• Registered: 2024-12-15
  • Posts: 2

Topic: Help with stringing

Hi,

I got my first gakgung. I have made a self bows before and even a few sinew backed wood bows but this is my first horn bow. It is a 55 pound bow and highly reflexed. I have bought dojigae and even with them, I am having a hard time strining it. I store the bow at about 35% RH and 29 c. Any tips on how to string it alone? I dont have a gungchang. Do I need one?

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  • Registered: 2012-06-12
  • Posts: 415
  • User Karma: 17

Re: Help with stringing

Yeah the gungchang is pretty essential.  You can always make one yourself.  You need at least that and the dojigae.  After you get the dojigae on using the gungchang, leave them on for at least 24 hours.  Then you can string using the step through method.  You don't have to get on the floor with it like the Koreans do btw.  Just be careful.  After that, you will likely have to do adjustments involving flexing and massaging and then even some heating using a hot plate as the bow will likely have twists and need correction.  This video shows the whole process and some of the massaging and heating techniques you'll have to do:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vov5Nr0GXoY

After applying heating and massaging, you may have to repeat the bracing process using the dojigae again for 24 hours and then restring.  Eventually it should reach equilibrium.

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  • Registered: 2024-12-15
  • Posts: 2

Re: Help with stringing

geoarcher wrote:

Yeah the gungchang is pretty essential.  You can always make one yourself.  You need at least that and the dojigae.  After you get the dojigae on using the gungchang, leave them on for at least 24 hours.  Then you can string using the step through method.  You don't have to get on the floor with it like the Koreans do btw.  Just be careful.  After that, you will likely have to do adjustments involving flexing and massaging and then even some heating using a hot plate as the bow will likely have twists and need correction.  This video shows the whole process and some of the massaging and heating techniques you'll have to do:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vov5Nr0GXoY

After applying heating and massaging, you may have to repeat the bracing process using the dojigae again for 24 hours and then restring.  Eventually it should reach equilibrium.


That is very helpful. Do you have any guides on how to make a gungchang? I guess it is simple enough. I tred to string it on the floor but I find the dojigae ends bit into my thigh and I have caused a few bark nicks.

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