How did I come to this conclusion and decision?

One day I engaged in a conversation with one of the textile engineers at a local Magnavox plant that was also a bowhunter. I recall asking him about what was best protective substance to use for bow strings. Some shooters were using "Sno Seal."

I recall him stating "None!" He then proceeded to explain why he was opposed to applying any substance to a bow string, which was basically what I stated in my original post. He also said that if a bow string surface starts to show signs of frizzing (fuzz) and you apply a substance to smooth out the string; you are not repairing or stopping the wear, you are disguising it. Made sense to me.

From that time on, I have installed and shot in new strings prior to the start of every season.

What is your opinion?

 

The wax is incredibly helpful for Flemish twist string construction. Holds the twists together and I use friction with a piece of leather to generate heat and stretch the string for first time install. I agree that waxing the fuzz down probably does not repair the string

 

I really never gave it any thought. I wax my strings occasionally. I use a mix of waxes. I know there are synthetic waxes as well for modern strings. Living in CA and Az I don’t get rained on that much so haven considered the string material attracting water. when Not in use I keep my bows in some sort of case or bow sock.

 

I have waxed my strings for the last fifty five years and it’s has kept them in great shape and they last for many years. I don’t recall any string manufacturers recommending to not wax strings.

 

Being in the boat canvas business for over thirty years and have used both Dacron canvas and Dacron string I can’t agree with your statement, Dacron canvas and string will absorb water if not treated with water repellents. Dacron is DuPont‘s name for a polyester they make. Technically, a single monofilament fiber won’t absorb water by itself but when you bundle the fibers together they will unless a repellent is applied.

 

I remember seeing one of Jake Kaminski’s videos where he says he never waxes his strings but I don’t recall the reason he gave.

 

I just watched that video. He stated he replaces his strings once or twice a year and only used wax if he is shooting in the rain.

I use Bohnimg Seal-Tite. It is silicone lubricated bowstring wax. I don’t know it that makes any difference or not, because I don’t hunt or shoot in the rain.

 

Tracker1: You are not disagreeing with with me. I simply parroted what I was told by the engineer, and stated what I do and don't do based on his his information and advice. Never said, and am not saying, everyone else should also follow suit.

I have not waxed my bow strings for years and have never had one fail. Then too, I install a new string on all my bows I have used, every year. However, out of curiosity, I will ask; how does "bundling" allow the individual strands to absorb moisture if the strand material is impervious to moisture absorption?

 

A grain of sand will not absorb water but a cup will.

 

I always wax my 8125 strings, once a week. I notice them starting to fray if I don't, right around where the string grazes my armguard. If I don't wax my strings, they last half as long.

I figure if it's good for Olympians, it's not going to hurt my archery either.

 

This is interesting for sure. I use D97 for my flemish strings and use Allen Bowstring wax and do the same with a piece of leather. No, it doea not repair the string, it smoothes it out. I just wonder if the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.

 

I've never had a string fail, either. I have worn out a bunch of Dacron strings, though. On my old workhorse Martin bow that I used to put a couple hundred shots a day on, the Dacron string would last about six to nine months. I seldom wax a string. The first area to fuzz up and wear off is the three or four inches just below the center serving. When it starts to look like a piece of yarn, I build a new string.

 

Seems reasonable.. I wonder if string strands rub more and wear more without some lube.

Replacing strings annually would drive me nuts. I think I replaced one string in the last decade due to wear. ~10k shots annually, ~1 new bow a year that gets good use. Since it usually takes me 1.5 tries to get a flemish twist bowstring built "right," replacing regularly would be an issue to me.

 

"A grain of sand will not absorb water but a cup will."

But, as you said, the sand grain will not absorb water. Additionally, how does that relate to a single strand of Dacron?

 

When I make a flemish string beeswax is what I use. It would be difficult to make one without using some kind of wax. Then through the life of the string I will give the occasional application of more bees wax. Not much more to say as they serve their function as one would expect. I replace my strings about every two years, but they are still serviceable and I keep them as spares. I've hunted in very dusty conditions and very wet conditions. I guess I'd have more to discuss about my shoes and socks than my waxed bow string.

 

. . . use a mixture of beeswax and Colophony and other ingredients . . .

to prevent chafing & dirt of the interior individual strands of the string.

The Colophony acts for a “varnish” to repel dirt.

I don’t worry about the exterior of string - rather than outright cuts - the interior is subject to wear & catastrophic breakage.

regards,

John

 

Even if the strands do not absorb water, capillary action will pull the water into the bundle of strands and hold it there. I would be surprised if any appreciable amount of water would absorb into my flemish string between the loops, because when one puts back twists in the string before making the second loop, the center part of the string has a smooth surface. I would think that this will keep dirt and moisture at a minimum if any.

 

If I don't wax my Fast Flight Flemish Twist strings reasonably regularly, they would not survive even 3 hunts. I have learned this the hard and expensive way. They are in contact with wood and leaf matter every minute en route when bush hunting, and sometimes even stone when on a subalpine hunt. I apply 100% pure beeswax and they are incredibly resilient to all of the above. Never going back.

 

I am giving 2 grandsons each a recurve bow from my inventory and schooling them on bow care, setups, and tuning, and all the many aspects of building their own gear. Both bows are bows that I have had for many years. Telling them that of the many bows I have owned, I have never had a bow fail. Once I have passed on my knowledge to them, what they do or not do is on them.

The necessity of waxing a bowstring is just one aspect. Told them that I don't and why, but it will be their choice whether they do or not do.

PS: Schooling them has alerted me as to how much is involved in learning to setup, shoot, and care for a bow. Then comes the basic knowledge a person should have to hunt certain game with a bow. I can understand why so many new stick shooters become frustrated and give up.

 

I can understand why so many new stick shooters become frustrated and give up.

I do too. But human achievements and self-knowledge only come through study and mastery - like all the martial arts, sports, skills and sciences. Every difficult art presents an incredible opportunity to learn about our weaknesses, our lack of self-discipline. Shooting with a stick and string is right up there as regards this. It's not for the lazy or distracted.

 

Interesting that we didn't hear from string makers. I shoot flemish twist and the waxing in required for making them.
I guess you could wax a string, weigh it, soak it in water over night and the reweigh it to see if waxed strings do absorbed water.

 

This is a really interesting topic.
I think 782GearUSMC has argued his case very well ....
For those who advocate waxing strings, what are the benefits of waxing and how do you know waxing does what you think it does?

 

Interesting question. For me over fifty years of shooting has proved to me that waxing is a good thing. I shoot and have shot for many years almost everyday. Once my strings have done any break in set I get very little creep and my strings lasts for years whether recurve, compound, or crossbow. My strings stay looking good with no fuzz or fraying. As far as getting wet I never remember that being an issue hunting in wet weather.

 

Tracker1 ... do you attribute the lack of creep and the lack of fuzz and fraying of your strings to the application of a wax coating? ... or could it be ....
You could just make very good tight strings that dont creep and have an archery style that's a clean release without abrasion

 

"we've always done it this way"..............preconceived notions can & do play into a large part of our makeup. no I don't wear makeup.

 

You're right Steve
Even though I've had countless conversations with material scientist and Polymer scientists about wax and strings and I know it serves no real purpose ..... and yet ... I still wax my strings every now and again to keep them looking nice and neat and to give that solid homogeneous feel ..

 

You're right Steve
Even though I've had countless conversations with material scientist and Polymer scientists about wax and strings and I know it serves no real purpose ..... I still wax my strings every now and again to keep them looking nice and neat and to give that solid homogeneous feel ..

I always carried wax in my quiver. The only reason I don't wax my string often, is because I am lazy and forget. That is until I see it fray. Then I apply wax just to make me feel better and make believe it isn't frayed!

 

FYI From BCYs FAQ responses: - John

10. Question: Is it necessary to use "special" wax with certain types of bowstring material?
Answer: Not really. There are four main reasons for using wax on a bowstring.
1. To lubricate the fibers and prevent "fiber to fiber" abrasion
2. To help keep the "bundle" of strands together
3. To maintain and extend the life of the string
4. To help prevent water absorption

BCY applies a generous amount of synthetic wax in liquid form, which insures that from its origin the bowstring material is well lubricated inside and out. It is this process which gives the material its basic protection from fiber to fiber abrasion and helps keep the bundle of strands together. Generally the type of wax used would be a good quality standard "tacky" wax. At this stage it would be unusual for the wax to include silicone which is very slick and, particularly in the case of Flemish strings, makes it difficult to convert the bowstring material into a finished bowstring. However, after the string is made, it is recommended that the archer look for a "maintenance" wax that contains some silicone because a wax blended with silicone penetrates the string material very well and keeps the inside fibers lubricated as well as the outside. Wax can be applied with fingers, with a cloth, or with a chamois leather. It should be applied frequently and rubbed well into the string.

11. Question: Is it okay to wax the serving material on a bowstring?
Answer: It is best to restrict waxing serving except on extreme wear areas. The center serving on a Crossbow needs to be kept lubricated but there is no need to wax compound / recurve center servings.

 

Why do the manufacturers wax the string at the factory? I know it helps with twisting a flemish string, but is is necessary the keep waxing the string? If we are talking about abrasion between the strands, would "not" waxing cause more abrasion when the string is pulled? I know when I am walking to a hunting spot I have to walk through tall grass/brush, I hold my bow pointing forward, with the string down, to make my way through the woods, so I know the string is getting brushed.

So I did a general search and found this: How Often Should You Wax Your Bowstring? - AimCampExplore

Why should I wax my bowstring?
There is no sense having an expensive bow and arrows and neglecting your bowstring. The bowstring is what helps combine the performance of the limbs and is equally important with a compound bow, recurve or longbow.

By waxing the bowstring, it helps lubricate the individual bowstring strands, fibers and bundles. When the bow is drawn back the individual strands and bundles stretch and move parallel to each other. The wax helps to reduce abrasion and protects them from dust, dirt and grime on and in the bowstring.

Waxing also helps prevent the string from absorbing water and making the bowstring heavier.

A water soaked bowstring can be very sluggish and reduce arrow speed, this then will affect accuracy. If you have every fired the bow in wet conditions with a soggy bowstring, you know that the string will spray water everywhere and the bows performance drops dramatically.

For very dry and hot conditions waxing helps prevent the material from drying out and deteriorating.

Waxing the bowstring also helps the bundles stay together when making bowstrings, like Flemish twist strings.

This all makes sense to me. Not saying anyone else is wrong, I just have a different opinion.