[Remote]

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.

 

[wstrayer]

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.

 

[GilV]

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.

 

[Phil]

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?

 

[Tracker1]

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.

 

[Phil]

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

 

[stevelong]

"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.

 

[Phil]

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 ..

 

[GilV]

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!

 

[Remote]

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 ..

Waxing may indeed not have any purpose as regards humidity, but it makes no sense for any to claim that a coat of wax - an outer layer - on the string does not provide some or much protection against wear and tear, in particular contact with other objects.

 

[jhinaz]

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.

 

[Rick Harrelson]

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.

 

[782GearUSMC]

As this discussion proceeds, keep the differing opinions and information on an informative basis, not that you should not because I do not. In the end it's the individual's prerogative to do or not do based on the information provided.

For me, I eventually concluded that applying any substances to my bowstring may more detrimental than beneficial. That's my story and I'm stickin' to it.

 

[Nuthatch]

Does anyone know what primitive archers do to care for strings made of sinew or plant fibers?

 

[stevelong]

jhinaz I like bcy's point 1 - - To lubricate the fibers and prevent "fiber to fiber" abrasion - - it speaks to me.

 

[Salskov]

jhinaz I like bcy's point 1 - - To lubricate the fibers and prevent "fiber to fiber" abrasion - - it speaks to me.

jhinaz I like bcy's point 1 - - To lubricate the fibers and prevent "fiber to fiber" abrasion - - it speaks to me.

. . . I repeat . . .

“. . . 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

 

[Phil]

jhinaz I like bcy's point 1 - - To lubricate the fibers and prevent "fiber to fiber" abrasion - - it speaks to me.

The problem is, for there to be abrasion, there needs to be relative motion between one fiber and another . Seeing as all the fibers of the string are under the same tension at brace and under the same but increased tension at maimum full draw load, where and how does the asymmetry of position of the fibers happen?

 

[GilV]

Just remembered another use for string wax. Since I am doing some fletching now, I used to rub it on my clamp to keep the glue from sticking.

 

[Salskov]

The problem is, for there to be abrasion, there needs to be relative motion between one fiber and another . Seeing as all the fibers of the string are under the same tension at brace and under the same but increased tension at maimum full draw load, where and how does the asymmetry of position of the fibers happen?

Phil -

Watch a wet mooring line in increasing tension.
The line will shed water from the interior of the line.
Both longitudinally & axially . . .
The amount of twist increases the propensity of the relative motion.

(. . . a boatbuilder’s opinion . . .)

regards,

John

 

[stevelong]

PHIL - consider after release the string is a loose goose 'tween the release and return to brace - NOT going directly as a unit from anchor to brace - it flips and flops all over so strands are bound to rub each other inconsistently in the transition. Some lube will decrease the abrasion is my middle of the road thought.