What is your vote for the most versatile bow stringer?
My vote would be for the Black Widow stringer. I can use it to easily string the great majority of bows I have ever owned or have been asked to string. There are a few recurves that have upper limb tips too wide to fit the BW stringer, and a few straight limbed longbows where the downward angle of the upper limb when being strung makes it dangerous to use this kind of stringer. On the positive side, I've never had an upper limb tip so small that the string jams against the upper cup of the stringer.
Such a simple concept. But my experience has been that most stringers provided with bows range from mediocre to downright dangerous. There are some cases where the rubber friction pad type stringers (or whatever they're called) excel, such as with straight limbed longbows, but for most uses I find them awkward to use in comparison with my BW stringer.
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I don't know about the best or the most versatile bow stringer but for my bows I like the vintage Three Bear Bowstringer. The one out of the bubble pack I've been using since 1974.
Hi McDave,
BTW, I have enjoyed your posts over the years- very well thought out responses!
In regards to stringers, I have that same stringer that you have and it works well enough. But I bought an all black one with a black wedge (?) on one end. I bought it at RMSG and that one is my favorite. I am probably not describing it very well and when I get home, I can take a photo of it for you.
Regards, Gary
Quote from: kopfjaeger on December 31, 2022, 02:09:32 PM
I don't know about the best or the most versatile bow stringer but for my bows I like the vintage Three Bear Bowstringer. The one out of the bubble pack I've been using since 1974.
Interesting. My '70's vintage Bear Kodiak is one of the few recurves I have where the upper limb tips are too wide to comfortably use with my BW stringer. I'll bet your stringer was made to use with that bow!
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My favorite is the Webster. One end has 2 different sized pockets. Works great on both longbows and recurves
Webster is a good one.
Absolutely the Webster. :clapper:
Another vote for the Black Widow stringer. I have a "few" because I tend to forget where I left one last. Only bow I have it doesn't work on is my Vintage Works 62 Repro. The limb grooves are very close to the tip. So I have one with the rubber limb pad. Not my fav, had one years ago that slipped while stringing up my Bear SK. Almost lost an eye.
I have two but this is the one I prefer.
Black Widow stringer is also my favorite. Stringers with the rubber cup on the limb are an accident waiting to happen!
Webster also.
Im going to check out the Webster , I have always used Selways but the last two I had the cut the rope 1/4" too short and the knot on the end comes apart.You can't retie it because they are seven to the pocket.
I used the BW for years then bought the Superstringer by Thunderhorn. I love it!
I also have the Thunderhorn Superstringer and love it. Can't say how it works on recurves, but I have 6 different longbows and it works very well with all of them.
For me its the Thunderhorn Superstringer as well.
A few reasons.It will string any bow.Recurves,longbows and assyrian type bows etc.Another reason is the lower leather cup constricts and tightens as you put pressure on it.Like a noose.So it holds the string in place on the the lower limb very securely.One of the things that makes it unique to any other stringer.
It has the rubber pressure pad.Works on any limb inspite of the tip size since its not on the tips.Once you get used to using it correctly its a no brainer really.Its high quality like thier quivers and bows and should last a lifetime.
I Got like 6 different stringers in one of my archery tackle boxes.They gather dust.The Thunderhorn is the only one I have used in 15 years really.I got 2 setup.One for shorter bows and one for longer bows.
Frank, I had one of those Three Bear Bowstringers and lost it. It worked very well. Wish I could find the pattern for that design.
I made my own, used real heavy cow hide and the stringer cord criss crosses the tips, so all the pressure is on the cord, not the leather. This is just the bottom end and it's a little bigger than the top end, the top end is a little shorter so it's easy to slide the string in the string groove.
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:clapper:
I have used the Webster for many years.
The ones with cup's on both end are dangerous a recurve can flip all the way around and get away from you .
Found that old Three Bear Bowstringer on the big auction site. Still in the original package. They have 5 left now:)
Roy that's some handy work right there!
Thanks Gary.
Good to see the opinions and options. :campfire: I have great performance from my Black Widow Stringers.
Transparency - I have only Black Widow Bows... Works great on the skinny tip HS60 all the way to the KB & PCH... :archer2:
I'll throw in another vote for the Thunderhorn Superstringer. Works well on recurves and long bows, and I really like it when making bows when the limb tips haven't been anded all the way down enough to fit in limb tip stringers.
Quote from: Michael Guran on December 31, 2022, 03:02:54 PM
My favorite is the Webster. One end has 2 different sized pockets. Works great on both longbows and recurves
Another vote for the Webster ........ got mine quite a few years back now when I purchased an A&H 3 piece longbow ..... it's my only one of them and it's been my absolute go to for all bows that warranted a stringer.
Two thumbs up for the Webster two-pocket type. I have 4 of them and they are great. I'm not a fan of the pocket and the slider thing.
I like the Limb Saver the best for both recurve and longbows. I've got one that has a small cup on both ends, but I only use that for longbows since I think it has potential to twist a recurve limb while stringing.
Thats a functional looking stringer, Roy :thumbsup:
I also do homemade. This one has two pockets, plus the extra loop with sticky silicone tubing. The loop is handy for a safety backup or stringing recurves. If you are stringing heavy longbows, you can use the loop and pocket together by sliding the loop with the string, and then pocket off the end in one motion.
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Thanks Buggs. Just made another one today.
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Roy, I was getting ready to throw your name in the mix after seeing your stringer on Bowyers Bench. You beat me too it. :thumbsup:
Nice Roy!!!
got one with my blacktail years ago. ive not seen one for sale on here any suggestions ? i would like a back up.
Very nice, Roy. I have a stringer that I don't use with the slide on thing at one end- will try to replace that end with your pocket technique.
Thanks Steve
They are very easy to make.
Bob Lee sells a good one too.
i see where my typing and thinking skills failed .i have a webster and was looking to get another any ideas as to where ? thanks
I bought my Webster from Lost Nation—that was a couple of years ago so I'm not sure if they still have them...
lost nation still has them thankyou
I like the cup and rubber pad for all my bows - longbow and recurve. I've found the trick is to put both feet on the stringer, spread far enough apart that you are pulling pretty much vertically on each end. That way, the pad doesn't slide down on a recurve.
I have been using the shooting star bow stringer for over 15 year it's best I used made in Denver Co.
Quote from: ROSCO on January 21, 2023, 08:32:56 PM
I have been using the shooting star bow stringer for over 15 year it's best I used made in Denver Co.
Yes that's my favorite too. I also like OMP.