Frayed String, when to replace?

[Clint Voris]

Hi gang;

I'm new to recurves, and just bought a Martin Jaguar.  I noticed a small fray, near the serving, on the bottom limb.  See image.

When is it time to replace a string?  What does a real fray look like?  Does this string need waxed?

Thanks for your input!

Yours,

Clint    

[bowhntineverythingnh03743]

I always wax my string down after shooting. If it is white and looks dry replace it. Under $15 dollars for a new one or build one yourself will cost less than having one break on you and cause injury.

Better be safe than sorry!

Justin

[Brock]

wax mine a few times a year really good and do random touch ups as I notice dry spots or if it shows signs of wear.  I run it liberally from loop to loop even on serving...and then rub with leather to heat it up and work into fibers.  I dont do it every time I shoot...but about every two months on the bow I am hunting with at the moment.

never had string break on me in 23 years....usually replace every 3-5 years but I switch between 3-4 regular bows for each season.

if in doubt...wax it up....shoot it and see if it gets worse...if not then dont worry and if you cant see individual strings.  If you can see strings coming apart....replace it now as it may have been cut or been up against something abrasive.  I guess it is just an area without as much wax on it.  Shoot it in....get it set for good arrow flight.  Then buy and do the same to a new string...put the original in baggy, label for bow name and such....and save as backup as it is shot in and stretched and all is good.
Then leave the new string on all the time....gives you peace of mind...and ensures a good back up string if the unfortunate ever happens while afield.

[Pat B]

If it is frayed, wax it. If you are unsure of it, replace it. Strings are cheap to buy and way cheaper to make...and very easy to make.

[LC]

Well I do agree strings are cheap to buy or better yet cheaper to make your own. Heres my humble opinion, if it's fraying it's showing signs of breaking down or wear. Either from abrasion or fibers in the strands actually stressed and breaking down. ALL THE WAXING IN THE WORLD will not put it back to new condition. It just makes it look better to you! False sense of security. Now the difference of when to replace depends if your using a 8 strand skinny string (which I like or use) or a 18 strand barge rope! lol I don't even wax my strings as I'm of the thought process it just draws or atracks dust, weeds, grit, etc and causes it to become like sandpaper. The next question is HOW MANY twists is in your string? If you had to twist and twist and keep twisting your string to make it the right length or brace height you've accomplished two things. You've made a worthless string and you've made a string with a weak stress point where the twisting abruptly stops at the loop section regardless if endless or flemish. I just spin me  a new one and like everyone said keep the old one for a spare.

In case Roy from LA reads this "I'm cheap just not so cheap to keep using a fraying string!"    

[LC]

TTT so those slow folks like Roy from LA can learn from us rednecks!