemble it once it arrives. After piecing the bow together, the next thing you have to do is string it. This latter process is simplified considerably if you use a bow stringer.
This brings us to our next point. Given the plethora of stringers available on the market, how do you choose a quality one? What factors should you watch out for when choosing one? Well, here’s a detailed guide to buying the best bow stringer and what you should know.
Reviews of the 5 Best Bow Stringers
1. Selway Limbsaver Recurve Bow Stringer
The Selway Limbsaver is one of the most highly-rated bow stringers, and rightly so. It’s fairly-priced and includes a set of features that you’ll not find in other models.
One such feature is the ultra-large Cordura limb cup. This is included specifically to prevent the bow limbs from twisting.
This stringer is also fitted with a slip-resistant rubber limb block. This helps to provide a firm grip when using the stringer to draw your bow limb.
You’ll also be impressed with the tangle-free design in which the stringer is packaged. This allows you to start stringing as soon as you receive the product.
While reliable, the Selway Stringer is designed for use with recurve bows. If you’re looking for a more versatile option, the Keshes Archery Bow Stringer Tool is your best bet.
According to the manufacturer, it can be used with recurve, long and traditional bows. But its flexibility isn’t the only reason why we like it.
This stringer is more user-friendly than others in the market. It operates by pulling from one tip to the other, which makes stringing a breeze. This process requires less effort than what’s needed when using stringers that rely on a limb leverage point.
Furthermore, you don’t have to worry about losing out on your investment. This is because Keshes offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee. So if you’re not content with your purchase, you can return the stringer and get a full refund.
Selway is a pretty renowned brand, so it’s not surprising that another one of their inventions has made it to our list. This particular stringer is customized for longbows.
It comprises a leather boot, enabling the stringer to fit nicely over the tips of most longbows. And like the version we looked at earlier, this one also sports a non-slip rubber limb block. This facilitates a firm grip when you’re using the stringer to draw.
Also crucial to note is that the stringer is made of nylon. This results in a tough build, allowing it to support bows of up to 75 lbs.
Are you a beginner looking for a simple-to-use stringer? If you are, this stringer by Southwest Archery is just what you need.
It’s not unusual for newbie archers to experience difficulty trying to figure out how all the different tools work. This manufacturer understands this which is why they’ve provided a detailed instructional video.
As soon as you purchase the stringer, you’ll receive a link to the video that will help you learn how to string a bow correctly.
In addition, this stringer is designed with ease of use in mind. It’s designed for pulling from tip to tip- a process that doesn’t require a lot of physical strength.
Moreover, the stringer also has rubber caps that minimize the risk of injuring yourself when stringing/de-stringing a bow.
This is another stringer that’s designed for use with recurve bows.
However, it has a pretty unique design. Other bow stringers are made up of a limb cup and limb block.
This unit by October Mountain comes with two limb blocks, which further eases the process of stringing a bow. It gives you a better line of view to the string, that is, the end of the bottom and top limbs.
Its flexibility is another reason why we consider it one of the best. It can be adjusted to fit recurve bows of different lengths, providing exceptional versatility.
Why Use a Bow Stringer?
If you’ve been wondering whether a bow stringer is really necessary, the answer to this is a resounding yes.
Sure, there are several other methods for stringing a bow. But using a stringer is the only technique that guarantees you maximum safety. It also prevents you from ruining your bow or string in the process.
As you saw earlier, there are different kinds of bow stringers. However, they all operate in a similar manner.
On one end of the stringer, you’ll find a pocket or saddle. This is the part that goes over the bow limb or tip. So the bowstring is usually inserted into the nock on one end while the saddle is fitted over the limb tip, securing the string in position.
An archer is then required to stand on the stringer cord and pull upwards. These two actions cause the limbs to flex safely into a convenient position that allows for the string to be added.
Before the invention of a bow stringer, archers relied on techniques such as step-through and push-pull. The problem with these methods is that they exert uneven pressure on the limbs, and this can cause them to twist.
Check out a step-through video below:
Here's another video on push-pull:
How to Choose the Right Bow Stringer
Even though bow stringers are one of the cheaper archery tools, it’s good to buy the right one from the get-go. To help you make the right decision, here are a few factors you should consider:
Compatibility
Different stringers will work with different types of bows. Put simply; some are designed to be used with longbows while others are designed for recurve bows.
If you have various kinds of bows, then look for one that has a universal design. Such a stringer is compatible with any bow type; be it the traditional longbow, recurve or compound.
Durability
If you have some experience in archery, then you know that it’s not advisable to leave your bow strung.
This is particularly the case if your bow is made of natural materials. For such situations, the materials will start deteriorating over time.
Thus, the best practice is to de-string your bow after shooting and then string it again when you want to use it. What this means is that you’ll be using your bow stringer quite often. And as such, you should invest in one that can withstand the stress that stems from this repeated activity.
Warranty
As we mentioned earlier, bow stringers are relatively cheap. Still, you’d not want to keep buying a stringer each time you want to string your bow. So to err on the side of safety, invest in bow stringers backed by warranties and money-back guarantees.
Safety Tips When Using Bow Stringers
For the most part, bow stringers aren’t harmful accessories.
That said, it’s always wise to check the integrity of the product you buy before using it. Pay attention to the stitching in the limb cup and the quality of the string.
If the string looks slightly frayed, it’s best not to use it. There’s a risk of the string snapping and misfiring the bow- an incident that can harm you.
Similarly, don’t use your bow stringers for too long. Like any other archery accessories, they experience wear and tear overtime. So if you notice your stringer looking old, consider buying a new one.
Conclusion
If you’ve been searching for the best bow stringer, one that comes highly recommended is the Selway Limbsaver. This stringer comes fitted with an ultra-large Cordura limb cup, meant to prevent any twisting of the limbs.
It’s made of nylon and comes in a universal size, meaning that it can be used to string any recurve bows. Better yet, it has a slip-resistant limb block that helps you depress the limb safely.