How to Make a Bow Stringer

Whether you picked up a used recurve or long bow at a yard sale, outdoors store, or made your own, a serious bow will take some serious strength to string. While you can pass it through the legs and bend it over using your leg as a fulcrum, I would strongly advise against it. If something were to go wrong down there — the bow slips or breaks –, you might injure your arrow if you catch my drift. You can pick up a bow stringer for about $10-$15 or you can make your own in about 10-15 minutes. Here’s how to do it.

How to Make a Bow Stringer

The Supplies You Need

Hammer
Large philips-head screwdriver
Spare block of wood (for hammering on)
A spare piece of leather (at least 4″ x 3″) found at any craft store
Scissors or other tool to cut the leather
Over 6′ of strong Nylon rope or other cordage
Tape measure or ruler

The supplies you’ll need before getting started.

Step 1: Cut 2 strips of leather, 1 1/2″ x 4″

Cut the leather into 1 1/2″ x 4″ strips

Step 2: Punch holes into leather with screwdriver

Place the strips of leather on top of the block of wood. Hammer the screwdriver into the leather until it easily passes through.

Note: Use a fairly large diameter screwdriver to make sure the rope will pass through with ease.

Punch hole into leather with screwdriver.

Don’t punch the hole too close to the edge.

Pass the screwdriver through a few times to stretch the hole.

Your leather strips should look something like this.

Step 3: Cut and seal the rope

Cut the rope to over 6′ in length. It is better to be on the longer side. 6.5′ is just fine. You will want the bow stringer to be fairly loose and easy to step on.

Seal the ends of the rope (if using nylon) with a match.

Note: There is evidence of about 5 projects taking place at once on my work bench!