Archery is a sport that is enjoyed by many people all over the world, but it's not exactly inexpensive.
By far, the bow itself is the biggest expense you have when getting into the sport of archery. But you should really look at it as more of an investment.
For professional archers, archery is much more than just a relaxing hobby -- their bow can be their livelihood. And, if you use your bow for hunting, it can even be a valuable source of food
Unfortunately, over time, bows can wear out. They get old. Strings fray and break; lamination on limbs can separate; cams can seize up.
Here are a few ideas to maintain your bow so it will provide enjoyment for years to come:
Apply Proper Bowstring Wax
Your bowstring is made up of a cable of many different strands of fibers. When the bow fires, these fibers actually rub against each other due to friction, causing “fuzzy areas” on the bowstring and weak points in the cable over time. The best way to keep your bowstring strong is to apply a proper bowstring wax as soon as you notice this fuzz start developing. Bowstring wax is made specifically for bows, and you should not experiment with other types of wax. Some waxes contain petroleum or other chemicals which will eat away at the fibers of your string -- exactly what you were applying the wax to protect against.
Inspect Laminated Limbs Regularly
Compound bows are made out of multiple layers of composite material that are glued together. Sometimes, usually through a manufacturer’s defect, these layers of material can separate which will eventually spell certain doom for your bow. If you can catch this separation before the limb breaks, you can usually get it replaced by the manufacturer. Once the bow is destroyed by the limb breaking -- all bets are off.
Keep Bow in a Humidity-Controlled Environment
Bows, especially wooden ones, are sensitive to environmental conditions. During humid times of the year your bow will swell, and during dry times of the year it will shrink. These constant changes can wreak havoc on the tuning of your bow. You can prevent a lot of these humidity changes just by storing your bow indoors away from extreme weather changes.
Check for Ice Before Firing
North American hunters typically use their bow during the coldest time of the year as it usually corresponds to deer season. The bad thing about this is that your bow can accumulate ice; one of the bow’s worst enemies.
Ice can freeze strings causing them to become brittle and snap. Imagine being on a weeks-long hunting expedition only to have your bowstring snap. It wouldn’t be fun and there would likely be no way to get it repaired in the field.
More than that, ice can actually accumulate inside the cam grooves underneath the bowstring -- which can actually push the bowstring off the cam as it rolls. There have been many stories about bows “exploding” as the string rolls off the cam because of ice.
Some companies produce a de-icer designed for bows, but more importantly, visually check your bow for ice accumulation before firing. Don't let water or melting snow sit on your bow in cold weather.
Your bow is an investment, and by following these simple maintenance tips, you can keep it operating for years to come.
Richard Silvers - My wife and I are practitioners of a paleolithic diet. Much of my writing covers the topics of health, nutrition, fitness, and weight ...
Join the Conversation