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 1 post, newest firstShowing 1 post for recurve shooters, newest firstShowing 1 post for longbow shooters, newest firstShowing 1 post for compound shooters, newest first
// 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.
// Free printable
Get the range log I actually use.
Seventeen printable pages: session log, score tracker, a 30-day drill challenge, a bow maintenance card, a first-season checklist and more. Join the monthly email and it lands right away.
