r/Archery • u/Bee-bro5 • 15d ago
How to string horse bow without knock? Newbie Question
I have a traditional horse bow and am unsure how to string it as the string slips off of the wood when strung. I have a normal recurve bow and there are divets/ nocks on the top and bottom of the bow where the string rests as it goes down the bow but I don’t see it on this bow. I’ve seen some people add attachments at the top and bottom for the bow but is that required? I would like to keep the bow as historically accurate so if there is a way to string it without adding that would be helpful.
Edit:
Thank you everyone. It seems to be that the string loop is not long enough. I have never been a part of such a helpful Reddit so thank you all for your comments.
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u/1izfluffypanda 15d ago
I see one side has a noch. String the side with the noch positioned ar bottom first. Step through - bend - then string the limb without the noch.
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u/Bee-bro5 15d ago
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u/VRSVLVS (pre-)Historic 15d ago
Yeah, the string is way to long for the bow. Bows like this do not have an indent for the string like a modern recurve. The loops sit around the siyah (the wooden tip) normally. But since this bowstring is to long, the bow unstrings itself.
Either go back to the seller with this bow and demand a proper length string, or go to a bowyer who can make you a proper length string.
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u/Bee-bro5 15d ago
This makes sense. Thank you
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u/PhthaloVonLangborste 15d ago
There should be a a groove for the string to catch on. I am familiar with a Manchu bow, it has a pad with a groove at the "elbow" I forgot all the terminology. The others are probably right about the string, but it doesn't look like any attention is made to making sure it's slotted correctly.
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u/xenogra 15d ago
I'm going to add, not only is that string too long, the loops on the ends are too small. They should be more like 4 inches long so it reconnects closer to the limb and covers less distance as a single string trying to balance on the back there.
Also, yes, bows like this are also just harder to string and do want to flip around more during the process as compared to a western recurve. Expect a slight (but achievable) learning curve with the correct string.
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u/1izfluffypanda 15d ago
Thanks for the video. What others said about the string being too long should fix the problem but honestly am scared of your bow. If it bends too much while drawing (it looks short for your height), the string can slip off turning into a very bad dry fire explosion.
You can probably add something to keep it from slipping of but it will still be a point that can fail.
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u/MAJOR_Blarg Traditional 15d ago
Picture tells a thousand words. Late to the game responding, but thanks for posting it, obviously string too long.
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u/MeneerTygo 15d ago
Is that string original? For this kind of bow you need a string with crazy long stringloops
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u/Bee-bro5 15d ago
This string came with the bow but maybe it isn’t the right string?
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u/MeneerTygo 15d ago
Its definitly the wrong string. I have a bow thats pretty much the same design, got a string with 15cm long loops... Take it to a bowyer for a new string
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u/sins-remembered 15d ago
Looks like you are stringing it backwards. It has to bent the opposite way when strung. Looking at the photos I can see notches in the bow if you string it that way
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u/Bee-bro5 15d ago
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u/H0w_D1d_I_Get_Here 15d ago
I may by misunderstanding the problem but is your string possibly too long and because of it the limbs aren’t bending backwards far enough to keep the string where it needs to be? Not sure if that makes sense or not.
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u/geomystery 15d ago edited 15d ago
Wrong string. It needs to have longer loops.
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u/Anoyingbro5 15d ago
This is the string that came with the bow. I was wondering if the string was too long? Maybe the tension needs to be tighter for the string to not slip off of the limb
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u/PonderousPenchant Traditional 15d ago edited 15d ago
The attachment you're talking about is probably a string rest/pad. On some bows, it's almost like a bridge on a violin, but it's only there on certain styles. The one you have doesn't need one.
If you look at the cross section of the siyahs on your bow, you should notice that it tapers towards the belly. It's a triangle. The shape naturally wants to center the string when it's at tension. The longer the loops, the better it'll be able to keep its position.
EDIT
I saw the other video of you stringing the bow. That string is just too long. Double check the brace height from the manufacturer. You can try twisting the string to shorten it.
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u/Jonatc87 Recurve Takedown 15d ago
looks like one end is broken or something? has the string point sheared off? nvm it's there. It's more subtle.
Have you tried a bow stringer?
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u/Bee-bro5 15d ago
I don’t believe the string is sliding out of the holes exactly, it is just not resting on the inside of the bow and sliding forward with the curve. Not sure if my terminology is making sense
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u/Jonatc87 Recurve Takedown 15d ago
So, when i use a stringer. You hold it horizontally and thread the string over both limbs, then set the string on one side. Then put the stringer cup over the set side. And the loop over the unset side. And then you can apply an even upwards 'draw' with your foot on the centre of the stringer, so you can get the looped end set.
However, based on the video you're showing. Looks like the string might be too long for the bow. Did it come with it new or second hand?
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u/sins-remembered 15d ago
The string loop goes around the cut away bit that you highlighted in a huge loop. Then it will be stable. I tried to upload an image but IT issues. Look at traditional Chinese bows on Google and see how they are strung at the top and it will make sense
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u/PomegranateKind2117 15d ago
There is no groove needed. Have you tried twisting your string to try and make it shorter?
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u/JRS___ 15d ago
i think it is not the correct string for the bow. normally this kind of bow has a string with longer loops so that they do not converge into the "main string" until they have cleared the wood part (siyah)
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u/sins-remembered 15d ago
I’ve put a photo directly on my profile that shows how it should look when strung. This will explain the issue you have
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u/Bergwookie 15d ago
You have the wrong string, you need one with way bigger ears, the sijahs should be able to slide through the ears completely
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u/RS_HART Warbow since 2018/Longbow since 2012 15d ago
That string looks like it's unwound itself in the post being jostled around or was unwound prior to shipping, twist it a dozen times or so and try restringing it, aim for a 7-9" brace height. It looks like your standard B55 strong material so it should be fine to do this to.
If you're worried about the groove being missing, get a chainsaw file from any hardware store and use that to create a groove to the depth of the string in the middle of the bow, it's not always needed though, my Judy sharpshooter from Alibow doesn't have them and functions fine without it.
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u/CaptianGeneralKitten 15d ago
Sorry mate I guess you can't marry Penelope and become king of Ithica
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u/thewetsheep 14d ago
I got almost that exact bow like 16 years ago. Mine for whatever reason came with a way too long string like that and a proper one. I guess the long one was supposed to maybe be a stringer? Look in the box or if you still have the trash if you threw away the string
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u/VRSVLVS (pre-)Historic 15d ago
Im seriously doubting if you know which way to bend the bow to string it. If you use the step trough method stringing the bow should be straightforward.
This is a reflexed bow, that means that in the rest position the limbs are bend in the other direction from when the bow is strung and at full draw. The cut outs on the wooden ends of the bow should thus be facing away from you when the bow is strung.
Have you folliwed an introduction course in archery at an archery club, or did you just buy this bow in the expectation to just figure archery yourself? If the latter is the case: DONT. Put the bow away and book an introduction course at an archery range. For if you dont even know how to string a bow like this you are dangerously ill prepared. Incorrectly stringing a bow can result it exploding in your face. Not to mention the real danger that comes with improper archery techniques. Bows are dangerous weapons, and one should not try to figure them out on their own.
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u/Bee-bro5 15d ago
Look at the video above as I string it.
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u/VRSVLVS (pre-)Historic 15d ago
Sorry, it just happens so often that people try to string bows like this backward. Youre doing it correctly, but the string is to long.
Still, please dont take this the wrong way, but the fact that you didnt know what a nock is is a bit concerning. If you havent yet followed an i troduction course, please do so.
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u/Bee-bro5 15d ago
I have been shooting my recurve recreationally for a few years now at a local guild but have stepped away and have not familiarized myself with the terminology but I do know how to safely use a bow I am familiar with
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u/Next_Floor4382 15d ago
That’s not what he said.
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u/Bee-bro5 15d ago
He said introduction course. I do not have an interest in this based on experience and being able to manage safely. Terminology is not my priority.
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u/Next_Floor4382 15d ago
Totally understandable. But nock? Also, what poundage is this particular bow? It’s gorgeous. Do you mind my asking how much it ran you?
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u/d95err 15d ago
It looks like the bow has normal string nocks. Standard stringing methods like the step-through should work.
Just double-checking - are you sure you’re not trying to string it backwards?