Why do I wax my string?

[hvyhitter]

Wax is a lubricant so that the strands can slide agaist each other a bit under tension and equalize the pulling weight among all the strands........also it helps keep the dirt and crud on the outside of the string.........

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Originally posted by reddogge:
Why overthink an old axiom of archery? Apply beeswax, rub vigerously with a piece of leather and shoot your string with confidence it is protected. Why do you need scientific details and data? Not to create a dust up but you seem to overthink the simple game of archery on occaission.

I'm with the red dog here... bees wax and leather is all i've ever used.

but.... "What ever waxes your string" is good.  

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Originally posted by Kirkll:
 

Originally posted by reddogge:
Why overthink an old axiom of archery? Apply beeswax, rub vigerously with a piece of leather and shoot your string with confidence it is protected. Why do you need scientific details and data? Not to create a dust up but you seem to overthink the simple game of archery on occaission.

I'm with the red dog here... bees wax and leather is all i've ever used.

but.... "What ever waxes your string" is good.      [/b]

So he thinks about what he's doing. Not too bad if you consider all the people who dont. Personally I like to know why I do What I do.  I agree sometimes its best not to overthink but its nice to ask questions about "why". Its fun.  

   

 but.... "What ever waxes your string" is good.

Thats a good saying, I think I may use it.

[bucksbuouy]

wax is your friend. just use it!

[LC]

"also it helps keep the dirt and crud on the outside of the string........."
How's it know the outside versus the inside of the string? Just asking? lol

I know for a fact that metal cable doesn't and dirt or rust is the same. For me I roll my own and when it "frays" waxing  it back to it's original thickness doesn't mean it's back to it's original thickness it just means I need to "roll" my own again.

[ironmike]

bees wax worked in with friction by a small strip of leather,it does alot,lube's the string,allows each strand to average its tension(properly made string)adds to quiet by dampening strands from eachother when the release makes brace hight(that when the individual strands slap each other tightening up suddenly,(the strands relax at full draw as that is the lowest tension period of the cycle,maximum is at brace hight).

[Zradix]

So, I guess it's really mostly for 3 reasons.

1st. as a lube
String fibers that aren't lubed tend to "cut" into each other and fray out to the "fuzz"

2. as a "sheath"

Helps keep the dirt out of in between the strands where the dirt can/would cause the most abrasive harm...

3. makes sense that some lube will help the fibers even themselves out in tension.


OK..That all sounds good.


In that case, I would think the best thing to do is use a slick lube on the string to lube it internally.

Then rub on/in a good "sheath' of wax on the outside to keep the whole string free of debris.

Thanks to those who helped!