Recurve Bow

[assistant77]

I have a recurve bow which has been in storage for quite some time. Is it better to remove the bow string when storing a recurve bow long term, or to leave it stretched on the bow?

 

[Hunter125]

On a recurve, yes. Some guys I know take the strings off their recurves after each time they shoot.

 

[wheelgunslinger]

I gave one to my uncle, he left it strung and standing behind a door for about 6 months. Bent limb.

Unstring it when you don't use it. Only takes .5 second.

 

[Flintknapper]

Don't leave recurves or longbows strung any more than necessary, period.

If you don't plan to use it (say within 48 hrs.) un-string it, it just takes a couple of seconds.

 

[assistant77]

thanks for the input guys, very helpfull

 

[Freedom_fighter_in_IL]

I even drop the weight to the lowest possible on compound bows when storing. When you leave a recurve or longbow strung, you are literally taking the energy out of the limbs. I think the latest materials used to make the limbs can withstand it much longer than traditional wood, even laminated wood, but it is still the best idea to unstring it each day. It's not only better for the limbs, but even better for the string itself.

 

[Sniper X]

I unstring my recurve. And I never leave it sitting on one limb. To sotre it I hang it from the riser on the wall and take it down every month to clean the dust off and give it a wipe down with Pledge.

 

[nmlongbow]

The recurves that I shoot more than a few times a week stay braced, often for more than a year. Those that don't get shot are stored unstrung hanging horizontal.

Modern glass backed recurves from the early 60's on are fine to leave strung as long as they aren't standing on end or in an extremely hot environment. Only unbacked bows need to unstrung daily.

Some people say you risk more damage bracing and unbracing but either way is fine as long as you're careful.