Maintenance & Repairs
Keeping a bow and arrows in shape without a pro shop on speed dial. Simple fixes, step by step.
// Overview
Simple bow and arrow care you can do at home
A little maintenance keeps your bow safe, quiet and accurate for years. Most of it takes minutes and needs no special tools. This page covers the jobs you can do yourself.
The string needs the most attention: wax it about every 2–3 weeks and watch for the signs it needs replacing. Arrows need a quick crack check before every session.
And between sessions, store your recurve somewhere dry.
Free printable
Bow maintenance card
A one-page printable with every check, how often, and what to look for. Tape it inside your bow case. It’s a page of the free range log.
// All posts
Everything in Maintenance & Repairs
Showing all 3 posts, newest firstShowing 3 posts for recurve shooters, newest firstShowing 3 posts for longbow shooters, newest firstShowing 3 posts for compound shooters, newest first
- Bowstring Serving: How to Check and Fix ItA loose serving looks cosmetic until the nock fit changes and your arrows start wandering. Learn the 3 signs a serving is failing, which fix you need, how a center serving is re-served in 6 steps and when a new string is the answer.
- Dry Firing a Bow: Why It Breaks Bows and What to CheckOne release with no arrow sends a bow’s stored energy back into its own limbs and string, and most makers won’t cover the damage. Why a dry fire is so hard on a bow, the 6 checks before the next shot, and the habits that stop it.
- How to Wax a Bowstring in 5 Steps and How Often to Do ItA dry bowstring frays faster and can fail early. Learn to wax a string in about 5 minutes, how often to do it (every 2–3 weeks for regular shooters), why wax stays off the serving, and the signs a string needs replacing.
// FAQ
Questions I get a lot
Short answers to what beginners ask me about maintenance & repairs.
How often should I wax my bowstring?
About every 2–3 weeks, or more often if you shoot a lot or in dry conditions.
How do I know an arrow is unsafe?
Flex it gently and listen. Any crack, splinter or crunching sound means retire it. A cracked carbon arrow can shatter on release.
Should I leave my recurve strung?
Many archers unstring between sessions; check your bow’s manual.
Can I fix a cracked limb?
No. A cracked limb can fail at full draw. Replace it, and stop shooting the bow until you do.
Do I need special tools?
A bow stringer, string wax and a bow square cover most of it. A fletching jig is the next thing worth buying.
When should I replace my bowstring?
When you see fraying, separated serving, or brace height that keeps dropping. Usually every one to two years.
How do I check arrows for cracks?
Flex each arrow gently near your ear and listen for crackling. Retire any that crunch.
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