How Often Should You Change Bow Strings (Compound Bow) 2023

Shooting bows is all fun and games until your bowstring gets into bad shape and turns brittle. Regardless of your shooting routine, you must know how often should you change bow strings. It is a basic maintenance process that every bow owner must carry out. 

Generally, we advise changing the string of your bow after two to three years of use. The time could vary based on frequency of use and bowstring conditions. If you use the bow every week throughout the year, you may see signs of wear and tear in 1 to 2 years. Moreover, if the peep sight is rotating, it is time to restring your bow.

The final decision of changing it comes down to the condition of the bowstring. If you find it worsening before the average time, don’t think twice and replace it. We have mentioned easy ways to figure out the best time to change your bowstring in this article. 

A Detailed Guide – How Often Should You Change Bow Strings?

Removing the old bowstrings and adding the new ones requires skills. But before changing them, make sure that the string is actually no more usable. So, how long does a bow string last? The average lifespan is two to three years for most strings. 

Sometimes it doesn’t last more than one year. Regular users end up replacing the bowstring once a year or sometimes twice a year based on the frequency of use. They do so to continue shooting without any inconvenience. 

So, how can you figure out when the bowstring needs a replacement? Thankfully, the string shows some prominent signs that every archer can easily detect and get a new string.

Signs That Indicate Deterioration Of Bowstrings

Using a worn-out string results in inaccuracy and poor performance of the bow. Moreover, you can also face some safety issues if you continue shooting without changing the bow. 

As soon as you observe a change in performance, look for the following signs to determine whether or not the bowstring needs to be changed.

Fraying

Whenever you draw the string, all the strands in it rub with each other as well as with the arrow and create friction in every single of them. When used regularly, this friction results in the fraying of the threads. Some of the strands from the string will start breaking while a very few are still attached. This is called fuzzing or fraying. 

When there is small fraying i.e., very few fibers break, you can continue using the bow unless it alters the performance. When you see minor fuzzing, it is ideal to apply a bit of wax on the area so that the thread doesn’t come out but sticks with others. 

However, as it starts getting noticeable, you must replace it as soon as possible. Never try to continue with heavy fraying. You never know when the remaining strands can break and if they do while you are drawing the bow, it can cause very serious consequences. 

Dry Strands

Bowstrings are likely to dry out when used routinely every week. If you are such a regular user, it is your responsibility to keep the string waxed all the time. The best way to determine is by touching the string. If it feels waxy, you are good to go. Whereas, if it doesn’t make sure to wax it.

If you keep using the dry strands, they will be prone to damage such as fraying, fuzzing, and ultimately, breakage. In case you notice any of these signs, consider replacing the bowstring with a new one. 

Knicks or Cuts

Fraying results in knicks i.e., breakage of the strands. If you notice even a single knick or cut, change the string immediately. Look for cuts near the peep sight, or serving separations on your compound bows.

Look For Creep

An overly increased bowstring is commonly termed a ‘creep’ among archers. It is another great indication that the bowstring needs replacement. When you draw the string, it stretches more every time. Initially, you might not notice but as the stretchability increases, you will observe the uneasiness while drawing with time. 

An abnormally stretched bowstring never gives a good performance. This happens a lot more frequently with the string of the bows that are stored in humid conditions. 

How Often To Restring Compound Bow?

Similar to recurve and longbows, you should restring a compound bow every 2 to 5 years at most. However, this time span can highly vary based on the usability and type of string. 

For hunters with professional compound bows for hunting, seasonal use and perfect conditioned bow is crucial. Thus, it may need to ne restringed every year.

Conclusion

Strings are the major component of every bow that if not maintained properly, it can alter the aim of compound bow and downgrade the overall experience. That said, every archer and bow hunter should know how often should you change bow strings. 

Keeping in mind the indicators, make sure to keep an eye on the string of your bow and change it as soon as it shows any signs of damage.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)