How to Unstring a Recurve Bow | 60X Custom Bow Strings

Should you unstring a recurve bow? Learning to unstring and restring a recurve bow empowers you to handle your own bow maintenance. Because recurve bows are constantly under a tremendous amount of pressure, it’s very important that you remove your old string properly to prevent possible injury and/or damage to your bow. Follow these steps to prepare your bow for a replacement string.

Get a Bow Stringer

You may be tempted to try removing your string by hand. Don’t do it. There’s too much risk and one tiny slip-up can cause serious injuries. A bow stringer is an affordable device that makes learning how to unstring a recurve bow much easier and safer. A bow stringer is simply a length of cord that either has a leather pocket on each end or just one pocket and a saddle.

Apply the Pocket to the Bow’s Lower Limb

Start by placing the pocket over the lower limb of your bow. If your bow stringer has two pockets, use the larger one. Make sure the pocket fits snugly over the bow’s limb.

Apply the Other Pocket (or Saddle) to the Upper Limb

Now you’re going to do the same thing on the other end. This is where the two types of bow stringers will affect how you learn to unstring a recurve bow. If your bow stringer has a second pocket, use that. If it has a saddle, you’re going to loop the end of the saddle over your bow’s upper limb and then rest the pad against the curve below the string’s nock. Depending on your bow stringer, you may need to continue applying pressure on this end.

Step on the Cord

It’s important to note that this is only a general guide on how to unstring a recurve bow. You may find that holding your bow in a different position is more comfortable, and that’s okay. 

With your strongest hand, grasp the center of the bow close to the upper limb. Hold the middle of the handle with your other hand. The bow’s string should be facing forward and parallel to the ground. 

Next, lower the bow to the ground until the stringer’s cord — not your bow string — is resting on the ground. Keeping your feet shoulder-width apart, step down firmly on the stringer’s cord.

Lift the Bow

Slowly pull the bow back up until you’re in a standing position again or until the bow string is slack. The cord’s stringer should replace the tension, leaving you and your string ready to learn the final steps of how to unstring a recurve bow

Remove the String

Slide the loose string off the top limb. Do the same on the bottom limb.

Lower the Bow

Finally, keeping your feet planted firmly on the stringer’s cord, lower the bow to release the tension. You can now remove the bow stringer, and now you’re ready to restring your recurve bow.

Contact 60X Custom Bow Strings for Help

If you have any questions about how you should unstring a recurve bow or get stuck along the way, our experts are happy to help. Call our pro shop at 724-525-3972 or message us online. We carry the best custom recurve bow strings available on the market, so don’t wait to learn how to unstring your recurve bow yourself and change your string. Having the right bow string makes a difference, so upgrade your bow today with quality strings at affordable prices.